Back To School - Is Your Child At Risk?

Our public school system has recently implemented a new online program on their local website called "Web Query". The system enables the public, worldwide to enter a child's grade level and physical address. Upon entering the information, the program will scan its database looking for the school a child is to attend and the time and location of the school bus stop in which he/she will be picked up.

Sounds good doesn't it? Convenience for you as a parent, convenience for the school district and convenience for any sex predator lurking in the shadows just waiting for your child.

Upon calling our local school transportation office, school board members, and the company themselves with concerns, we were told, "Everyone is doing it." and "If a predator is stalking
your child, he/she is going to find out anyway."

I ask, "Why assist them?"

Another interesting aspect is the fact Transportation Security Administration/Homeland Security has now included school bus drivers in their "Highway Watch" program. School bus
drivers have been instructed, via classes,  to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities to the National Highway Watch Call Center which will in turn immediately alert the TSA.  Why? Because terrorists have been found with school bus routes in their possession, that's why. Drivers are being taught how to identify and evaluate unusual activity. "What drew your attention to this person in the first place? Is someone unfamiliar taking photographs or drawing sketches of the area? Is the person asking a lot of questions about the bus route?"  Asking questions about the bus route? Heck, they don't have to its already online!

School systems and parents from all over the country have bought into this so-called "convenience".  If you are concerned about the welfare of your child and your school district is using this "web query" system I'd suggest notifying your federal, state, police and sheriff's departments and school officials stating your concern.