ASD-W originally denied six-year-old transportation because he didn’t live far enough from school
Six-year-old Sawyer Groff will be able to take the bus to school this year after all.
After paying for a year of taxi rides and making multiple requests for accommodation to Anglophone School District West (ASD-W), Jennie Groff of Woodstock got word last week that her son will be able to ride the bus each day.
Sawyer was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was two. When he started Kindergarten last year, his mom sent a medical note from his doctor to the school district. The doctor requested bussing for Sawyer, advising authorities that walking that far would lower his blood sugar, making him too tired to learn. The family lives 1.7 km away from the school, and the bussing cut-off for the district is 2.4 km.
Despite the note, Sawyer was denied bussing. Jennie said she was happy to get the news last week.
“This is great for us, but it doesn’t help all the other families who are struggling with almost the same issues,” she said, adding that many parents reached out to her expressing their frustration after similar transportation requests.
As for Sawyer, he’s excited to be starting Grade 1.
“He’s excited, but a little nervous (about taking the bus) because he has never been on it. He’ll be catching it at the end of our road,” said Jennie. “We are still waiting for the drop-off and pick-up details.”
The single mom says she’s even happier that she won’t have to spend up to $300 a month on taxis to get her son to and from school.
Jennie has advice for parents who find themselves in this type of situation.
“Fight as much as you can,” she told the River Valley Sun. “Get the media involved; sadly that seems to be the only way to get people to listen to us now.”
The River Valley Sun contacted the ASD-W Communications Officer for comment and is awaiting a response.
(With files from Paige Morgan)
