Want to ride the bus? Just ask

NORTH CANAAN — A request was presented to the school board: Can all students have the option of riding a bus to school?

The school board’s answer, given at its Feb. 12 meeting, was simple: “If you want your child to ride a school bus, just ask.�

A letter signed by parents Amy Dodge and Kaitlyn Karcheski asks that the  Walking Zone restriction be discontinued. The policy calls for students in third grade and up living within a mile of school (if and when sidewalks are available) to walk. Those students are not assigned to a bus. The letter was apparently sent on behalf of the school PTO.

They noted safety concerns in the community (validated, they believe, by the school’s recent installation of a security system), as well as difficult streets to cross, harsh weather, the burden on parents compelled to drive their children to school and the traffic that creates at the school.

“All families in support of discontinuing the Walking Zone policy feel that, as we each continue to pay the same taxes, we ought also to receive the same benefits of the busing system,� they wrote.

Principal Rosemary Keilty said there are currently 62 walkers. In good weather, about 15 of them ride bicycles.

“Most of the older students like walking, even in bad weather,� Keilty said. “The only time they don’t like it is on really cold mornings.�

Although requests were carefully considered in the past, the reduced student population has made it a non-issue. Even with the reduction of a bus in the coming school year, there will still be plenty of extra room on each bus.

Board member Dolores Perotti said the recently revised bus policy is a good one that should not be changed.

“We’ve always honored requests for students to ride. There’s plenty of room on the buses and often the bus is already stopping at a house to pick up younger siblings. Just ask.�

The only objection was to discouraging the exercise that walking provides.

“I’m concerned that we are encouraging students to ride instead of walk,� board member Susan Warner said. “And I believe we still have a safe community.�

A letter will be sent out to all families advising them of the option.

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