Transportation
2009-2010 Bus Stop Guidelines
Woodland strives to provide safe and efficient transportation services to all students eligible to ride a bus.
Bus Routes and Guidelines:
Routes are designed using a computer routing program. Each route is then driven by a bus driver prior to the start of school to assess for potential timing or safety concerns. In order to maintain safety and efficiency, guidelines for assigning routes and making changes must be adhered to. Routes need to run for two weeks before changes or additions can be made. Routing Guidelines:
· Riding time: The goal is to keep routes as close to 30 minutes as possible, and normally not to exceed 45 minutes.
· Three point turns by the buses are discouraged, however they will be utilized on an as needed basis in those situations where students would otherwise need to walk an excessive distance and/or if potentially hazardous conditions exist.
· Buses do not drive into cul-de-sacs and circle courts.
Bus Stops:
· Transportation staff will set bus stops at approximately 3/10 of a mile* from a student’s residence for students attending Woodland Intermediate or Middle Schools.
· Transportation staff will set bus stops at approximately 2/10 of a mile* from a student’s residence for students attending Woodland Primary or Woodland Elementary Schools.
· Bus stops will generally be placed at street intersections or at permanent site markers such as fire hydrants in the event of a street distance greater than 5/10 mile.
· In the event that there is a question regarding hazardous stop locations, Transportation will use the guidelines set forth by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for determining hazardous stops. In the event that a stop is determined to be hazardous by using the IDOT formula, Transportation will relocate that stop to a non-hazardous stop location.
*Further distance may be necessary for students whose residence is determined unreachable by standard school bus.
Bus Assignment Procedures:
· Students who are registered before the end of July will be able to pick up the bus assignments and/or tags in August at the Proof of Residency.
· Parents who register his/her student after the Proof of Residency in August or during the school year will be assigned a bus route within three school days and will be notified by telephone by school staff to pick up their tag.
· During the school year, a bus tag for Early Childhood thru 3rd grade will be sent to the school office to be given to the student.
Student Responsibilities:
Student safety is of the utmost importance. In order to ensure safety, students are asked to remember:
· Bus transportation is a privilege, not a right.
· Students who violate the District’s discipline policy while on a school bus, may be denied the use of school transportation.
· Any misconduct on the bus could result in a Transportation Disciplinary Referral submission for possible disciplinary action.
· Students shall respect and obey the instructions of the bus driver.
· Students shall conduct themselves in a safe manner at all times.
· Students shall observe all rules and regulations that apply to bus transportation.
· Students will ride on assigned buses.
· Students must board and debark from the bus only at their assigned stops.
· Students must respect other people’s property.
· Walk on the side of the road facing traffic, when no sidewalks are available.
· Be aware that all buses are capable of video recording. This video recording will be used to ensure the safe operation of the bus. Video recordings are viewed to investigate an incident reported by a bus driver, administrator, supervisor, student or other person. They are viewed at random. Viewing of video recordings is limited to individuals having a legitimate educational or administrative purpose. In most instances, individuals with legitimate educational or administrative purposes will be the Superintendent, Principals, Associate Principals, and Assistant Principals, Director of Transportation, Behavior Modification Liaison, bus driver, sponsor, coach or other supervisor. A written log will be kept of those individuals viewing the video recordings stating the time, name of individual viewing, and the date recording was viewed.
A video recording may be reused or erased after 14 days unless it is needed for an educational or administrative purpose. The tape may be used for disciplinary purposes.
Before the bus arrives at the bus stop and at school:
· Be at your designated bus stop at least five (5) minutes before the bus arrives. Please help keep the bus on schedule.
· While waiting for the bus, stay off the road and respect others’ property.
· Line up in a single file line at the bus stop when the bus is approaching. Students who must cross the street to board the bus must wait for the driver to signal to cross the street. Do not run towards the bus or line up in the street.
· Use the handrail when boarding the bus. Watch your step as you are boarding and never run up the steps.
· Be courteous and careful of younger children.
While on the bus for the safety of all students:
· Students are to sit in their seats as assigned by the bus driver with a maximum of 3 to a seat.
· Always be courteous to fellow students, the bus driver, and others.
· Always remain in your seat while the bus is in motion.
· Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times. Sit quietly, facing the front of the bus. “Bottoms on the bottoms, backs on the backs, all the way to school and all the way back”.
· The aisle MUST remain clear at all times.
· Remember loud talking, laughing, or unnecessary confusion, can divert the bus driver’s attention and possibly result in an accident. Use your inside voices.
