REGINA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL BUS PROTOCOL THIS INFORMATION WAS PREPARED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FIRSTBUS CANADA LTD. APRIL 2001
HOW WE GET YOU THERE We provide free transportation for elementary students in certain designated areas where there is no Catholic elementary school students travelling to a school that offers the French Immersion program. For help or information, call our Transportation Officer at 791-7214. OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS DESHAYE 37 Cameron Cr S4S 2X1. 791-7270 HOLY ROSARY 3118-14th Ave S4T 1R9 791-7280 JEAN VANIER 425-15th Ave S4N OV1 791-7285 SACRED HEART 1314 Elphinstone St S4T 3M4 791-7290 ST. ANDREW 621 Douglas Ave E. S4N 1H7 791-7300 ST. ANGELA 6823 Gillmore Dr S4X 4J3 791-7305 ST. AUGUSTINE 2343 Edgar St S4N 3L2 791-7310 ST. BERNADETTE 727 N. McIntosh St S4R 6E4 791-7320 ST. CATHERINE 150 Brotherton Ave S4N OJ7 791-7325 ST. DOMINIC 195 Windfield Rd S4V OE9 791-7330 ST. FRANCIS 45 Mikkelson Dr S4T 6B7 791-7335 ST. GABRIEL 3150 Windsor Pk Rd S4V 3A1 791-1717 ST. GREGORY 302 Upland Dr S4R 5X3 791-7340 ST. JEROME 770 Rink Ave S4X 1V8 791-7345 ST. JOAN OF ARC 10 Dempsey Ave S4T 7H9 791-7350 ST. JOSAPHAT 140 Greenwood Cr S4X 1G4 791-7355 ST. MARGUERITE 2910 E. Shooter Dr S4V OY2 791-7360 ST. MARY 140 N. McIntosh St S4R 4Z9 791-7365 ST. MATTHEW 4710 Castle Rd S4S 4X1 791-7370 ST. MICHAEL 431 Hamilton St S4R 2A8 791-7375 ST. PETER 150 Argyle St S4R 4C3.. 791-7380 ST. PIUS X 3301 Garnet St S4S 1X8 791-7385 ST. THERESA 2707-7th Ave E. S4N 5E8 791-7390 ST. TIMOTHY 280 Sangster Blvd S4R 7H5 791-7395 1
We provide a fee for service, school bus transportation for high school students in certain designated areas. For information on those areas please call our Transportation Officer at 791-7214. OUR HIGH SCHOOLS ST. LUKE 625 Elphinstone St S4T 3L1 791-7248 ARCH. M.C. O'NEILL 134 Argyle St S4R 4C3 791-7240 DR. MARTIN LEBOLDUS 2330-25th Ave S4S 4E6 791-7250 MICHAEL A. RIFFEL 5757 Rochdale Blvd S4X 3P5 791-7260 MILLER 1027 College Ave S4P 1A7 791-7230 GETTING TO SCHOOL The following is intended to give users information about student transportation safety and services. To ensure the safety, efficiency, comfort, continued provision of transportation services and to promote the highest degree of cooperation between all concerned, (driver-student-school division personnel - parents) the following will apply: PARENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES Parents/guardians are responsible for: 1. Training children in acceptable behaviour and safety. 2. Ensuring that children are suitably clothed to withstand weather extremes, taking special care during very cold weather to ensure that students are properly cared for until the bus arrives. 3. Seeing that their children get to the pick-up location on time. 4. Ensuring that someone is available to meet the bus where required for handicapped children and younger children. 5. Providing for alternate arrangements for their children in the event a bus does not arrive on time. This may mean identifying someone on your block who can provide refuge for students should they have to wait for a delayed bus, or for any reason, are unable to get into their home. 2
6. Cooperating with the school in disciplining their child following reports of misbehaviour on the bus. 7. Understanding and accepting the fact that neither the bus driver nor the principal has the authority to change the bus route or schedule. 8. Younger children should have their names and addresses on their clothing and lunch kits for easy identification. STUDENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Students should be at their assigned school bus stop on time, as the bus cannot be expected to wait for late passengers. 2. Students are not to play or trespass on adjoining property at the bus stop. 3. Students are to behave in a responsible manner while riding on the bus. 4. Students must listen to and respond to the driver's instructions. STUDENT BEHAVIOUR 1. Students are to treat each other with respect. Teasing, name-calling and foul language are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. 2. Students should board the bus in single file without pushing or shoving. (As a courtesy, the older students should always allow the younger students to get on the bus first). 3. Students should sit down immediately and remain seated at all times when the bus is moving. 4. All seats are to be shared. At no time is a seat to be "saved" for a friend. The bus driver has a right to move a student to a particular seat and/or implement a seating plan. 5. Students will ask the permission of the driver before opening a window. No part of the body or any object shall be extended out of the open window. 3
