Transportation Department 313 South fifth Street odessa, De 19730 302-376-4132 p; 302-378-5015 f transportation@appo.k12.de.us Gregg tulowitzky, Supervisor School BuS Safety
Table of Contents Superintendent s Message...1 parent s Role...2-3 Student s Responsibilities...4-5 Frequently Asked Questions...6-7 you need To Know...8 School Choice Bus Riders...9 Bus Contractor s Contact Information...Back cover School Closing Information...Back cover The mission of the Appoquinimink School District is to provide a world-class education where each of our students gains the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to and flourish in a global society.
Dear parent: Every day, 25 million American students ride a school bus to and from school safely. In fact, children are nearly eight times safer riding on the school bus than with their own parents and guardians in cars. Moreover, the protective abilities of today's school buses has never been higher, thanks to years of scientific research and testing. But even one accident is too much. So it s vitally important that you show an interest in, and emphasize the importance of, bus safety. As a parent/guardian/ caregiver, you can help preserve the safety of all students by making sure you: a) Read and understand the rules, regulations and policies associated with school bus safety. b) Spend time reviewing this handbook with your child to ensure he/she knows and follows bus safety rules and respects the authority of the bus driver. c) Support efforts to improve school bus safety. d) Communicate any concerns you may have to school administrators. e) Monitor school bus stops whenever possible.* A safe, happy ride helps students start and end the school day on a positive note. is can have an enormous impact on a child s attitude and performance in school. Attached is a copy of our bus safety plan. Please discuss the plan with your child/ren in order to reinforce these rules. It might just a save a life! Matthew L. Burrows Superintendent * Most tragedies occur while students are waiting at assigned bus stops, when children are boarding or leaving the bus, or when motorists illegally pass a stopped school bus. 1
Parent s Role Remember that riding the bus to school is a privilege. Incidents that endanger the safe operation of the school bus or the safety of other individuals riding the bus are considered misconduct. Offenses on the school bus can lead to revoked privileges. unauthorized individuals (students or adults) cannot board the school bus. Students and authorized school personnel are the only persons allowed to board the bus. By federal law, under no circumstances may an individual block the doorway or otherwise hinder the operation of the bus or bus route. Non passengers may be charged. Kindergarteners must carry identification Kindergarteners must have a nametag with their address(es) and phone number(s) for the first two weeks of school. younger students (grades pk-k) cannot leave the bus unless an adult is there to meet them. An adult must be present to meet kindergarten students at the bus stop. If an adult is not available on the scene, the bus driver will return the student to the school. Whether your child is walking to a bus stop or all the way to school, be sure to identify a route that minimizes his/her exposure to vehicular traffic. Families should carefully supervise students to and from the school bus stop. Students and parents are reminded that chasing the school bus is unsafe. Instead, use this opportunity to teach good pedestrian practices. If traveling alongside a road, walk facing oncoming traffic. plan to be at the bus stop 10 minutes before the scheduled arrival time. Students should stand in an orderly fashion, easily visible to the bus driver, as the bus approaches the stop. Drivers are required to slow down and look for students, but, when students are not visible, drivers are not required to wait for tardy students. parents are responsible for bus stop behavior. Parents are reminded that school bus stop supervision is the parent s responsibility. Upon entering the school bus, the bus driver and school administration assume responsibility for students safety until children exit the vehicle at the end of the day. 2
Damage to the bus or bus property can result in loss of bus privileges. Please remind students to show consideration and respect for the bus, their fellow bus riders, and the property of other citizens whose homes and places of business are located along their routes to and from the bus stop. When potentially harmful situations are encountered, the student(s) involved may be returned to school. Drivers are taught to use judgment in determining if the conditions are hazardous or unusual. In the event that such a situation arises, bus personnel will not allow the student(s) to leave the bus and will return the student(s) to the school. A temporary change of bus stop assignment is reserved for emergencies. A request for a temporary change in bus assignment should be submitted in writing to the school principal. Approval will be limited to emergency situations where need is clearly demonstrated. Baggage is limited to those items students can carry on their laps. School buses are not designed to store student gear. Loose objects project into the aisles and can become projectiles, weapons or blockages, causing an unsafe situation. erefore, carry-on baggage (book bags, lunch boxes, musical instruments, class projects, sports equipment) is limited to those items that students can safely hold on their lap. This does not include instruments such as drums, cellos and tubas, which are considered too large. Note: On some buses, conditions may allow seat space for excess materials, but this can change on a daily basis. The driver has the authority to refuse to allow excess baggage. The Student Code of Conduct is in force at all times. e Code outlines the rules and expectations for appropriate conduct and details the consequences for infractions. It is in effect at the bus stop while waiting, boarding, riding or exiting buses. Violations may result in the suspension of bus-riding privileges. We ask that parents/guardians carefully review this information with their student(s) in order to promote understanding and compliance. If you have a concern, please contact the School Bus Contractor, District Transportation Supervisor, principal or Assistant principal. Parents are encouraged to refrain from confronting a bus driver while on the operation of his/her route. 3