· Items brought on the bus are brought on at the individual’s own risk.
· Hold all objects on your lap.
· Leave no personal items on the bus.
· Do not throw objects in the bus or from the bus.
· Do not use pencils, pens or markers while on the bus. Theses items should remain in the backpack.
· Cell phones are not to be turned on or used while on the bus.
· Keep ABSOLUTELY QUIET when approaching a railroad crossing.
· Remain in your seat during a road emergency, unless directed otherwise by the bus driver.
· Treat the bus and its equipment as if it were in your home. Any damage to the bus or its equipment will be paid for by the person responsible for the damage and is considered vandalism.
· Assist in keeping the bus safe and sanitary at all times. There will be NO eating, drinking, chewing gum, smoking, or drugs on the bus. (Possession, use or distribution of tobacco or drugs will be considered Gross Disobedience and Misconduct on the discipline matrix).
· Animals, pets, large musical instruments, skis/snowboards, or large school projects will not be transported on the bus; these items reduce the space for student seating. Skateboards are to be in the student’s backpack if brought on the bus.
· Fighting is prohibited and can be considered Gross Disobedience and Misconduct on the discipline matrix.
· Bringing weapons on the bus is Gross Disobedience and Misconduct on the discipline matrix.
Arriving at school or your designated stop:
· Remain seated until it is your turn to depart the bus.
· Always depart in a quiet and orderly fashion.
After leaving the bus:
· Go directly into the school or your home. Loitering or walking around the bus can be dangerous.
· Be sure to depart the bus so the driver can see you at all times.
· If you have to cross the street, cross in front of the bus so you are in full view of the driver.
· The driver will signal you to cross when it is safe.
Field trips / extra curricular activities:
· When transportation is provided for school sponsored activities, the same rules in the Section Student Responsibilities beginning on page 15.
Parent Responsibilities:
· School bus transportation is a privilege, and safety is always our first consideration. Accordingly, disobedience or misconduct by your child could jeopardize the safety of other children and result in injury. Parents will be personally notified regarding their child’s behavior. If a behavior problem persists, transportation will become the responsibility of the parent.
· Students will be picked up and dropped off at their assigned stops. Students will be allowed a different stop from the am/pm (eg. student is picked up at home Monday thru Friday and is dropped off at babysitter Monday thru Friday). If special circumstances exist for your family requiring different drop off and/or pick-up locations for different days of the week due to work circumstances or day care needs, please contact the transportation office at 847-856-3644.
· Parents are responsible for their child’s behavior both on the bus and at the bus stop. The Lake County Regional Office of Education recommends that parents accompany their child to their bus stop. Parents should periodically review these transportation and safety rules with their child.
· Parents are responsible for their child observing and practicing all of the transportation rules and regulations.
· Recording devices are installed on the bus to monitor student behavior. This videotape will be used to ensure the safety of the students and assist in evaluating disciplinary action.
· Students will ride on assigned buses to an assigned stop.
· Parents are expected to cooperate with school and transportation staff relative to student safety violations or disciplinary reports.
· Parents are encouraged to communicate with school officials concerning any transportation problem or situation. If you suspect your child’s bus is late, call transportation at (847) 856-3644 for the most up-to-date information regarding bus schedules. Please call transportation instead of the school secretaries, unless it is an emergency.
· Parents wishing to drop-off and pick-up their child must do so at the designated area, as identified by each school. Parents must observe all school property, traffic and road regulations. All no parking, stopping, waiting areas have either yellow paint on the curb or have yellow lines in the driveways. Please do not park or stop in bus loading and unloading areas.
· Many route changes occur at the beginning of the school year. The bus driver will give a letter to each student on the bus, notifying parents of any changes. Please be patient with us until the rider list becomes stable.
· Bus drivers follow a schedule to provide the most efficient and safe service. As a courtesy to other families, please do not delay the driver with questions; you may call dispatch any time at (847) 856-3644 to leave a message for a bus driver.
Special Needs Transportation:
· Students will be picked up and dropped off at the curb.
· Many route changes occur at the beginning of the school year. The bus driver will keep parents informed of any changes.
· Bus drivers will wait a maximum of three (3) minutes after scheduled pick up time before moving to the next stop.
· If your child is sick and transportation is not required, please call the transportation office (847) 856-3644.
· If necessary, the bus driver or paraprofessional will walk your child in and out of the bus. The District will provide required child safety equipment (i.e.: car seat, harness, Q-Vest, etc).
· All rules set forth in Student Responsibility section above also apply to students with special needs.
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