Bus Transportation

 

Bus Transportation is provided for all Horace W. Porter School K – 8 students.  The safety of our students is paramount and requires that all students actively exercise personal responsibility.  Bus transportation is an extension of the classroom with opportunities for personal responsibility.  The rules and logical consequences related to the use of bus transportation mirror those relayed in the discipline section of this handbook (See pages 28-29).  Rules are the proactive guidelines that are set up to help the students and staff achieve the goal of personal responsibility and safety during transportation. 

 

In order to maintain a positive bus experience, we expect students will:

 

·         Treat others the way we want to be treated.

·         Keep everyone safe and healthy.

·         Take care of our school and bus-related materials.

·         Behave like a respectful passenger.

Logical consequences provide an opportunity for students to make amends for their actions.  In this case, a logical consequence to unsafe or irresponsible behavior may lead to a loss of privilege during the current or future bus ride.  As with all consequences, administration and staff will make every effort to be consistent and fair while remaining sensitive to situational and individual dimensions where appropriate. 

 

A Safe Bus Pick Up, Ride and Drop-Off is ensured when each student:

 

  • Swiftly obeys all bus driver instructions.
  • Stands safely away from the road but within view while waiting for the bus.
  • Is present at the assigned stop, five minutes before pick-up time.
  • Walks carefully to the bus and stays in line when boarding.
  • Boards only the assigned bus at the assigned time and stop.
  • Remains properly seated (facing front, feet on/down toward floor).
  • Speaks quietly to only those sharing the same bus seat.

·         Does not eat, drink, chew gum, smoke, swear or use obscene language.

·         Does not throw objects in, at or out of the bus.

  • Keeps body (head, hands, arms, etc.) and objects inside the bus at all times; Keeps aisle clear.

·         Opens windows only with bus driver permission.

  • Disembarks at the assigned stop.
  • Stays in line when disembarking and walks carefully away from bus; does not walk around or behind bus.
  • Provides Main Office with completed “A Note to School” Form (See Appendix III) signifying change in bus number/stop.

 

Inappropriate Bus Behavior:  Transportation may be denied to any student who chooses to compromise personal safety or the safety of others due to inappropriate behavior.  Parents will be informed of inappropriate student bus behavior and associated consequences via a Bus Incident Form (See Appendix III).  Typical responses to inappropriate recurring inappropriate bus behavior are:

·          Three (3) Bus Incident Reports may result in loss of bus transportation for a designated length of time.

·          Four (4) or more Bus Incident Reports may result in loss of bus transportation for an extended time period and a meeting of parents/guardians, an administrator, the bus driver and the bus company manager held prior to any bus use reinstatement.

 

Damage to Bus Company Property:  Parents of students who damage or deface any bus company property will be held liable for such damage. 

 

Bus Routes and Stop Times:  School bus routes and stop times are posted in The Chronicle in late August and in the Main Office throughout the academic year. 

 

Route 66 and Route 87 Stops:  Students with stops on Routes 66 or 87 are not permitted to cross the street for pick-up or drop-off. 

 

Special Bus Drop-Off Procedure for Students in Kindergarten – Grade 4:  K – 4 students require a parent/guardian, older sibling or school-approved designee to be dropped off at a bus stop (regardless of weather or dismissal schedule).  Any K – 4 students reaching their drop-off point with no visible designee will be driven back to Horace W. Porter School after all remaining students are dropped off; parent/guardian will be contacted upon return with immediate pick-up expected.     Note:  Chronic absence of the parent/guardian or designee from the bus stop at drop-off time may result in a meeting between parents and the administration or a report of neglect by the administration to the Department of Children and Families.

 

Change in Transportation/”A Note To School” Form:  If a student requires the use of a different bus than that assigned to his/her residence, a completed “A Note To School” Form (See Appendix III) must be provided to the Main Office by 8:45a.m. on the day of the changed in transportation.  The form must include the student’s name, bus number, bus stop and parent/guardian signature.