Student s Responsibilities ThE DO S 1. Respect the bus driver. Always obey the driver promptly, be courteous to him/her and to other students. e driver is in charge of the bus and has the same authority as a classroom teacher. 2. Be at your bus stop at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time. e bus cannot wait for those who are late. 3. Stand a safe distance from the bus (10 feet) until it comes to a safe stop. 4. Ride your assigned bus. 5. Get on and off the bus at your designated bus stop. 6. Sit facing the front of the bus and talk quietly. Screaming, yelling or improper language is not permitted on the bus. 7. Remain in your seat throughout the ride and keep the aisle clear. 8. Help keep the bus clean and orderly. Don t damage or abuse the equipment. 9. Stay seated until the bus comes to a complete stop. 10. If you must cross the road to reach your bus stop, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic, as you approach. Upon leaving the bus, walk around the front of the bus and STOP before crossing. Wait for your bus driver s signal that it is safe. He/she will make sure the road is clear of all traffic or that all traffic has come to a complete stop before telling you to cross. 11. Crossing guards are stationed at some locations to help you. Whenever you can, cross where guards are present. Students are not to stand in the middle of the roadway, direct traffic or assist other students in crossing the road. 12. Look both ways and make sure all traffic has stopped before crossing the street to your bus stop. 4
ThE DO not S 1. Never stand in, or play on the road while waiting for the bus. 2. Never get on (or off) the bus while it is in motion, and keep a safe distance away until the bus comes to a full stop. 3. Don t crowd to get in, or disturb others who are already seated. 4. Keep out of the driver s seat. 5. Don t call out to passers-by. 6. Do not eat or drink on the bus. Due to food allergies, food items must be kept in lunch box, bag, backpack or closed container. 7. Don t open the bus window without permission from the driver and never put your arms or head outside the window. 8. Don t leave the bus without the driver s permission, except on arrival at your regular bus stop or at school. 9. Don t tamper with emergency doors, controls, or windows. 10. Never throw anything out of, or around the bus. 11. Smoking and bad language are not allowed. 12. Fighting, harassment or intimidation will not be tolerated. 13. Spitting, obscene gestures and indecent exposure are unacceptable. 14. Large items can t be permitted on the bus if they interfere with the driver s vision, other passengers, the aisle or exits. e rule of thumb is, if the item is too big to carry on your lap, it is too big to take on the bus. 15. Unauthorized individuals (students or adults) cannot enter the bus. Any concerns you may have with a driver or student must be discussed with the building administrator and/or the bus contractor or transportation department. 5
Frequently Asked Questions Who rides the bus? To be eligible for school bus transportation, students must: a) Attend their designated feeder pattern school b) Live at least one mile from school if in grades K-6, or c) Live at least two miles from school if in grades 7-12. State law dictates the distance requirements for transportation. Regulations may be waived for students with transportation as a related service or when unique hazards are deemed by state officials to make walking unsafe. Bus stops are created within 1/2 mile of the student s home. To determine pupil eligibility for transportation benefits, measurement shall be by the most direct route provided by a public road or public walkway. e measurement shall be from the nearest point where a private road or walkway connects the legal residence of the pupil with the nearest public entrance of the school building to which the pupil is normally assigned by the district administration.* * Delaware Administrative Code, Title 14, Section 11.3 When will we get information about our bus route? Families receive confirmation by mail from the Transportation Department in mid August. is delay is necessary to accommodate the influx of new students, address change requests, etc. Your child s school can also produce an individualized printout upon request. please note: Childcare transportation requests are handled by the office staff at your student s school. When families choice to a different school because of day care needs, can those students ride the bus to their child care center? As long as a student is eligible for school bus transportation and the address of the child care provider falls within the school feeder pattern, bus transportation will be provided. When parents have shared custody, can both parents have bus stops? Delaware Code is specific in allowing each student to have one seat on one bus. e practice of reserving seats on multiple buses would cause additional and unwarranted expense for taxpayers. In custody situations, the district recommends using an agreed upon address, either a custodial parent, friend or relative. 6
Can I change my child s bus stop location? Requests motivated by environmental or safety concerns should be submitted in writing to the Appoquinimink School District Transportation Office. Letters can be mailed to 313 S. Fifth St., Odessa, DE. 19730, faxed to (302) 378-5015, or sent via email to Transportation@ appo.k12.de.us. In the event of an address change, parents should complete a Transportation Request Form (available online or in the school office) and submit it to the main office at your student s school. Who can I call when my student leaves something on the bus? Call the bus contractor first. ey are able to contact individual drivers and quickly respond to your complaint or issue. If no one answers or the contractor fails to resolve the issue, please contact the District Transportation Office at (302) 376-4132. What training do bus drivers receive? Every school bus driver is required to attend the Delaware Certified Bus Driver Training Course, which consists of 12 hours of classroom instruction and six hours behind the wheel with a certified trainer. Drivers must meet all applicable state and federal laws including: pre-employment drug test, random drug testing, child protective registry, fingerprinting and criminal background checks. In addition, they must show proof of TB screening, pass an annual