Bus Safety Eastside Union School District Eastside Union School District Transportation Safety & Discipline Plan

Transcription

1 Transportation Safety & Discipline Plan EUSD Board of Trustees Review: Signature Title Date Board of Education th Street East, Lancaster, CA (661)

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS RULES AND PROCEDURES ON BUS TRANSPORTATION SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SAFETY GUIDE SCHOOL BUS SAFE CROSSING OF STUDENTS PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTAT TION ED CODE APPENDIX

3 Student Transportation of America, Inc. RULES AND PROCEDURES ON BUS TRANSPORTATION RIDERSHIP ELIGIBILITY Student transportation aboard school busess is a privilege. Busing is limited to those students living within the District's boundaries and the attendance zone for their school. Only those studentss whose residence is within the busing zone for their home school are eligible to ride to and from school on the school bus. A student's name must appear on the Driver's Roster. The rosters are generated through informationn received from the schools. Therefore, any changes regarding busing must be made through the school site. No bus stop for students will be closer to a school than a 2 (two) mile radius for elementary schools and a 2 (two) mile radius for intermediate schools. Exceptions to this may be made at the discretion of the Transportation Department if traffic or other safety issues become apparent and approved by the Board. PARENT/ /GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITY Parents are responsible to have their children ready to board the bus at their designated bus stop 5 minutes priorr to the pick up time. The driver will NOT return to a stop to receive a student who is late and missed the bus. The driver will not leave a stop prior to the scheduled depart time. When a student is "undeliverable", they will be kept on board the bus until they can be returned to their school site. Parents of an " undeliverable" studentt should contact the dispatch office ( ) and/ /or their child's school to determinee the estimated time to pick up their student. Chronic problems may result in transportation privileges being suspended. Parents of Kindergarten students MUST COME TO THE BUS with I.D. priorr to any kinders being released. STUDENTT CONDUCT Riding a school bus is a privilege, NOT a right. Section of the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Education, governing pupil transportation, states: " Authority of Driver. (a) Pupils transported in a school bus or in a school pupil activity bus shall be under the authority of, and responsible directly to, the driver of the bus, and the driver shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils while they are on the bus or being escorted across a street, highway or road. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be 3

4 denied transportation. A bus driver shall not require any pupil to leave the bus enroute between home and school or other destinations". SAFE BUS RIDING RULES Before your son or daughter rides the bus, please read and discuss the following safe riding rules: 1. Leave home early enough to arrive at the bus stop on time. 2. Wait for the school bus quietly and in a safe place well off the roadway. 3. Follow the instructions of the bus driver at all times. 4. Remain seated while the bus is in motion. 5. Help keep the bus clean. 6. Keep your head and arms inside the bus at all times. 7. Be courteous to the bus driver and to other passengers. 8. Be alert for traffic when leaving the bus. 9. Learn emergency drill procedures and follow them when emergencies arise. 10. Have back packs in front to avoid injury to others on the bus. 11. Class room conduct rules are followed on the bus and the bus stop. BUS DISCIPLINE The school bus driver is responsible for informing students of the safety rules at the beginning of each school year. However since new students may enroll throughout the school year, each driver will also post and/or make available a list of the School Rules. The Transportation Department instructs all bus drivers to seat their students when boarding to prevent unnecessary confusion. School bus drivers have the authority to assign seating to students. The school bus driver may issue a "Bus Conduct Report" to those students violating established safety rules while aboard the bus or at the loading area. In most cases, the driver may first issue the student a verbal warning, notifying him/her of the violation. Students MUST provide the driver with their correct and accurately spelled name upon request. The Conduct report is turned into the Transportation Department. The Transportation Department and School Principal/Dean will determine what disciplinary action will take place. Copies of the Bus Conduct Report are then sent to the parent/ /guardian. It is our preference to first issue a WARNING to afford parents the opportunity to discusss the situation with their child, 4

5 reminding them of the importance of obeying the School Rules, and reinforcing that riding the school bus is a privilege. Usually the first two Conduct Reports are marked as warnings. However, in serious or chronic situations, transportation may be suspended on the first violation. In the event a studentt continues to violate the safety rules, the following will occur: 3rd Conduct Report will result in a "Denial of Transportation" for up to 1 days. 4th conduct Report will result in a "Denial of Transportation for up to 3 days. 5th Conduct Report will result in a "Denial of Transportation" for up to 5 days. 6th Conduct report will result in the "Denial of Transportation" for the remainder of the semester or school year. The Transportation Department t may elect to deny a student's riding privilege at any time, pending a Satisfactory Conference held with the parent, student, driver and a Transportation Supervisor. Parents will be notified of all transportation suspensions. Adherence to the District's Zero Tolerance Policy extended to all persons aboard the school bus and/ /or at a designated school bus stop. As in the classroom, abusive body contact will not be tolerated. This infractionn may result in immediate suspension of transportation. When a student is serving a Denial of Transportation, this will include all school buses, including field trips and extended day buses. Transportation aboard school buses has long been the safest manner in whichh to transport studentss to and from school. While we strive to make each a pleasurable experience, the school bus ride cannot be mistaken for playtime. In order to keep the driver and students from being distracted, strict guidelines are necessary for the safety of all students, drivers, and the public. A complete copy of the School Rules is available upon request. However to prevent any misunderstanding, students should be instructed that they must do the following: 1. Get on and off the school bus at their designated stop only. 2. Sit only where the driver instructs them. 3. Talk quietly with the person sitting next to them. LATE BUSES Late buses are sometimes unavoidable. It is nearly impossible to notify parents of late buses. In the event that buses are running late in the morning it is suggested that parents 5

