The Children s Guild DC Charter School Transportation Handbook

Transcription

1 The Children s Guild DC Charter School Transportation Handbook Our primary objective is to ensure the safety of the students and provide a quality and dependable service to our families. We will need support from each and every one of you as the system cannot work without each of us working together. Bus Departure: Buses will be departing from The Children s Guild DC Campus at 3:30pm during regular school hours. Inclement Weather: When inclement weather conditions exist please give yourself ample time to navigate challenging traffic and potential late arrivals. In addition, it is very difficult to predict the traffic, jams or accidents. Please always arrive 5-10 minutes early and be prepared to wait minutes after the scheduled time for the bus. The bus will never leave before the scheduled time but w i l l l e a v e i m m e d i a t e l y after boarding at the scheduled time. Our school closing or delayed opening announcements will be posted throughout the local news stations. Additionally, updates will also be sent via Living Tree and posted on the school s website. Students should not be dropped off earlier than the designated time. For early dismissal due to bad weather, TCGDC staff will contact parents via telephone and Living Tree. Our decisions about school closings, delayed openings, and/or early dismissals are based on local weather reports. We do not follow DCPS. Please convey all questions or changes regarding the bus transportation schedule to the Dean of Students at fryej@childrensguild.org. BUS ALERTS: In the case of a bus delay, we will send out a Bus Alert to families who have submitted the appropriate information to receive Bus Alerts. If your child(ren) ride a bus, and you would like to receive Bus Alerts, please make sure that we have your current mobile phone number(s) and/or confirm the number you gave us so we can connect you to Learning Tree, our bus alert system. Please read the Handbook for Parents and Guardians confirming that you have read and understand the transportation policy, sign it and return it to the Dean of Students. Your signed copy provides you the access to the bus services. Without the signed copy your child will not be able to ride the bus. Thank you, Jacqueline Frye Dean of Students

2 Transportation Contract The safe transportation of our students remains our primary concern. Safety is dependent on the full cooperation of adults and students to ensure a safe trip. Adults and students must agree to abide by a code of behavior to fully access the transportation. The following infractions will impact or prevent your child the ability to use the The Children s Guild DC Charter School Bus Transportation Services: Abandonment - (not being at the stop to receive your child) We will not leave the child at the stop unless we have a written statement on file giving us permission to allow your child to walk home alone. In addition, we must have the name(s) of the person(s) your child can be released to. (2 incidents of Abandonment will result in removal from the bus for the rest of the school year). Late for the Bus (causes problems for each succeeding stop and therefore create great inconvenience for other parents. Addressing Someone s Child Inappropriately (threats, raising voice, chastising) Inappropriate Interactions with Bus Drivers/Aides (arguments, threats) If you have concerns with the bus driver or aide report them to the dispatcher at the phone number located on each bus or call the Dean of Students at the School. The complaint or concern will be relayed to the owner of the bus company, Mr. William Poinsette and he will address it. Attempts to Stop Bus (buses only stop and open doors at designated stops) Inappropriate Parent- to- Parent Interaction (arguing at stops or threatening) Students May Use Electronic Games on the Bus if this assists them in managing the bus ride. However, TCGDC will not be responsible for breakage or loss of electronic games. Eating Food or Drinking on the Bus is not permitted (for health, choking, safety and cleanliness) Remain Seated During Bus Movement - Getting Out of Seat i s n o t p e r m i t t e d (dangerous as the bus is moving and may make sudden stops) Bus Route Changes Must Be Submitted in Writing to the Dean of Students Who Oversees Transportation. This is the ONLY METHOD of making changes to assure we have the approval of the parent/guardian to do so. Failure to comply will result in the following consequences. 1 st Warning - Written Notification + Bus School up to 3 times 2 nd Warning - 1 Day Suspension of bus service, additional days of suspensions may occur at discretion of the principal 3 rd Warning - Removal of bus privileges for a quarter or longer based on the discretion of the principal Final Warning - Removal from bus for the remainder of the school year I UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE RULES AND AGREE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILTY FOR MY CHILD S TRANSPORTATION TO & FROM SCHOOL SHOULD TERMINATION OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OCCUR DUE TO A VIOLATION OF THE ABOVE POLICIES. Student Name: Parent s Signature_ Date:

