Bus Stop Amenities

The 2021-22 school year will be special for all your residents who have children. Once those yellow school buses start to roll, parents will finally feel that they’ve gotten their family’s lives back on track. Help them celebrate with a few simple steps.

Odds are good that your property wasn’t constructed with the convenience of a school bus stop in mind. Given restrictions on space and access, you will probably never be able to provide the perfect school bus stop – you know, with a covered roof against the rain, somewhere to sit and convenient nearby parking for watchful parents. But you can set out to work with what you’ve got to help the little scholars on their way to school. Believe me, parents will notice and appreciate it!

Many parents want an adult on hand to oversee the bus stop. At first, they may take on this task themselves, but as they get to know the other parents, they may share out this duty. Give them a helping hand by putting up a sign on a few parking spots closest to the bus stop, noting “Reserved for bus duty parents 7-8 a.m. weekdays” or words to that effect. Help the kids out, too – consider a portable bench that they can place those incredibly heavy backpacks on. Your maintenance crew can set the bench out as they leave for the day, and take it in in the morning after the school bus rolls. Relocating one of your outdoor trash cans to be near the bus stop might save you some litter headaches and if the stop is actually on your property, tell dog walkers that area is off-limits. Perhaps your office has an overhang or some type of shelter from the rain, and if so, make sure children know they are welcome to shelter there as they wait for the bus.

Your youngest residents are important community members and deserve some consideration at this important time of year.