6 wait with their children until 15 minutes after the scheduled depart time. If the bus has not arrived within that time, call the dispatch office ( ) to report the late bus. In the event that buses are running late in the afternoon, it is suggested that parents wait at the stop until 15 minutes after the scheduled stop time. If the bus has not arrived after 15 minutes, parents should either call the dispatch office ( ) or their child's school to find out the cause of the delay and the estimated time of arrival. CHANGE OF ADDRESS, PICK UP, DROP OFF LOCATION Parents are responsible for notifying their child's school of any change in their home address or phone number. Students intending to exit at a stop other than their assigned stop must have the change entered into the Student Information database prior to the student boarding the bus. The only acceptable reason for a change in Bus Stop assignment is a home address change, daycare provider change, or family custody change. "Going to a friend's house" is not a valid reason for a change. All changes will become effective the first day of the FOLLOWING week. Students will need to have the school stamp the note if there is any changes to the regular transportation on file. The driver Will Not allow students on the bus without schools approval. INCLEMENT WEATHER Modifications to home to school transportation may be necessary due to inclement weather. Bus transportation may be delayed or canceled at the recommendation of the Superintendent or his designee. The decision to delay or cancel transportation will be relayed to local radio and television stations as soon as possible. We recommend parents/ /guardians listen to local radio and television stations for transportation changes or school closure. Buses may run late on windy, rainy or snowy days. The bus may need to re route due to poor visibility for safety reasons. 6

7 Time for School Student Transportation of America, Inc. SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER SAFETY GUIDE Don t miss the bus. Leave home early enough to reach the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Walk Safely. Walk!! Don t run. Stay on the sidewalk, or if there is no sidewalk, stay as far away as possible from the traffic. Walk facing oncoming traffic. Cross the streets only at intersections or crosswalks. If students need to cross the street the bus is stopped on, wait for the driver to escort. (VC 21112) Waiting for the Bus Wait in a safe place. Stay at least 12 (twelve) feet away from the edge of the roadway. No Horseplay. Don t run around or play at the bus stop. Stay out of the street while waiting for the bus. You could be hit by a car or cause an accident if a car must swerve to avoid you. Respect property. Don t run acrosss or play in people s yards, or climb on their trees, fences or walls. Stay on the sidewalk at the bus stop. Not respecting property may result in a change of bus stop furtherr away from your home. Ssshh! People in the neighborhood may still be asleep in the morning, so try to keep down the noise. Here Comes the Bus Line Up. Form a line facing the direction of the approaching bus. NO Pets allowed. Animals, including pets on leashes, in cages, in boxes or other containers are not allowed. (Only guide, service, and signal dogs are allowed). Getting on the bus. Stay in line until the bus comes to a complete stop and the front door has opened. Get on the bus in an orderly manner and use the handrail and remove back packs. Take your seat. Take your seat quickly,move all the way to the window, facing forward and remain seated at all times. Don t save a seat for a friend. Keep all seats open for anyone who needs to sit down. Go directly to your assigned seat. Give the driver your first and last name. Riding the Bus Be Quiet. Your bus driver needs to concentrate on driving. Don t distract the driver. No electronicc devices. Students may not use cellular phones or any electronic devices while on the bus. These items will be confiscated and a parent/guardian will be required to pick them up. 7

8 Stay seated. Stay in your seat facing forward at all times. Everything inside. Ask the bus driver before opening the windows. Keep ALL of your body inside the bus. Don t put or throw anything out the window. Keep the aisles clear. Nothing should be in the aisle, no legs, arms, books, bags, or other objects that someone could trip over. Be courteous. Be courteous to fellow passengers and the driver. Always follow the driver s instructions. R X R Crossing. Remain silent at all railroad crossings. The bus driver needs to listen for oncoming trains. Getting Off the Bus Be Ready. Be ready to leave the bus before it arrives at your bus stop. Don t keep the driver and others waiting while you gather your belongings. Stay put. Wait until the bus has come to a complete stop and the front door has opened, before getting up from your seat. Wait until the people in the seats in front of you leave, before you get up from your seat. Only your stop. Get off the bus ONLY at your designated bus stop. Don t push or shove when gettingg off the bus. Get away. After leaving the bus move quickly away from the bus and out of the danger zone which is 12 feet away from the bus. Crossing the street. If you must cross the street upon which the school bus is stopped, the bus driver MUST escort you. If your parent is there, the bus driverr WILL escort you and your parent across the street. This is a vehicle code It is best to park on the same side of the street as the bus stops. Parents of kindergartens must show I.D. and come to the bus to receive students. If no one there, student will be returned to the school. NOTE: after 4:00, if parent/guardian does not pick up student, the Districtt will contact the Sherifff Dept. Emergencies Know what to do. Learn where alll the bus emergency exits and equipment are, and how to use them. Participate in evacuation drills. It s up to you. In an emergency it is up to you to stay calm. Listen to the bus driver and follow instructions carefully. 8

