Transportation Guidelines For Students and Parents
HELP US TEACH THESE BASIC RULES TO YOUR CHILD
- Being on time at the bus stop is essential. Each student should be at the bus stop five to ten minutes before the time the bus normally arrives. Each student should have books in hand and be ready to board the bus by the time the driver opens the door.
- Students are expected to sit facing the front of the bus and remain in their seats until the bus stops for unloading.
- Students will be permitted to carry only books and other items related to school work which can be held in the student’s lap. This includes musical instruments.
- All students will be assigned a specific seat on the bus.
- No eating or drinking is permitted on the school bus.
- Routes will be run the same way each day. Routes may be altered in the afternoon due to severe weather.
- Students are permitted to talk in a normal tone while on the bus. Loud talk or screaming cannot be tolerated. Absolute silence will be enforced at all railroad crossing and hazardous intersections.
- Students should always cross in front of, never behind the bus.
- Students should not open or close windows without permission from the driver.
- Students should not behave in any manner that would jeopardize the safety of the bus.
Disciplinary Action
No student shall interfere with the safe transportation of any other student on a Newton County school bus. Riding the bus is a privilege that can be revoked.
All students who ride a bus to and from school are subject to regulations until they get off the bus at their school or at a stop near their home.
Any misbehavior which distracts the driver is a very serious hazard to the safe operation of the bus. The safety of all passengers must not be jeopardized.
The following offenses may result in suspension from the bus:
- Throwing objects in the bus or out of the windows.
- Vandalism.
- Lighting matches, lighters, etc.
- Inappropriate language.
- Fighting. (Juvenile complaint forms will be filed on all middle or high school students fighting).
- Failure to remain in seat.
- Refusing to obey the driver.
- Hanging out the window.
- Eating or drinking on the bus.
School personnel will notify parents when disciplinary action is necessary
ROUTING INFORMATION
All bus routes are planned and operated with a minimum of mileage, ensuring that buses arrive at school on time, therefore minimizing the time that students are onboard.
All students must live .4 (four-tenths) of a mile, or more, off the main route before a spur route will be designated, provided there is a turn around location and road conditions are satisfactory. This is determined by the Transportation Department.
Stops on subdivision streets will be no closer that .2 (two-tenths) of a mile apart or at the closest cross street.
Road conditions and hazards will determine bus stops. The Transportation Department designates all bus stops on your route.
SPECIAL NOTICE TO PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN GRADES K-5.
If you are not at home, or if other arrangements have not been made, your child will be returned to their home school. Such arrangements should be noted on the student information card and returned to the driver at the beginning of the school year
Parent Information For Students Who Need Special Needs Transportation
Special School Bus Route Information
DO ALL SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS RIDE ON SPECIAL BUSES?
- Special transportation will be provided for students who need it because of their disability or the location of their program. Otherwise they will ride the regular school bus.
- Curb-to-curb bus service is arranged by the Transportation Department for students who need it. School bus safety standards are always followed.
WHEN WILL YOUR CHILD’S BUS RIDE START?
- Every effort is made to arrange transportation as quickly as possible.
- It takes an average of 3 days for the school bus ride to be arranged.
- When the Special Education Department assigns a student to a program less than two weeks before a school starts, a bus route may not be arranged by the start of school.
- Parents may be asked to transport their child for a maximum of one week.
IF YOU MOVE, WILL YOUR CHILD RIDE THE SAME BUS?
- An address change may require a bus change.
- Parents should call their School’s Office in advance to give them the date you are moving, the new address and the phone number.
- Bus route changes take 3 days to start.
WHAT IF A STUDENT IS PICKED UP AND DROPPED OFF AT AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THEIR HOME?
- Bus routes can only allow for one address for the pick-up and one address for the drop-off, five days a week.
- One day changes cannot be made.
- Try to keep the day care address close to home.
CAN THE PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF TIME CHANGE FROM DAY TO DAY?
- Special Education school bus routes vary according to the needs of each student riding.
- Allow for a 5 to 10 minute leeway both morning and afternoon.
- Be ready and waiting for the school bus 5 minutes before it is scheduled to arrive.
- The school bus waits only 2 minutes for the student.
WHAT IF YOUR CHILD’S NEEDS CHANGE AND A WHEELCHAIR OR SPECIAL EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED?
A bus change may be necessary.