physical and take part in training offered by the District. What is the capacity of my child s bus? State regulations establish bus capacity for grades K-6 at 13 inches per child. For grades 7-12 the capacity increases to 15 inches. Bus seats are 39 inches. erefore 72 students can ride an early childhood or elementary bus while 48-60 students can ride a middle school bus and up to 48 students can ride a high school bus. I have a complaint about the bus driver. Who do I call? Please call the bus contractor. If the contractor fails to resolve the issue or is unable to do so, contact the District Transportation Office at (302) 376-4132. Why is it important to change a student s address at the school? e student s school is the primary record keeper for ALL student information. Address information is transmitted electronically to the transportation database and used to develop routes. e Transportation Office is unable to make address changes; therefore, any information that has changed for the student must be changed at the school level in order for proper routing to occur. 7
You Need To Know Information that appears on this page is excerpted from the Student Code of Conduct. Each student receives a copy of the Code (handbook) at the beginning of the school year. Electronic versions are available on school and district websites. ThE STuDEnT CODE OF COnDuCT IS In FORCE: a) While students are on the school bus or in a district vehicle for any reason. b) When a student s conduct to and from school and/or at the bus stop has a harmful effect on the other students, the community or on the orderly educational process. VIOlATIOnS OF ThE STuDEnT CODE OF COnDuCT While entering, exiting, or riding the school bus, drivers have the same authority as teachers to enforce the Student Code of Conduct. use OF SuRVEIllAnCE EQuIpMEnT FOR SAFETy AnD SECuRITy To help assure the safety and security of the students and staff of the Appoquinimink School District, the District may use cameras and audio devices to monitor public areas or accesses to restricted areas in schools, on school property, or school buses. Recordings from devices installed for safety and security may be used as the basis of disciplinary actions, or, if appropriate, criminal prosecutions against persons committing violations on school property. is section does not preclude the installation of recording or monitoring devices as part of a criminal or administrative investigation in compliance with pertinent authorities, laws, and procedures for the conduct of such investigations. harassment e District has a strong, proactive response in place to deal with harassment. Families are requested to refer to the Code of Conduct for an in-depth explanation including contact persons within the district. 8
School Choice Bus Riders As the parent of a student accepted for school choice, you may transport your child to his/her choice school or you may request bus transportation from the closest stop within the school feeder pattern for that school. Bus stops cannot be created to accommodate choice students or assigned to a bus route that has already reached capacity. In some cases, the closest bus stop may be the school itself. Bus stop information for non-choice students will be mailed to homes around the middle of August. Choice families may then contact the district and request their student be assigned to the closest bus stop within the school feeder pattern for that school. TO REQuEST ThE ClOSEST BuS STOp: n Complete a Transportation Request Form (TRF). n Copies can be found at the front desk of your student s school or on the district website, http://www.apposchooldistrict.com under the REGISTRATION button. (Click on the link to REGISTRATION FORMS then be sure to select the correct year for the TRANSPORTATION FORM.) n Please note that forms cannot be processed if the parent or guardian does not sign the document. n Submission options: Ø Fax the TRF to the Transportation Department at (302) 378-5015 Ø Scan and email to Transportation@appo.k12.de.us Ø Mail or deliver the form to the Appoquinimink Transportation Office, 313 S. Fifth St., Suite 220, Odessa, DE 19730-4010 Attn: Choice Transportation 9
Bus Contractors Advanced Student Transportation Joanne Watson Office: (302) 464-3042 Office: (302) 653-6892 (302) 998-6726 McCain Inc. Stapleford, Inc. Office: (302) 653-8453 Office: (302) 834-4568 School Closing Information: During inclement weather or emergency situations, early dismissal/ school closing information will be posted: WEB: On the home page of the district s website www.apposchooldistrict.com FACEBOOK: On our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/apposchooldistrict AuTOMATED MESSAgES (phone, EMAIl, TExT): e district uses an automated message system to alert parents. To ensure its effectiveness, it is crucial that we have the correct phone, mobile phone and email address information on file for your family and emergency contacts. Please supply updates to the office whenever changes occur. RADIO: 93.7 FM WSTW; 1150 AM WDEL 99.5 FM WJBR ThE STATE S notification SySTEM: Parents can register for email notification through the Delaware Department of Education's School Closing Website at https://de.blackboardconnect.com and entering their information. To view the status of the school closings across the state, go to: http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov. The Appoquinimink School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, disability, marital status, national origin, or other legally protected categories in its educational programs, activities, employment, or student admissions policies or practices. Inquires regarding compliance with the above can be directed to: SECTIOn 504 Contact Kittie Rehrig, Assistant to the Superintendent, Appoquinimink School District, 313 S. Fifth St., po 4010, Odessa, DE 19730-4010, telephone (302) 376-4111. Responsibilities: To coordinate the Appoquinimink School District s efforts to comply with the disability discrimination laws. TITlE Ix Contact Matt Fallis, Director of personnel, Appoquinimink School District, 313 S. Fifth St., po 4010, Odessa, DE 19730-4010, telephone (302) 376-4275. Responsibilities: To coordinate the Appoquinimink School District s efforts to comply with and carry out the District s responsibilities under Title Ix, including any investigation of any complaint alleging noncompliance with Title Ix or alleging actions which would be prohibited by Title Ix.