9 Student Transportation of America, Inc. SCHOOL BUS SAFE CROSSING OF STUDENTS As required by California Vehicle Code section 22112, and Education Code section 14103(a), as well as for the safety of your student, the following needs to be done by the school bus driver. The school bus driver must do the following: o Escort all pupils in prekindergarten, kindergarten, or any of grades 1 to 8, inclusive, who need to cross the highway or private road upon which the schoolbus is stopped. VC Section (d) (1). Note per the VC section 360, "Highway" is a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. Highway includes street. o Require all pupils who need to cross the highway or private road upon which the schoolbus is stopped to walk in front of the bus as they cross. VC Section (d)(2) Additional school bus driver requirements: o Pupils transported in a school bus or in a school pupil activity bus shall be under the authority of, and responsible directly to, the driver of the bus, and the driver shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils while they are on the bus or being escorted across a street, highway or road. EC Section 14103(a) To comply with these requirements, and to ensure the safety of your students, please do the following: In the morning: o Ensure all students are lined up five (5) minutes before the scheduled School Bus Departuree time. They should be lined up, facing the approaching school bus and at least 12 (twelve) feet from where the school bus will stop. o If the student(s) are across the street, have them wait for the School Bus Driver to escort them across the street. 9

10 In the afternoon: o If the student does not cross the road, or will enter a car parked on the same side of the street the bus stops on, then: Walk on the sidewalk, on the same side of the street the school bus is stopped on. Students may not cross any road for any reason, unless escorted by the school bus driver (in front of the bus). o If the student needs to cross any road/street, then: The school bus driver MUST escort the students across the street (even if the parents/guardians are there) ). The students MUST cross between the front of the bus and the school bus driver, but must wait for the school bus driver to escort them. Student Transportation of America, Inc. PUBLIC SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION ED CODE California Education Code, Section (a) All pupils in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, in public or private school who are transported in a school bus or school pupil activity bus shall receive instruction in school bus emergency procedures and passenger safety. The county superintendent of schools, superintendent of the school district, or owner/operator of a private school, as applicable, shall ensure that the instruction is provided as follows: (1) Upon registration, the parents or guardians of all pupils not previously transported in a school bus or school pupil activity bus and who are in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 6, inclusive, shall be provided with written information on school bus safety. The information shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: 10

11 (A) A list of school bus stops near each pupil's home. (B) General rules of conduct at school bus loading zones. (C) Red light crossing instructions. (D) School bus danger zone. (E) Walking to and from school bus stops. (2) At least once in each school year, all pupils in prekindergarten, kindergarten, and grades 1 to 8, inclusive, who receive home to school transportationn shall receive safety instruction thatt includes, but is not limited to, proper loading and unloading procedures, including escorting by the driver, how to safely cross the street, highway, or private road, instruction on the use of passenger restraint systems, as described in the paragraphs of this transportation safety and discipline plan. (3) Proper passenger conduct, bus evacuation, and location of emergency equipment. Instruction also may include responsibilities of passengers seated next to an emergency exit. As part of the instruction, pupils shall evacuate the school bus throughh emergency exit doors. (4) Instruction on the use of passenger restraint systems, when a passenger restraint system is installed, shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following: (A) Proper fastening and release of the passenger restraint system. (B) Acceptable placement of passenger restraint systems on pupils. (C) Times at which the passenger restraintt systems should be fastened and released. (D) Acceptable placement of the passenger restraint systems when not in use. (5) Prior to departuree on a school activity trip, all pupils riding on a school bus or school pupil activity bus shall receive safety instruction that includes, but is not limited to, location of emergency exits, and location and use of emergency equipment. Instruction also may include responsibilities of passengers seated next to an emergency exit. 11

12 (b) The following information shall be documented each time the instruction required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) is given: (1) Name of school district, county office of education, or private school. (2) Name and location of school. (3) Date of instruction. (4) Names of supervising adults. (5) Number of pupils participating. (6) Grade levels of pupils. (7) Subjects covered in instruction. (8) Amount of time taken for instruction. (9) Bus driver's name. (10) Bus number. (11) Additional remarks. The information recorded pursuant to this subdivision shall remain on file at the district or county office, or at the school, for one year from the date of the instruction, and shall be subject to inspectionn by the Department of the California Highway Patrol. 12

13 APPENDIX ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE ED CODES 13