3 Student Responsibilities 1. Prepare to board the school bus at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive and respect all community property while waiting for the bus to arrive or depart. 2. Approach the school bus only after it comes to a complete stop. Enter the bus carefully, moving quickly to the assigned seat. 3. Obey all safety rules and follow all directions given by the bus driver or bus aide. 4. Show respect toward peers and adults at all times. 5. Remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion and do not extend any part of their bodies through the bus windows or throw items out of the bus windows. 6. Avoid yelling, using profanity, name - calling, taunting or other inappropriate language. Use a conversational tone and remain silent whenever the bus is approaching a railroad crossing. 7. Notify the bus driver or bus aide of any unusual circumstance or behavior while on the way to a destination. Infraction Disrespectful attitude toward adults Ignoring posted bus rules or directions Pushing while boarding/exiting the bus Not boarding the bus on time Jumping over seats, fighting or throwing objects from the window Vandalism/damaging property; opening the emergency door; grabbing the rear fender while the bus is moving Fighting Consequence 1 st Warning - Written Notification + Bus School up to 3 times 2 nd Warning - 1 Day Suspension of bus service, additional days of suspensions may occur at discretion of the principal 3 rd Warning - Removal of bus privileges for a quarter or longer based on the discretion of the principal Final Warning - Removal from bus for the remainder of the school year Immediate 1 day suspension of bus service + restitution or restorative justice based on the infraction The Children s Guild DC Charter School will make adjustments in an attempt to work with parents so as to reduce hardships related to bus transportation where possible. Keep in mind every student will be given a DC One Card to be used to take public transportation or the parent can drive the student to the school should the student lose bus privileges. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities (Please note that parents/guardians may not accompany their children on the school bus on the ride to or from school.) 1. Read and become familiar with this guide. 2. Complete informational forms for the school, being certain to include accurate personal, emergency and medical information. 3. Develop and practice a safe walking route to and from the school bus or school bus stop that is direct and uninterrupted. 4. Have your child(ren) ready to board the bus at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled pick- up time. 5. Review the transportation contract with your child(ren) regularly to ensure that safety rules and regulations are understood and followed. 1

4 6. Teach your child(ren) to respect the property of citizens whose homes and places of business are located along their route(s). Accept liability for any damage caused to the school bus or others property by your child(ren). 7. Ensure the safety of your child(ren) upon departure from the bus. 8. Report complaints of late, rude or no- show bus service to Dean of Students at The Children s Guild DC Campus Charter School. 9. Notify the school immediately, in writing, of any changes in your child(ren) s personal information (i.e., address, telephone number, emergency contact, medical information, etc.). Forward the information to the school as soon as the information is available. (A change in your child(ren) s address may result in your child(ren) being assigned to a different bus. You should contact the Dean of Students to confirm your child(ren) s bus number(s). Infraction Repeated failure to have child(ren) ready for boarding in the morning. Repeated failure to have a responsible adult available to receive students at drop- off sites Failure to reimburse victims of confirmed vandalism or damage to property Consequence 1 st Warning - Written Notification 2 nd Warning - 1 Day Suspension of bus service and 2day the second day and 3 days on third time 3 rd Warning - Removal from bus for a marking period. the Immediate year if problem suspension is habitual.. of bus service. Reinstatement if at all considered will be subject to reimbursement and conference after a 30 day suspension to determine the possible opportunity to resume service based upon wait list. School Bus Aide Responsibilities 1. Learn the assigned route and assist the bus driver with directions. 2. Update all routes as necessary to correct directions and problem areas. 3. Notify your dispatcher of any pupil information changes to the students telephone numbers or addresses, and of anything unusual. 4. Help students to board or exit the bus and create and update a seating chart as needed. 5. Secure wheelchairs, harness and car seats/safety belts. 6. Assist the driver with loading/unloading students who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices. 7. Maintain accurate attendance sheets and report any consecutive absences of three days or more. 8. Assist the driver in preparing incident reports. 9. Assist the driver in keeping the bus clean. 10. When the bus arrives the bus aide gets off the bus, organizes the students in a line and walks the students in a line to the front door and assures each child enters the front door. 11. The bus aide enters the school after all the students enter the building, signs in and makes a photo copy of the bus sheet that identifies which students arrived on the bus and gives gives it to the person who sits at the receptionist desk to be used for purpose of attendance. The aide retains the original copy of the bus list to assure that they take every student home who they brought on the return trip or accounts for any student who was delivered but is not returning on the bus.

