TULARECITYSCHOOLDISTRICT AB1297TRANSPORTATION SAFETYPLANGUIDELINES ADOPTED:September9,2014 JEROMEMIRANDA MANAGERI(TRANSPORTATION) Tulare Tulare City School District
TULARECITYSCHOOLDISTRICT AB1297TRANSPORTATIONSAFETYPLANGUIDELINES AssemblyBill1297becamelaweffectiveJanuary1,1998.Thisnewlawrequiresallschoolbusoperatorstouse thebus sredcrossoverlightsatanybusstopwherestudentsloadorunloadtheschoolbus.additionally,school busoperatorsmusthavea safetyplanon file at each school that details several items about the school bus program. AssemblyBill1573becamelaweffectiveOctober10,1999.Thisnewlawcreatesspecifiedexemptionstothe requirementthataschoolbusdisplayaflashingredsignallightwhenstoppedtoloadandunloadstudents,(see exemptionsinredlightcrossingsectionofthisinformationguide). ThefollowinginformationidentifiesthekeycomponentsoftheTulareCitySchoolDistrictTransportationSafety GuidelinesastheypertaintoAB1297. 1.BUSROUTES The district maintains a current board approved bus route for each school bus. The bus routes identify the school bus number and a sequential listing of loading and unloading stops and times. Each bus route also identifiesthestopsthatrequirethebusdrivertoescortstudentsacrossthestreet.additionally,theplanwill identifystudentsrequiringescortatthosestops.thebusroutesarefiledattheschoolsanddistrictoffice. 2.BOARDINGANDEXITINGPROCEDURES BOARDING:Parentsareencouragedtohavetheirstudentsarriveatthedesignatedschoolbusstopsfivetoten minutesbeforethescheduledbustime.studentsneedtolineupparalleltothecurbaminimumof10feetfrom the curb, and wait for the school bus in an orderly manner. Upon approaching the school bus stop where studentsareloadingorunloading,thedriveroftheschoolbusshallactivateanapprovedflashingamberlight warningsystem,ifthebusissoequipped,beginning200feetbeforethebusstop.thebusdriverwillstopthe bus approximately 10 feet from the students and activate the red flashing cross over lights before students enterthebus.studentswillwaituntilthebuscomestoacompletestopandwaituntilthedoorsopenbefore approachingthebus.thestudentswillenterthebusinsinglefile.boysandgirlswillsitonoppositesidesofthe busandremainseateduntiltheyarriveattheirdesignatedstops. EXITING:Busdriverswillactivatetheredflashingcrossoverlightsateverydesignatedbusstopbeforestudents exit the school bus. Students will exit the bus from the front to back alternating from left to right until all studentshaveexited,unlessdirectedotherwisebythedriver.studentswillexitthebusatapproveddesignated stops. Students will not be allowed to exit at another existing loading/unloading area unless prior written approval has been provided to the bus driver with the signatures of both the parent and the school site principal.theschoolbusdriverwillescortstudentsrequiringescortacrossthestreet. 3.INSTRUCTIONSINPASSENGERSAFETY As per Education Code Section 39831.5, at least once each school year, all pupils in district preschool, kindergartenandgradesonetoeight,inclusive,shallreceivesafetyinstructionwhichincludesbutisnotlimited to,properloadingandunloadingprocedures,includingescortingbythedriver,properpassengerconduct,bus evacuation,andlocationofemergencyequipment.instructionalsomayincluderesponsibilitiesofpassengers seated next to an emergency exit. As part of the instruction, pupils shall evacuate the school bus through emergencyexitdoors.
