Rev. April School Bus Ridership Handbook

Transcription

1 Rev. April 2015 School Bus Ridership Handbook

2 Wayzata Public Schools Independent School District 284 Transportation Supervisor... Rich Enga Transportation Router... Amanda Wheelen Transportation Router/Spec Ed... Liz Connoy Transportation Services Phone: Fax: Website: Bus Stop information: See website s Family Access page School Bus Contractor First Student Transportation, Inc MTI (Special Education Transportation) (952) Please contact School Bus Company for Lost and Found REVISED APRIL 2015

3 Birchview Elementary 425 Ranchview Ln Greenwood Elementary Medina Rd Oakwood Elementary County Road Sunset Hill Elementary Sunset Trail Wayzata Elementary Schools Gleason Lake Elementary 310 County Rd 101 N Kimberly Lane Elementary Old Rockford Road Wayzata Middle Schools Wayzata East Middle School Ridgemount Ave. W Wayzata West Middle School 149 Barry Ave. N. Wayzata, MN Wayzata Central Middle School 305 Vicksburg Ln. N Wayzata High School 4955 Peony Ln. N Wayzata Public School District Website Plymouth Creek Elementary st Ave N

4 A Word About Bus Safety: This booklet has been developed for the sole purpose of sharing pertinent information concerning bus safety and transportation with you. The information in this booklet conforms to the laws and regulations of the State of Minnesota and our Board of Education policies, regulations and procedures. Our goal is to provide the safest school transportation system possible. Walk distances to bus stops and to schools have not changed for this year. The current Board approved guidelines used to develop our bus routes are: Walk Distances Grade To School To Bus Stop Kindergarten 0.3 miles 0.3 miles miles 0.5 miles miles 0.5 miles miles 0.5 miles Irrespective of these guidelines, students will be transported if walking to school would require crossing dangerous highways unaided by signals, student patrols or police officers. Bus stops may not always be visible from your home and are generally located at corners. Minnesota s Crosswalk Law According to state law, all drivers must stop to yield the right-of-way to students and pedestrians in a crosswalk, marked or unmarked, where there are no traffic-control signals in place. Also, the driver must remain stopped until the student has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped. If you have any questions or need further information regarding this booklet or District transportation in general, please feel free to contact the Transportation Office at Thank you, and have a safe and enjoyable school year! Transportation, Wayzata Public Schools 1

5 Parent Responsibilities Primary parent/guardian responsibilities include: 1. Provide the school office with student information including your pick-up and take-home address and home/work telephone numbers in the event of an emergency. 2. Daycare/Homebase forms are available at each school office. Remember to notify the school office of any changes of your daycare provider. 3. Place large address numbers (4 high) on both your home and mailbox to be easily seen by the approaching bus driver. 4. Instruct your children to be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. 5. Remain alert to impending weather patterns and have your child properly clothed for the current weather conditions. It is also suggested you have a plan ready should school dismiss early due to inclement weather. 6. Post the bus information in a prominent place in your home. On the refrigerator, for example, so it is readily accessible. 7. Provide your child with a book bag for books and school materials. 8. Buses have the right of way in school parking lots. Please observe this. 9. Inform the Transportation Office of any special medical conditions your child may have. 10. Equipment such as Skateboards, Skis, Golf Clubs, Baseball Bats and Hockey Sticks is not allowed on the bus. Rollerblades, Ice Skates, Lacrosse sticks and Tennis Racquets are, if fully enclosed in an appropriate bag/container so as to prevent injury to bus passengers. Rider Responsibilities A. Going to the Bus Stop 1. Use sidewalks where available. 2. If there are no sidewalks, walk on left shoulder of street or roadway facing traffic, single file or no more than two abreast. 3. Cross streets at corners. 4. Use a direct route, but avoid using alleys or crossing empty fields or lots to get to the bus stop. 5. Do not arrive more than 10 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive at your designated stop. 6. Be aware of all suspicious individuals. Report such persons to your bus driver or school principal. EVEN IF YOU HAVE MISSED THE BUS, DO NOT ACCEPT RIDES FROM STRANGERS. 7. If you miss the bus, return home and notify parent. B. Waiting at the Bus Stop 1. Wait away from the traffic. Stay off the road at least three feet. 2. Respect the property around the bus stop. Do not pick flowers or shrubs, throw stones, snowballs, litter, etc. 3. Do not push, shove, fight or use offensive or foul language. 4. Avoid blocking sidewalks or driveways. 5. Do not run to the curb when the bus comes. Stay back until bus is actually stopped. A PUSH AT THE MIDDLE OR END OF THE LINE CAN SEND THE FRONT PERSON INTO THE BUS OR UNDER ITS WHEELS. 6. Behavior at the bus stop is the responsibility of the students and/or parents of the students who use the bus stop. C. Boarding the Bus 1. Wait until the bus has stopped and the door is opened before starting to board. 2. Board single file, do not push or shove. 3. Use the handrail to keep from slipping, falling or tripping. 4. Greet the driver pleasantly! 2

