ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – Thousands of students in St. Louis City will have to return to school Monday because transportation is not an option for many. But parents and volunteers are working to make sure the children get to school safely.
“I’m worried,” said Tracy Fantini, a mother of two children at Saint Louis Public School (SLPS). “The uncertainty is the worst part for many parents, not knowing if transportation is coming or not.”
That’s why she volunteers with SLPS’s Adopt a Stop program, which places screened adults at bus stops, both traditional school bus stops and Metro bus stops.
“They get one of these stylish vests and we’re here to keep the kids safe, make sure they put on a friendly face and hopefully make them and their families feel a little more comfortable,” Fantini said.
She also helped start a Facebook group to connect families in need of carpooling. Requests increased Sunday after SLPS announced this weekend that several bus providers would no longer be available for the first week of school.
According to SLPS: “On Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:45 a.m. – St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) was notified by Xtra Care Services that they are no longer able to provide 6 buses, impacting approximately 1000 students at Adams, Ashland, AESM, Buder, Busch, Carr Lane, Columbia, Compton Drew, Dewey, Gateway STEM, Jefferson, Lexington, Long, Lyon@Blow, Mullanphy, NCNAA (K-8), NCNAA@Roosevelt, Oak Hill, Roosevelt, Shaw, Washington Montesourri, Woerner, and Yeatman schools. Therefore, SLPS staff is again working diligently this weekend to ensure parents are notified of an alternative plan.”
The first day for SLPS is Monday.
If you would like to volunteer for the Adopt a Stop program, sign up and find more information here: www.slps.org/adoptastop
You can find carpools or offer help by visiting the SLPS Carpool Connection Facebook group.
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