Thefollowinginformationwillbedocumentedeachtimethebusdriverconductstheannualsafetyinstruction andevacuationdrill.thedocumentationwillbekeptonfileatthedistricttransportationofficeforoneyear. 1. NameofschooldistrictandCountyOfficeofEducation 2. Nameandlocationofschool 3. Dateofinstruction 4. Namesofsupervisingadults 5. Numberofpupilsparticipating 6. Gradelevels 7. Subjectscoveredininstruction 8. Amountoftimetakenforinstruction 9. Busdriver sname 10. Busnumber 11. Additionalremarks PREITRIPINFORMATION:Priortodepartureonaschoolactivitytrip,thebusdriverwillreviewthelocationof emergencyexitsandlocationanduseofemergencyequipment.instructionalsomayincluderesponsibilitiesof passengersseatednexttoanemergencyexit. DANGER ZONES:As with any large moving vehicles, school buses have specific danger zones that are to be avoidedatalltimesbystudentsandpedestrians.individualsaretoavoidstanding,walking,orrunningatthe immediateareainfrontorbackexteriorsectionsofthebus.theseareasarealwaysofgreatconcerntoallbus drivers because they pose limited visibility or what are known as blind spots. Another danger zone is the immediateareaalongthesidesoftheschoolbus.studentsaretostayawayfromthesidesofthebusdueto theexposuretothewheels.whenenteringorexitingtheschoolbus,passengersshouldalwaysusethehandrail topreventslippingortripping. RED LIGHT CROSSING: Under Assembly Bill 1297, dated January 1, 1998, school bus drivers are required to activatetheflashingredlightsatlocationswhereastudentisloadingorunloading,whetherornotthestudent willbecrossingtheroadway.trafficinbothdirectionsisrequiredtostopuntiltheflashinglightsareturnedoff. Thislegislationwasintroducedtoprotectschoolchildren,whichsometimesdartunexpectedlyacrossthestreet into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Each of the school bus routes identifies specific stops and names of studentsthatnecessitatethebusdrivertoescortthemacrosstheroadway.weurgemotoriststoabidebythis lawandconsultwiththetransportationdepartmentifthereareanyquestionsregardingthelaw. 4.SCHOOLBUSSTOPS(REGULATIONS)13CCR1238.Thefollowingsectionisfrom13CCR: 1238. (a) Designated Stops. School bus and SPAB stops made for receiving and discharging pupils shall be designatedbytheschooldistrictsuperintendent. 1238.(b)ProhibitedStops.Aschoolbusstopshallnotbedesignatedatthefollowinglocations: (1) Within200feetofthenearestrailofanyrailroadcrossingorgrade,exceptatrailroadstationsoron highwaysthatparalleltherailroadtracks. (2) Theleft^handsideofanyhighway. (3) Onadividedormultiple^lanehighwaywherepupilsmustcrossthehighwaytoboardorafterexiting the bus, unless traffic is controlled by a traffic officer or official traffic control signal. For the purposesofthissubsection,amultiple^lanehighwayisdefinedasanyhighwayhavingtwoormore lanesoftravelineachdirection. 1238.(c)CHPApproval.Unlessapprovedbythedepartment,aschoolbusstopshallnotbedesignatedatthe followinglocations:
(1) Uponthemaintraveledportionofahighwaywherethereisnotaclearviewofthestopfrom500 feetineachdirectionalongthehighwayandthespeedlimitismorethan25mph. (2) Onahighway,pursuanttoVehicleCodeSection22504(c). 5.SCHOOLBUSSTOPSIGNALARM 13CCR1256.5(7)(G).Thefollowingsectionisfrom13CCR. 1256.5(7)(G)Operation.Thestopsignalarmshallbeoperatedbyelectricity,airorvacuum.Manualoperation of the stop signal arm is prohibited. The stop signal arm shall be automatically extended whenever the alternatelyflashingredsignallampswitchisactivatedasrequiredbyvehiclecodesection22112.thestoparm shallnotbeactivatedordeployedatanyothertime. 6.SCHOOLBUSSIGNAL 22112VC.ThefollowingsectionisquotedfromtheVC: 22112.(a):Onapproachtoaschoolbusstopwherepupilsareloadingorunloadingfromaschoolbus,the school bus driver shall activate an approved amber warning light system, if the school bus is so equipped, beginning200feetbeforetheschoolbusstop.theschoolbusdrivershalldeactivatetheamberwarninglight system after reaching the school bus stop. The school bus driver shall operate the flashing red light signal systemandstopsignalarm,asrequiredontheschoolbus,atalltimeswhentheschoolbusisstoppedforthe purposeofloadingorunloadingpupils.thestatutenolongerallowsaschoolbusdriverto:waitfortrafficto clear;activatetheredlightswhensafetodoso;orcheckforapproachingtrafficinalldirections.thestatuteis clearandconcise,inordertoprovidethehighestlevelofsafetytoschoolpupilswhoregularlyrunacrossstreets orexpeditetheirapproachtoastoppedschoolbus.theredlightsmustbeactivatedatalltimeswhenaschool busisstoppedforthepurposeofloadingorunloadingschoolpupils.theflashingredlightsignalsystem,amber warninglightssystem,andstopsignalarmshallnotbeoperatedatanyplacewheretrafficiscontrolledbya trafficofficeroratanylocationidentifiedinsubdivision(e)ofthissection.theschoolbusflashingredlight signalsystem,amberwarninglightssystem,andstopsignalarmshallnotbeoperatedatanyothertime. 22112.(b):Theschoolbusdrivershallstoptoloadorunloadpupilsonlyataschoolbusstopdesignatedfor pupilsbytheschooldistrictsuperintendentorauthorizedbythesuperintendentforschoolactivitytrips. 22112.(c):Whenaschoolbusisstoppedonahighwayorprivateroadforthepurposeofloadingorunloading pupils,atalocationwheretrafficisnotcontrolledbyatrafficofficer,thedrivershall,beforeopeningthedoor, ensurethattheflashingredlightsignalsystemandstopsignalarmareactivated,andthatitissafetoenteror exittheschoolbus. 22112.(d):Whenaschoolbusisstoppedonahighwayorprivateroadforthepurposeofloadingorunloading pupils,atalocationweretrafficisnotcontrolledbyatrafficofficerorofficialtrafficcontrolsignal,theschool busdrivershalldoallofthefollowing: (1) Escortallpupilsinpre^kindergarten,kindergarten,oranyofgrades1to8,inclusive,whichneedto crossthehighwayorprivateroaduponwhichtheschoolbusisstopped.thedrivershallusean approvedhand^held STOP signwhileescortingallpupils. (2) Require all pupils who need to cross the highway or private road upon which the school bus is stoppedtowalkinfrontofthebusastheycross. (3) Ensure that all pupils who need to cross the highway or private road, which the school bus is stoppedtohavecrossedsafely,andthatallotherpupilsandpedestriansareasafedistancefrom theschoolbusbeforesettingtheschoolbusinmotion. 22112. (e): Except at a location where pupils are loading or unloading from a school bus and must cross a highwayorprivateroaduponwhichtheschoolbusisstopped,theschoolbusdrivermaynotactivatetheamber warninglightsystem,theflashingredlightsignalsystemandstopsignalarmatanyofthefollowinglocations: (1) Schoolbusloadingzonesonoradjacenttoschoolgroundsorduringanactivitytrip,iftheschoolbus islawfullystoppedorparked.