Contact the School Office so that the necessary arrangements can be made.
SCHOOL BUS DRIVER AND BUS MONITOR RESPONSIBILITIES
WHAT ARE THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER’S RESPONSIBILITIES?
· School bus drivers are professional drivers with special training and Commercial Drivers Licenses.
· They work directly for Newton County Schools.
· They are responsible for driving the bus safely, transporting the students and staying on time.
· Because of routing they can only wait 2 minutes at a bus stop before going on. Drivers are told not to blow their horn at bus stops.
WHAT ARE THE SCHOOL BUS MONITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES?
· The school bus monitor works with the driver to be sure all the students are safe on the bus.
· They secure seat belts, wheelchairs, necessary supports, etc.
· The monitor maintains discipline, sees that the students stay in their seats, and reports problems to the schools.
· They seek emergency medical help when needed.
· Bus monitors are provided where they are most needed.
CAN A BUS MONITOR COME TO THE DOOR TO PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF A STUDENT?
· Bus monitor’s work with students in the area in and around the bus.
· Their responsibility is to assist a student to the curb.
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES
WHAT ARE THE PARENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES?
· Have your child fully clothed, toileted and ready 5 minutes before pick-up time.
· Accompany your child to the curb.
· If your child has not ridden for more than 5 days, the bus will stop coming until you call the
Transportation office to restart your child.
· Notify the School Office in advance if your address or phone number changes.
IF YOUR CHILD MISSES THE BUS, CAN IT COME BACK?
· The driver does not come back because they are responsible for continuing the route so that other students arrive at school on time.
· Transport your child to school as quickly as possible.
WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT AT DROP-OFF TIME?
· Be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to drop-off your child.
· Meet your child at the curb so that the driver can make custodial transfer of your child to you or another responsible person.
· Students who are not met will be returned to their home school or transported to the Newton County Schools Central Office at 3187 Newton Drive, Covington, Ga. (770)787-1330.
HOW CAN A PARENT HELP TO MAKE THE SCHOOL BUS SAFE?
· Teach your child the school bus safety rules and appropriate bus riding behavior.
WHY MUST THE PARENT FILL OUT AN EMERGENCY INFORMATION FORM?
· Pupil Transportation Policy requires that the bus driver have emergency and health information in the bus for each student.
· Parents must provide this information. The form can be filled out at the student’s Individual Education Program (IEP) meeting by school staff and parents together.
· This information is required before the student can ride the bus.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR
WHAT BEHAVIOR IS EXPECTED OF A STUDENT WHILE RIDING THE SCHOOL BUS?
· We expect all students to follow the bus safety rules for the safety of your child and others who ride the bus.
The School Bus Safety Rules are:
1. Be on time
2. Always sit down
3. Buckle Seat Belt
4. Be Quiet
5. Listen to Driver and Monitor
6. No eating or Drinking
7. No fighting
HOW WILL DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS BE HANDLED?
· Bus behavior problems are reported to the school on conduct reports filled out by the bus driver or the monitor.
· The School Administration decides what disciplinary action will be taken to enforce safe behavior on the bus including: suspension from school, suspension of bus riding privileges, detention, parent conference and bus ridership training.
WHAT IF A STUDENT DOES NOT FOLLOW THE BUS SAFETY RULES?
· Students who can not or will not follow the bus safety rules are subject to suspension or some action which will ensure safety on the bus for themselves and all riders.
WHAT IF NO ONE IS HOME TO RECEIVE A STUDENT.
If you cannot be present to receive your student, please make arrangements to have a responsible person meet the bus. The name and number of this person must be given to the bus driver. The bus driver is not authorized to leave the student with anyone other than the person designated or to deliver the student to another address.
If no one is at the p.m. address to receive your student, the bus driver will be instructed to keep the student on the bus and proceed on their route. The home school will be immediately notified of the problem. Every attempt will be made to contact the parents/guardians or emergency contact person to receive the student at the telephone numbers you have provided. Upon completion of the scheduled route the bus driver will return the student to the local school to await the parent/guardian pick up.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ALL STUDENTS
· If your child becomes ill at school, soils themself by urinating or defecating, or for some other reason can not be transported by bus, you will be expected to transport your child to or from school.
QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
· If parents have additional questions or concerns about special education transportation, they may also call the school office, Transportation Department or the Special Education Department.
