-
A magazine about school buses?
In August 1994, I saw a classified ad in the local newspaper. It read something like: "Managing editor needed for bus mag. Good working environment." Seeing that I was unemployed and likely to stay that way unless I developed some curiosity about editing jobs with bus mags, I called about the listing and a few days later was hired as senior editor at SCHOOL BUS FLEET Magazine.
School buses? Why would anyone publish a magazine about buses? What have I gotten myself into? I asked myself. . .
-
Is that a bully on your bus?
My older son, who's in the third grade, recently told me that one of his classmates threw him down on the grass during recess.
I said, "One of the bigger kids, right?"
He said, "No, actually he's smaller than me." He leveled his hand to his own chin. "About this tall."
"And he threw you down?" I replied.
Well, you get the drift. I don't know if I'd classify his classmate as a bully, more likely he's just a rambunctious friend, but it concerns me when kids are tossing each . . .
-
The worried parent in all of us
Both of my sons, ages 6 and 8, are back in school. Neither ride the bus. We live outside the neighborhood school zone and thus don't qualify for school bus service. That means, of course, that my wife must drive them to and from school each day, a distance of about 3 miles.
I know this is not the safest way to get them to and from school, but we don't have much choice. I sometimes wonder what it would be like if they did ride the bus. Would I go out and size up the driver? Would I complain...
-
Detox suggestions for a poisoned well
A while back I posted a note titled "Are You My Friend or My Boss?" and received many thoughtful comments about the critical importance of a manager developing a good relationship with his or her staff. This is not an easy task, I know. It requires give and take from both parties for the larger good of the organization.
The reason I bring this up again is that I received an e-mail from a frustrated transportation supervisor who is trying to build a healthier workplace, but has had no success.