(2) Where the school bus is disabled due to mechanical breakdown. The driver of a relief bus that arrivesatthescenetotransportpupilsfromthedisabledschoolbusshallnotactivatetheamber warninglightsystem,theflashingredlightsystem,andstopsignalarm. (3) Whereapupilrequiresphysicalassistancefromthedriverorauthorizedattendanttoboardorleave theschoolbusandprovidingtheassistanceextendsthelengthoftimetheschoolbusisstopped beyondthetimerequiredtoloadorunloadapupilthatdoesnotrequirephysicalassistance. (4) Wheretheroadwaysurfaceonwhichthebusisstoppedispartiallyorcompletelycoveredbysnow or ice and requiring traffic to stop would pose a safety hazard as determined by the school bus motorcarrier. (5) Onastatehighwaywithapostedspeedlimitof55milesperhourorhigherwheretheschoolbusis completelyoffthemaintraveledportionofthehighway. (6) Anylocationdeterminedbyaschooldistrict,withtheapprovaloftheDepartmentoftheCalifornia HighwayPatrol,topresentatrafficorsafetyhazard. 22112.(f):Notwithstandingsubdivisions(a)to(d),inclusive,theDepartmentoftheCaliforniaHighwayPatrol mayrequiretheactivationofanapprovedflashingamberwarninglightsystem,iftheschoolbusissoequipped, ortheflashingredlightsignalsystemandstopsignalarm,asrequiredontheschoolbus,atanylocationwhere thedepartmentdeterminesthattheactivationisnecessaryforthesafetyofschoolpupilsloadingorunloading fromaschoolbus. 7. REPORTINGFAILURETOSTOPFORSCHOOLBUS ThedriveroftheschoolbusoranyotherpersonwhoobservesamotorvehicleviolateSection22454VCby overtakingaschoolbusoperatingitsflashingredlightsignalsystemand/orhavingthestopsignalarmdeployed may within 24 hours report the violation to the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the offense.thereportshouldcontainthefollowing: (a)reportedby (b)dateandtimeofviolation (c)locationofviolation (d)directionoftravelofviolator (e)approximatespeedofvehicle (f)colorofvehicle (g)licensenumber (h)vehicleyear,make,andmodel (i)descriptionofdriver 8. SPECIALEDUCATION Transportationofspecialeducationstudentsishandledonacase^by^casebasis.Duetotheuniquenessofeach individualstudent,somestudentsareabletobetransportedviatheregularbustransportationsystemwhile otherstudentsmaybetransportedbytheparent,citytransportation,orothertransportationproviderapproved bythedistrict. 9.ADDITIONALLAWS EDUCATIONCODE39831.5:Uponregistration,theparentsorguardiansofallpupilsnotpreviouslytransported inaschoolbusthatareindistrictpreschoolprogramsandgradeskindergartentoeighthgradeshallbeprovided withwritteninformationonschoolbussafety.theinformationshallinclude: A. Alistofavailabletransportationschedulesforreviewuponrequestattheschooloffice. B. General rules of conduct on the bus and at school bus loading zones (See Addendum B, T.C.S.D. NoticeofUnsatisfactoryConductonSchoolBus).
C. Redlightcrossinginstructions. D. Schoolbusdangerzone(12 ). E. Walkingtoandfromschoolbusstops. REDUCEVISIBILITYPLAN VEHICLECODE34501.6VC:VisibilityRestrictions The governing board of a local educational agency that provides for the transportation of pupils shall adopt procedures that limit the operation of school buses when atmospheric conditions reduce visibility on the roadwayto200feetorlessduringregularhome^to^schooltransportationservice.operationalpoliciesforschool activitytripsshallgiveschoolbusdriversdiscretionaryauthoritytodiscontinueschoolbusoperationifthedriver determinesthatitisunsafetocontinueoperationbecauseofreducedvisibility. TheTulareCitySchoolDistrictstaffsharesthedeepconcernofparentsrelatedtothedangersthefoggyseason brings.appropriatefoggydaybusproceduresarevitaltostudentsafety. TheTulareCitySchoolDistrictadministrationandtransportationdepartmentshavedevelopedaspotcheckplan tolimittheoperationofschoolbuseswhentheatmosphericconditionsreducevisibilityontheroadwayto200 feetorlessduringregularhome^to^schooltransportationservice.specialtelephonearrangementshavebeen madewithvolunteerresidentsthatliveindifferentgeographicareasthroughoutthecommunitytoprovideour transportationdepartmentwithvisibilityinformation.designatedvisibilitymarkershavebeenestablishedwith each of the volunteers. Whenever dense fog presents itself, communication is made with the designated volunteerstodetermineifthe200feetvisibilitymarkerscanbeseen. Inadditiontothevolunteerinformation,theManagerI(Transportation)willmonitorthefog,eitherfromthe DistrictOfficeorbyvehicle,travelingtoquestionableareas.Ifadeterminationismadethatconditionsreduce roadwayvisibilitytolessthan200feet,afoggydaybusschedulewillbeannouncedonlocalradioandtelevision stations. Due to the unpredictability of fog, if the conditions change after the transportation services are in progress, the school bus drivers shall have discretionary authority to discontinue school bus operation if the driverdeterminesthatisunsafetocontinueoperationbecauseofreducedvisibility(seeaddenduma,foggy DayBusSchedule).