6. For safety reasons, and to allow the driver to concentrate on driving the bus, students are asked to behave in a responsible manner at all times and to keep noise levels to a minimum (i.e., no loud talking, shouting or singing). 7. The driver will report all disciplinary problems to the principal. The principal will determine the disciplinary measures to be taken and will advise the student and parents accordingly. 8. The principal has the authority to suspend students from riding the school bus. Continued misbehaviour by a student may result in the temporary or permanent withdrawal of riding privileges. UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR Any behaviour, which could endanger safety on the school bus, is unacceptable. Examples are: Failure to follow driver's instructions Possession of dangerous weapons or objects Possession or use of drugs or alcohol Failure to stay seated Fighting, poking, hitting, kicking or pushing Throwing objects Vandalism Putting any part of your body or object out the window Profanity Use of tobacco, lighter and/or matches Loud talking or yelling Littering or eating on the bus Spitting, teasing, rudeness 4
DEALING WITH BEHAVIOUR Students are expected to behave in a responsible manner during loading and unloading and while the bus is enroute. Unacceptable behaviour shall result in disciplinary action. The driver will inform the principal of any behaviour which is maliciously injurious or that intentionally endangers other students. A copy of all Incident Reports will be given to the principal. A list of general bus rules to be followed by the students will be posted inside each bus. First Infraction - driver will speak to the student, fill out an Incident Report and explain to the student that a repeat offense will result in a report to the principal. Second Infraction - driver will fill out an Incident Report and will inform the student that the principal will be informed of this incident. The principal may take appropriate action. Third Infraction - driver will fill out an Incident Report and inform the principal. Principal will advise parents/guardians and discuss a course of action to be taken. Driver will be informed of the necessary details. SAFETY 1. Loading - students should remain well back from the curb until the bus is stopped and the loading door opened. 2. Unloading - after students leave a school bus they are to wait on the sidewalk until the bus has pulled away. Students, who need to cross the street, should proceed to the nearest crosswalk and cross when safe to do so. 5
CARRY ON ITEMS 1. Students boarding the bus carrying objects such as musical instruments, skates, etc., are expected to use the utmost care so as not to accidentally injure another passenger. 2. Aisles are to be kept clear of all obstructions (feet, books, lunch boxes, gym bags, back packs, musical instruments, etc.) and passengers will refrain from throwing any and all types of articles while on the bus. 3. There shall be no consumption of food or drink on the school bus. SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS Listen for radio announcements. If it becomes necessary to cancel bus operations, notice will be given on the radio. Severe weather conditions and poor roads may extend the running time of some buses, resulting in late arrival and departure. Parents/guardians should make sure that children are suitably clothed to withstand weather extremes and ensure that children are supervised until picked up and that they have a place to go in the event of an emergency or in case the bus is unavoidably delayed due to road and weather conditions. Parents/guardians must also ensure that children have a supervised place to go after the return trip at the end of their school day. GENERAL 1. General enquiries related to bus service should be directed to the principal. Major problems or persistent difficulties should be brought to the attention of the School Division's Transportation Officer at 791-7214. 2. Only those students registered to ride the bus will be permitted access to the transportation service. 3. Enquiries related to buses running behind schedule, children missing their bus, articles lost or left on a bus, etc., can be directed to FirstBus Canada Ltd., at 721-4499. 6