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This is the letter I wrote to the transportation center about my bus driver.
March 11, 2008

In the beginning of the school year, I ate some food on my bus, HSS 08. The bus driver warned me that I should not eat on the bus, so I did not anymore. After that I usually finish my food before I get on the bus or throw what was uneaten out in the garbage can on the bus. I usually sleep on the bus now.
Last month, I moved to a new house in the development. I did not know what I should do about my bus, so I decided that I should just keep going to school on the same bus until I get a notice. Since it took longer to walk to my old bus stop, I decided to wait at one that was closer to my new home. On February 13, it had snowed and was raining slightly. I left a little earlier than I usually do because there was snow on the sidewalk and street and I knew it would take longer to get to the bus stop, but I still did not get to the bus stop on time. The bus driver passed me and did not stop to let me in. I ran to my old bus stop, but I missed the bus there too. I was going to run to the last bus stop to try to get on. One of my old neighbors saw me and told me that she could drive me to the last stop in the development. I got in her car and she drove me there. The bus already left the stop and was going to turn at the corner. She told me to get out of the car and I did. I walked to the door and asked to be let in, but the driver motioned with his hands for me to go away. I back away a little and he drove off. My neighbor asked me if there was anyone who could drive me because she could not, and I said that my uncle could if he was home. She drove me back to my old house and I walked next door to my uncle’s house. He was not home, so I went to my old house to try to call my mother. My mother was on a long distance phone call, so I had to run back to my new house. I waited, with my jacket and hair were wet from the rain, for my mom to call someone to pick me up and send me to school. My friend told me to go talk to someone about this and I did. I told my story to the receptionist in the main office. She told me to write out what I said. I decided not to because I did not want to make too much trouble for the bus driver and myself.
I realize now that I should have just written it out when she told me to. Last week, I was one to two minutes later than everyone else to get on the bus. The bus driver threatened that if I was late again, he would not pick me up.
Today, I was late again, so I heated up some food so I can eat it along the way. I got to the bus stop and was going to finish the rest of my food. The bus came, so I took a bite and wrapped the rest up in a napkin to throw it out like usual. When I got on the bus, I did not see a trash can, so I put it in my coat pocket so I could throw it out in school. I sat in my seat and chewed and swallowed what was in my mouth. I was a little thirsty so I opened a new bottle of water and took a little sip. I was careful to not spill anything and nothing spilled. I did know that we are not supposed to drink things on the bus, but I thought that it only applied to sports drinks, soda and the sort. I did not know that we were not even allowed to drink water. He was watching me through the mirror and he can see me clearly because I sit in the front row. He said some things that I could not quite hear. All I heard was a comment about students should not eat on the bus. I sat there and talked to my friend instead of sleeping like I usually do. When we got to school, I was going to get off the bus, but he told me to stay. I sat and waited until everyone left. My friend waited outside for me. He yelled at me about eating on the bus. He told me that I know the rules and that I should not eat on the bus. I tried to tell him that I know and that I finished my food outside. He said that he saw me eating food many times on the bus and had let me get away with it but that this was the final straw. I tried to tell him that I don’t eat food on the bus anymore after he warned me the first time. He interrupts me and told me that he thinks that I should not even be on the bus. He asked for my name. I told him that my name is ---------. Then he asked for my address. I was about to tell him my old address out of habit, but I know I should not. I was not quite sure about the number of my house so I told him that I don’t know. He looked at me as if I was stupid and said scornfully that I was a high school student and didn’t even know my address. I tried to explain to him that I moved and I can’t remember the address but he would not listen, so I just told him that I live on --------and that I can’t remember the number. He said that I have to go call the transportation department and get another bus pass. I went to school, feeling horrible and started to cry when my friend asked me what happened.
During the morning hours, I kept thinking about all the times the bus driver had yelled at me for every ridiculous little thing, like sneezing without covering my mouth, which I actually did. I thought about him threatening to not pick me up if I’m late and actually not picking me up that freezing day when it was raining outside and there was snow on the ground, and today and the first day when I actually deserved a warning that I heeded. I should not have been yelled at for doing something I did not do. Even if I did do something wrong on the bus, he should not have treated me the way he did. It was not right; it was demeaning for both him and me.

I regret that I didn't write it sooner.