TulareCitySchoolDistrict FoggyDayProcedures 2014I2015 StepONE: 1. LogintoParentLink 2. Clickon Messages 3. Under ExistingMessages or Drafts choosetheoptionthatcorrespondstotheappropriatefoggydayschedule neededbesuretoclickonthebox Emergency nearthebottomsoitgetssentoutimmediately 4. Usingthe To: button,selectwhoneedstoreceivethemessage(alwaysincludeclaregist)click Done a. BesuretosendthemessagetoPARENTSandPRINCIPALS b. WhenusingPlanBorPlanD,justsentthemessageouttoparentsandprincipalsofAlpineVista,Cherry, CypressandLiveOak 5. Besuretodeselectthered e^mail buttononthefarrightofthescreen 6. Clickonthe send button StepTWO: TextSamanthaSousa@559^936^9130withthefollowingphrasethatcorrespondstotheplanineffect.Leaveoutthe quotationmarks. Forexample: "PlanA123" "PlanB123" "PlanC123"or "PlanD123" Itshouldpostwithin15minutesofsendingthetext,ifnotthencallherandshewillpostitASAP. PlanA: FoggyDayBusSchedulefortoday:Allclasseswillbeginatregulartime,8:20AM.ALLBUSES2HOURDELAY^ SHUTTLEBUSESAT8:05A.M. Shuttlebustransportationisforyoungsterswhowalktotheschoolintheirneighborhoodtobebusedtoanother school.theshuttlebuseswilldepartfromeachschoolat8:05a.m. PlanB: FoggyDayBusSchedulefortoday:Allclasseswillbeginatregulartime,8:20AM.BUSES15AND19^2HOUR DELAY(Buses15and19pick^upinsoutheastCypressattendanceareaonly). PlanC: FoggyDayBusSchedulefortodayUPDATE:Allclasseswillbeginatregulartime,8:20AM.Allbusescanceled. PlanD: FoggyDayBusSchedulefortodayUPDATE:Allclasseswillbeginatregulartime,8:20AM.OnlyBuses15and19 canceled. StepTHREE: 1. CallallTVstations: a. KMPH26 453^8850(Password:Chimichanga) b. KFSN30 490^3235(Password:We2love2Action2News2AM2Live) c. CBS47 225^1133ore^mail fog@cbs47.tv(password:paper) 2. CallallRADIOStations: a. KJUGAM1270/FM106.7/FM104.9 741^1270(No2Password) b. KDUVSpiritRadioFM88.9 1^877^530^5388 3. NotifytheNEWSPAPER: a. VisaliaTimesDelta EricWoomer 786^9291or735^3274
BUSCITATION STUDENT DATE SCHOOL DRIVER/BUS DearParent/Guardian: TheTulareCitySchoolDistricthasadoptedrulestoassiststudentsinunderstandingtheirresponsibilitieswhile ridingdistrictbuses.theserulesassuresafeandpropertraveltoandfromschool,andaretobeobservedwhile ridingthebusandwaitingatschoolbusstops.allstudentsareexpectedtobesafe,respecteachother,and respectthebus. Title5CaliforniaAdministrativeCode,Section14103states, AuthorityofDriver Pupilstransportedinaschool bus shall be under the authority of and responsible directly to the driver of the bus. Continued disorderly conductorpersistentrefusaltosubmittotheauthorityofthedrivershallbesufficientreasonforapupiltobe deniedtransportationinaccordancewithregulationsofthegoverningboardofthedistrict.thedriverofany schoolbusshallbeheldresponsiblefortheorderlyconductofthepupilstransported. YourchildviolatedoneormoreoftheDistrict srulesbelow: Besafe. Respecteachother. Respectthebus. Explanationofthisbuscitation: ConsequenceforthisBusCitation Thisisyourchild s: FirstCitation = Warning SecondCitation = Warningofthree(3)daybusridingsuspensionuponnextcitation ThirdCitation = Three(3)daybusridingsuspension[DatesSuspended: ] FourthCitation = Two(2)weeksbusridingsuspension[DatesSuspended: ] FifthCitation = Balanceofyearbusridingsuspension TheTulareCitySchoolDistrictwishestothankyouforyourcooperation.Weaskthatyoudiscussthiscitation with your child and assist him/her in being safe, respecting others and respecting the bus. Please sign and returnthisnoticetohis/herprincipal. Parent/GuardianName: Signature: AdministratorNotifyingParent: Signature:
STUDENTRESPONSIBILITIESWHILERIDINGSCHOOLBUSES The following list of actions constitutes violations of the rules and regulations as establishedbythetularecityschooldistrictboardoftrustees: Abusivebodycontact(slapping,hitting,poking,shoving,pullinghair,etc.),inorwhenloading orunloadingthebus Fightingonthebus,oratbusstop Usingotherthanthestudent sregularlydesignatedbusstopunlessrequestedbytheparentor guardianandapprovedbytheprincipal Usingprofanelanguageorobscenegestures Unauthorizedexits(fromemergencydoors,windows) Puttinganypartofbodyoutofbuswindowatanytime AnymovementOUTofseatswhilebusisinmotion Ridingbusafterreceivingnoridepenalty Legs,feetandobjectsobstructingaisleorfacingtotherearinseats Creatingexcessivenoise Anyimproperbusstopprocedures(noliningup,rockthrowing,playinginstreet,anyproperty damageatbusstops,etc.) Unauthorized opening, closing, or tampering of any kind with bus doors, windows or emergencyexits Anytypeofdamageordefacingofbus Lightingofmatches,cigarettes,smokingonbus Throwinganyobjectsin,outof,oratthebus Litteringofanykind Transportingliveanimals,reptilesorinsectsonaschoolbus Eatingordrinkingonthebus Disrespecttothebusdriver Failuretogiveproperidentificationwhenrequestedbydriver Tamperingwithradioorbuscontrols Failuretoobeydriver Failuretoremainquietatallrailroadcrossings Endangeringlifeorlimbofotherpeople Otherunauthorizedorunsafeactions
EVACUATIONDRILL InCaseofEmergency: Don tpanic panicinjurieshurtmorepeoplethanmostaccidents Showhowtoturnoffengineandsetparkingbrake Beextraquietduringfoggyweatherandatallrailroadcrossings Remindyourparentsandfriendstostopwhentheyseetheredlightsflashing Talkaboutpowerlinesonandaroundthebus Talkaboutgasleaks Alwaysbeonthealertforsmokeorfire(don tlightmatches) Showthememergencyphonenumbers Explaintothemhowtheolderchildrenwillbesentforhelpandtheteacherwillassistintimeof emergency Showhowtoopenfrontdoor Makesureyouusethehandrail^loading(youmustbe10 awayfromthebus)andunloading Showschoolbusdangerzones(12 fromthebus) Showthememergencyexitsandhowtouse Busevacuationproceduresandresponsibilitiesofpassengersseatednexttoanemergencyexit Showhowtopositionyourselftojumpfromemergencydoor Showthemwheretheemergencyequipmentislocated Break^outwindowswillhaveheavyrubberstrippingaroundthem Ifwehavetoevacuatethebus,go40stepsawayanddon trunorpush(alwaysevacuateaway fromtheroad) Itisalwayssafertostayinthebusifthereisn tarealneedtoevacuate RemindStudents: BusRules o BeSafe o RespectEachOther o RespecttheBus Camerasonallbuses Bus16and20 Buseshaveseatbelts ToHelpAvoidEmergencies: Don tchangeseatsafterthebusleavestheschool Nevereat,drinkorchewgumonaschoolbus Don tthrowanythingoutofthewindow;itmaycauseanaccidenttoyourbusorsomeoneelse Talktoyourfriendsinanormalvoicesothedriverwillbeabletohearsoundsaroundthebus Donotbringdistractingobjects(balloons,flags,radios)onthebus Allpencilsandpensmustbesecuredinbackpack,pocketorputaway Nolongchainsonbackpack;theycangetcaughtindoorwayorifyouswingbackpackitcould hitsomeontheface