Wimauma Elementary Copes With Busing Problems
By John Ceballos, Tampa Tribune, Fla.
Aug. 25–WIMAUMA — When the Hillsborough County school district removed 15 bus stops in Wimauma and ceased bus service for families who live within 2 miles of Wimauma Elementary, many parents worried about their kids getting to and from school safely.
Fortunately, new Principal Roy Moral and his staff were prepared.
The school’s cafeteria was open at 6:30 a.m., an hour earlier than usual, so parents could drop their children off at school before going to work.
“Well, I certainly think the busing issue will be an obstacle, but a lot of these parents and families are very resourceful,” Moral said. “We want them to know that the school will work with them any way we can.”
Wimauma Elementary, 5709 Hickman St., has about 600 students this year, many of whom are the children of farmworkers who have to be at their jobs well before the first class of the day begins at 8 a.m.
Maria Villegas’ children, Guadalupe, 9, and Lidio, 5, rode the bus to school last year. This year, she walked with them on the first day.
“There is no bus now. It’s not safe nowadays for them to walk,” she said. “It messes up my whole schedule, but I have no choice.”
About one dozen students took advantage of the early opening hours on Monday, the first day of classes in Hillsborough. The school will continue to open one hour early throughout the year.
Moral said students will socialize during the first week, but he has big plans for early arrivals.
“Eventually, we’re going to have tutoring set up for the kids who get dropped off early,” Moral said. “If I’m going to have them an hour early every day, then you better believe I’m going to teach them.”
The county was originally going to eliminate 17 bus stops but chose to keep two north of State Road 674 so children would not have to cross the busy street.
As for the students’ safety in the afternoon, the school will continue busing kids to Bethune Park and the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, both in Wimauma, for after-school programs.
“I’m excited about the upcoming school year,” said Moral, who was named principal in March after seven years as assistant principal at Palm River Elementary in Tampa. “We’re going to work together with the parents, and we’re going to have fun with the students.”
Reporter Liz Bleau contributed to this story. Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.
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