4 ms·

Many of them can't walk home from school. As the article says, most students now live too far away from school (greater than three miles), and many rural/suburb

by jerlam 2y ago

Many of them can't walk home from school. As the article says, most students now live too far away from school (greater than three miles), and many rural/suburban areas have underdeveloped sidewalks and traffic systems. If three miles sounds like not a big deal, it certainly is when you have short legs, a backpack full of books, and uncooperative weather. I was lucky enough to walk to/from school for most of my schooling. It was only around one mile and it still took 30 minutes. As an adult I would probably balk at a 90-minute commute.

bink 2y ago
Indeed. My kid could theoretically walk to/from school, but they carry a musical instrument every day along with a backpack full of all of their books. The school doesn't offer lockers anymore because they deemed it "unsafe", so all books and a big Chromebook need to come home each day (and be carried between every class).
- red-iron-pine 2y ago
  lockers are unsafe? wtf terrible school system is this?
  - cogman10 2y ago
    One that has to deal with parents either explicitly buying a handgun for their kids or leaving handguns in easily accessible locations.
- RhysU 2y ago
  I played the trombone in sixth grade. Your kid will be fine carrying anything short of a baritone by that age. It sucks to carry. Switch hands as necessary. Be selective with your books on instrument days. But he or she can manage.
mmooss 2y ago
Yes, adults walk ~2 miles/hr. 1.5 hours is too long. But there are bicycles which go ~5 times as fast. Now it's a 15-20 minute trip.
turtlebits 2y ago
Then have them walk a few blocks to where their parent is parked. There's no reason to have a line of cars idling.
bluGill 2y ago
Where I live all schools must provide bus service for kids more than 1 mile away, or if the route to school crosses a busy road. Some kids to get a city bus pass, but the yellow school bus is common. I know other states do it differently.

by jerlam 2y ago

bink 2y ago

Indeed. My kid could theoretically walk to/from school, but they carry a musical instrument every day along with a backpack full of all of their books. The school doesn't offer lockers anymore because they deemed it "unsafe", so all books and a big Chromebook need to come home each day (and be carried between every class).

red-iron-pine 2y ago
lockers are unsafe? wtf terrible school system is this?
- cogman10 2y ago
  One that has to deal with parents either explicitly buying a handgun for their kids or leaving handguns in easily accessible locations.
RhysU 2y ago
I played the trombone in sixth grade. Your kid will be fine carrying anything short of a baritone by that age. It sucks to carry. Switch hands as necessary. Be selective with your books on instrument days. But he or she can manage.

mmooss 2y ago

Yes, adults walk ~2 miles/hr. 1.5 hours is too long. But there are bicycles which go ~5 times as fast. Now it's a 15-20 minute trip.

turtlebits 2y ago

Then have them walk a few blocks to where their parent is parked. There's no reason to have a line of cars idling.

bluGill 2y ago

Where I live all schools must provide bus service for kids more than 1 mile away, or if the route to school crosses a busy road. Some kids to get a city bus pass, but the yellow school bus is common. I know other states do it differently.