Outraged Parents Demand Answers After School Bus Drops Off Young Students on Busy Highway

On August 28, 2025, a group of concerned parents in Anne Arundel County, Maryland are demanding answers after their young children were dropped off by a school bus in a dangerous location. The incident occurred on the second day of the new school year, when four first-graders from Jones Elementary were dropped off along the shoulder of the busy Ritchie Highway, instead of at their aftercare program, Smart Fit Kids.

The parents say the bus driver went against established protocols, which had previously involved dropping the students directly at the entrance of the aftercare facility. This year, the driver stopped the bus near the parking lot entrance, leaving the 6-year-olds to navigate the busy highway on their own. One student even voiced her concerns to the driver, but was told to get off the bus regardless.

The parents are outraged that the driver would put their children in such a dangerous situation, especially since three of the students had attended the aftercare program the previous year without incident. They are now questioning the school district's transportation policies and the driver's judgment, and have expressed that they do not feel comfortable sending their kids on the bus until the issue is resolved.

The school district has acknowledged the incident and stated that they are investigating the matter, with the intention of ensuring student safety. Meanwhile, the aftercare program, Smart Fit Kids, has said that they are working directly with the school to rectify the situation and have implemented a temporary solution of sending one of their own vans to pick up the students from Jones Elementary.