Madison Middle School no local transport?

[Alkidancer]

My will be 6th grader was assigned to Madison. We live 1.7 miles away at the bottom of Admiral Hill. The assignment letter said no bus transportation will be provided. I did not see a Metro stop near the school when I was driving the area last week. ( Not that I was thrilled with the idea of Metro trust me) So how do they expect my child to get to and from school. Walk/ ride a bike up Admiral Hill in the pouring rain at 7am?

Any creative solutions out there? I work full time and can take him sometimes but my job requires me to be there at totally random start times. And I’m never off by 2pm when Madison lets out.

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[celeste17]

Hi, your son would have to take the 56 to admiral and then transfer to the 55. He would get off at the presbertarian church and walk about two blocks. I am not sure about the 57. But maybe you can hook up with other parents about a carpool. I am sure there are others.in the same boat.

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[GAnative]

Alkidancer – I feel your pain. My daughter is in 6th grade at Madison this year and we live on Genesee Hill, also within the 2 mile walk zone.

This year it has worked out that I can drive her to school on my way to work (full-time in Bellevue) but she has to walk home (which I DO NOT like). Most bad weather days she has managed to find a friend whose parent is able to pick them up and will drop her off at home.

But next year, with the new start time after 8am (when I have to be at work), I don’t know what I am going to do as it’s one thing for her to walk home in the rain, snow, etc and be able to change clothes as soon as she gets home but what is she supposed to do when she now has to walk to school?

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[Gina]

Catch the 56. Ride bus uphill. Get off bus at 45th. Walk 4 blocks south.

I see many kids get off the bus at that stop as I get on, so it must be popular.

Within an easy walk of the 57? Catch 57. Get off at 45th and Admiral. Walk 4 blocks south.

I would suggest wool socks, if they get wet, they still keep the feet warm. Or see if a spare pair of shoes can be kept to wear at school, and send extra pair of dry socks daily to change into.

But I wouldn’t be surprised if the spare socks and shoes weren’t used. Seems to be a badge of honor to look like a drowned rat at school!

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[mom2soren]

That’s insane.

I’m beginning to understand the frustrations with this school system. No parent should have to face their child walking 2 miles home w/out supervision of any kind in today’s society. There are predators all over the place (per kingcounty.gov).

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[maplesyrup]

It’s a bit dated now but you should read “The Culture of Fear.”

Your kids are about as likely to be struck by lightning as they are to be abducted by a predator.

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[angelescrest]

I don’t think it’s the walk. To me, it’s the being home alone after school at any age. Are there not affordable options for middle-schoolers? Community members and others willing to be, if not a babysitter, then an after-school mentor? I would be willing to do that.

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[suzanne]

I don’t know about Madison, but Denny has a lot of after school programs and my kids were able to get bus transportation home after that. We are about 1.5 miles from Denny and don’t get regular bus transportation, but my kids can get a bus after the after school program.

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[mom3]

Madison does have after school programs that run Monday through Thursday. Cartooning, dance, school sports, homework help, karate etc are some of the offering I remember. It is run in conjuction with the YMCA. The purpose of the after school programs is after school care (don’t tell the kids that – it’s ‘clubs’ or some such title.) They run until about 4:30 starting around the third week after school starts until about 2 weeks before school ends. Great stuff is offered.

Walking alone is the pits and although it is relatively safe I do share your concerns. Love those cell phones!

Walking with someone is great exercise and they can have a lot of fun with it. I do think that the kids backpacks are too heavy and if they carry an instrument it is hard.

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[GAnative]

Madison’s after school program transportation is only for those students outside the 2 mile circle.

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[Lex]

For those of you that have never put your child on a Metro bus. I recommend calling metro to get the best route and take a field trip this summer with your children. My husband is a metro driver and bids the west seattle routes he is use to getting school children on the bus and i assure you will intervene and call the police right away if there is troule. The drives will have those schedules for 3 months at a time so chances are your child will see the same driver each day and get to know them. I would also ask the school if they are willing to give your children bus passes or tokens. after all the should receive some kind of benefit for being inconvenienced. Also look into the nearby high schools to see if they have a mentor/tutor program this way they can help your child with their home work after school allowing you enough time to pick your child up or for when you get home. Get your children involved in after school sports or activities that will take up alot of the afterschool time and you won’t ahve to worry about them being at home alone. my kids are in high school now and both went to madison so i very much understand the concerns.

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