Aldine ISD mother expresses concern after her child was involved in a bus accident and the school did not notify parents

HUMBLE, Texas — An Aldine Independent School District mother is seeking answers from the district after her child’s school bus was involved in an accident and she was not notified of the incident by the school or transportation agency.

According to the district, three students were evaluated by emergency medical services. KPRC 2 is working to find out more details about the incident.

The mother, who spoke to KPRC 2's Re'Chelle Turner, explained that her child, who is in third grade at Ogden Elementary School, usually comes home from school between 4:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

However, on Tuesday afternoon the bus did not arrive until 5:30 p.m., which worried the parents.

Concerned about the delay, the mother tried to contact both the school and the district transportation department, but was unable to reach anyone. Fortunately, her child had a cell phone and was able to send her a text message informing her that the bus had been involved in an accident.

Despite the mother's repeated attempts to contact the school and the district, she received no response.

Turner contacted the school and said that a notice had been sent to parents.

A callout is a message the district sends to parents when an incident occurs on campus. The district added that the message is sent through Blackboard. It goes to the most current number the school has on file for the parent or guardian.

In response to questions about the incident, Aldine ISD stressed that students are allowed to carry cell phones on campus for safety reasons, especially before and after school.

School district policy allows students in most grades to have cell phones so they can communicate in such situations. However, cell phones are prohibited for students in preschool through 1st grade, and these younger students must be supervised by an adult or older elementary school student at bus stops.

Click here to learn more about the district's cell phone policies.

Turner has reached out to Aldine ISD for further comment on the situation:

Aldine ISD is aware that a bus carrying students from Ogden Elementary School was involved in a minor accident on campus grounds on Tuesday, August 27. As a precautionary measure, EMS was dispatched and evaluated seven students. No students were transported by EMS. Aldine ISD police officers were also dispatched and began an accident investigation. The school notified parents of the students involved in the accident via phone message Tuesday evening.

Due to emergency services and the police investigation, another bus was sent to the school to pick up students, delaying their return home. Aldine ISD apologizes for any inconvenience, but would like to remind parents that student and staff safety is always the district's top priority.