A random survey of schools and school districts in the Boston area turned up no written policies, but a fairly common pattern of practice. Kindergartners are usually bused to their door or to a stop, and then released to a parent or adult. If the parent is not present, the bus driver keeps the child on the bus and returns him to school, the bus terminal, an after-school care facility or, in some cases, to a local police station.
Some bus drivers go around the block a few times in hopes that the parent arrives.
But from first grade on children are dropped off even if there is no known adult there to meet them. The school district should have a contingency plan in place, but ultimately the responsibility belongs to the parents, according to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation. Get to know your school-bus driver well. Tell your child that the school-bus driver is a safe person, and to talk to the driver if there is a problem. Make sure your child is familiar with the area, so that she won't be frightened if your driver takes a ride around the block.