5 12. During the return trip home the bus aide goes to the cafeteria and brings the bus list of the morning riders to assure each rider who was brought to school returns; or if they are not in the cafeteria understands the mode of transportation the student will use to return home; and takes home any new students, late students or students who have doctor s appointments, etc. are accounted for who are scheduled to ride the bus that day for the return trip. 13. The bus aide then walks the students in a line leading the line with a bus color placard to the bus and assures all students are accounted for on the bus before the bus leaves. 14. Assist the bus driver in thoroughly checking the bus interior at the end of the run to ensure that no student is left on the bus. School Bus Driver Responsibilities 1. Maintain updated copies of all route information logs and notify the dispatcher of any changes or discrepancies. 2. Adhere to established routes with regard to mileage and time frames. 3. The driver must wait at the pick- up and drop- off points at least three minutes before proceeding to the next destination. If the bus arrives before the scheduled pick- up or drop- off time, the three- minute wait period begins at the scheduled pick- up or drop- off times. If the bus arrives after the scheduled pick- up or drop- off time, the driver must wait at least three minutes beyond the actual arrival time. 4. May not leave any student unattended unless advised by the parent. 5. Maintain a safe environment by using effective student management strategies, seeking guidance from City Schools Office of Pupil Transportation or school personnel when students display inappropriate behavior consistently. 6. Complete and submit to the school incident reports for all violations of school bus rules (i.e., fighting, throwing objects, verbal or physical aggressiveness). 7. Work with and help direct the bus aide to ensure rules and regulations are being followed. 8. Conduct bus evacuation drills at least twice a year as directed by the Office of Pupil Transportation. 9. Conduct daily pre and post trip inspections to ensure bus cleanliness and maintenance of all essential supplies. 10. Maintain Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) certifications and comply with all city, state, and federal laws regarding transporting students and the operation of school buses. 11. Watches all students get off the bus while the bus aide is outside of the bus organizing the arrival line. 12. Always thoroughly check the bus interior at the end of a run to make certain that there are no children left on the bus. The Children s Guild DC Campus Responsibilities 1. Ensure that students who avail themselves of the bus service are placed on the correct bus and communicate the stop and name(s) of adult(s) authorized to pick up the child upon delivery. 2. Communicate with the Bus Company, Drivers, Aides and Parents regarding, problems, challenges, schedules, violations or other safety concerns. 3. Respond to problems and/or violations reported on the bus. 4. Contact parents when a child(ren) are undeliverable and have them pick up the child(ren) at The Children s Guild DC Charter School.

6 5. Facilitate periodic Bus Forum Meetings (focus groups) to assess and convey information regarding the bus and transportation system. 6. Manage the suspension system for any child(ren) removed from the bus system. 7. Notify parent/guardian of violations providing an opportunity for violation to be addressed (before suspension if possible). Undeliverable Students It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to ensure that a responsible adult is available to receive their child(ren) at the designated drop- off times and locations at the end of the school day. If a responsible adult is not available to receive the student, s/he may be taken to a location, including the Child Protective Services, until the parents/guardian are able to pick up the student. The Children s Guild DC Charter School may notify the Child/Adult Protective Services, as appropriate, if it is unable to deliver the student a second time or on subsequent occasions. In most cases Monarch will be doing it s best to work with the parent/guardian, and have the child(ren) returned to The Children s Guild DC Campus to be picked up until the After School staff have left. If we cannot contact a parent/guardian or family member on record, at that time Child Protective Services will be notified. Please sign the attached form and return it to the school Attn: Dean of Students. Failure to r e a d t h e Transportation Guidelines or to sign or return this acknowledgment shall not relieve us of the obligation to follow all rules and guidelines that the school has established or in any way impede or prevent the school administration from operating the transportation system consistent with those rules and guidelines.