6 5. Move to your seat. Do not stop in the aisle to talk with others. Make room for others needing a seat. The driver does have the right to assign seats and request 2-3 students per seat as needed. 6. Put large items (musical instruments, packages, etc.) in seat area or under the seat, but not in the aisle. Certain musical instruments may be too large to transport on the school bus because they cannot be safely secured, so parent transportation may be necessary. D. Riding on the Bus 1. Cooperate with the driver. 2. Do not push or shove for any reason. 3. ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING, LIGHTING OF MATCHES OR LIGHTERS ON THE BUS. 4. Keep arms and legs out of the aisle to prevent tripping others while they board or exit. 5. Open windows half way only if the driver permits you to do so. Keep hands, arms and heads inside the bus. 6. Do not stand or move around while the bus is moving. 7. Absolutely no tampering with the bus radio, controls, or equipment. 8. Keep conversation tones to a normal level. Too much noise by yelling, screaming, headphones, etc. can distract the bus driver. 9. No Eating, drinking, chewing gum or suckers on the school bus. 10. Do not distract the driver. Bus drivers need to keep their attention on safe driving. 11. Be quiet at railroad crossing or other busy intersections. 12. Encourage your friends to cooperate with the driver. 13. Keep your feet off seats or the backs of seats. 14. Avoid any kind of behavior that will cause damage to the bus. E. Exiting the Bus (Normal Conditions) 1. Stay seated before exiting until the bus is completely stopped and the door is open. 2. Take turns from alternate sides to enter the aisle. This prevents cramming, pushing and shoving. 3. Say "goodbye" to the bus driver. A "thanks" now and then would be a nice courtesy to extend. 4. Use the handrail. Take one step at a time. 5. Move away from the bus. Do not take things from or hand things to those on the bus through the window. Stay away from the wheels. 6. If you have to cross in front of the bus, walk 10 steps in front of the bus and make sure you see the driver. 7. Go directly home and notify your parents that you are home. The same safety rules apply to getting home as getting to the bus stop. 8. Parents please examine your child s clothing. Drawstrings have been snagged on handrails as children have exited the bus. F. Exiting or Leaving the Bus (Emergency Conditions) Emergencies can happen to school buses just as any other vehicle. These emergencies can be a collision, fire, stalled vehicle, weather conditions, etc. It is very important that those aboard know what to do and how to do it. A very important rule in cases like this is to stay calm and quiet and listen to the directions of the driver or other officials at the scene. If an emergency evacuation of the bus does become necessary, do the following things: 1. Listen to the directions of the driver. 2. Use the front or rear exit doors. KNOW WHERE THE EXITS ARE AND WHICH IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE TO USE. 3. Do not crowd into the aisles; rather, wait your turn and proceed swiftly to the exit point. 3

7 4. If you have to exit at the rear, duck your head and be careful when you jump out. Bend your knees when you land. 5. MOVE AWAY FROM THE BUS AND STAY AWAY! STAY IN A GROUP! 6. Older students should assist younger ones who may panic or become disoriented. G. Vehicle Breakdown The bus may break down or in other ways become disabled or immobile. If this occurs, the driver will radio for assistance. In the meantime, it is very important that the students cooperate with the driver. H. Crossing the Street/Roadway in Front of the Bus The following procedures will be followed when crossing the street or roadway is necessary: 1. To the Bus a. Wait at least three feet back from the road or street surface until the bus comes to a complete stop and the door is open. b. Be sure the red lights at the top of the bus are flashing and the stop arm is extended. Watch for an indication from the driver that it is okay to cross. c. Cross about 10 steps in front of the bumper so the driver of the bus can see you. 2. From the Bus a. Walk away from and about 10 steps in front of the bus on the shoulder or off the street surface. b. Again check with the driver and be sure the red stoplights are flashing before starting to cross. WALK, DO NOT RUN! c. As you reach the side of the bus, check traffic from both directions. Not all vehicles obey the stop signals and arm. Proceed only when safe and then do so in a direct path to the other side. d. Older students should assist the younger ones in this process. e. If you hear the bus horn, stop immediately. I. Student Misbehavior Report The student misbehavior report is to inform parents of disciplinary incidents involving their children on the school bus. These reports are written and mailed only after other attempts to eliminate problems have been explored. The School District requires students to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior. In cases when a student is not behaving appropriately, the misbehavior will be reported to the principal. J. Student Misbehavior Misbehavior can take many forms, ranging from failure to remain seated, profanity, spitting, to inappropriate conduct. More serious offenses include fighting, vandalism, physically obstructing driver, etc. School bus mis-behavior is handled with a progressive discipline approach. Principals handle each case individually and may assign the following consequences: verbal warning, assigned bus seat, discussion with parent, and loss of bus service. K. Student Safety Training Students will receive school bus safety training within the first month of the school year. Students will be expected to know the following seven concepts and competencies: 1. Transportation by school bus is a privilege not a right 2. District policies for school conduct and bus safety 3. Appropriate conduct while on the bus 4. Danger zones surrounding a school bus 5. Procedures for safely boarding and leaving a school bus 4

8 6. Procedures for safe street crossing 7. School bus evacuation and other emergency procedures L. Rider Eligibility Only those students enrolled and registered to ride in District 284 and meeting state and local requirements are permitted to ride school buses. Buses are for transportation to and from school, or other approved school functions. Students are expected to ride their assigned buses. M. Parental Concerns If there is a concern with the transportation system, please notify the contract carrier: First Student Transportation, Inc. for late buses or lost and found for Regular and Special Education transportation, If this does not resolve your concerns, please call the Transportation Office at N. Severe Weather Please tune to WCCO 830 AM radio or WCCO Channel 4, for information on school delays, interruptions, or cancellations due to poor weather or other emergencies. You may also contact our website at for further information. 5