**FOREWORD** To All School Bus Drivers:

Transcription

1 **FOREWORD** To All School Bus Drivers: This manual has been developed to help you as you serve in the transportation department of the South Hunterdon Regional High School District. This manual shall be returned at the end of the school year. It is hoped that this handbook will be self-explanatory and be a valuable source of information to all bus drivers. However, each of us must realize that many items pertaining to the transportation of children cannot be entirely written. This manual is established as an aid to better understanding, to provide consistency and an environment conducive to all our well-being. As a Bus Driver, you are transporting life s most precious cargo- The Children of your friends and neighbors and those of your own children who are students in our school. The transportation department of South Hunterdon Regional High School has established a record within the communities it serves that is pointed to with pride. This past year we carried out our responsibilities in a very efficient manner and received many compliments for the quality of our work. Let us start another year with confidence, knowledge and pride, and with one goal in mind that we bring each student to and from school and home safely and efficiently

2 PHILOSOPHY Understanding the Students We Work With School bus drivers must remember that they are working for an educational institution whose job is developing the minds of children. Too frequently they expect their passengers to be finished products with adult attitudes, failing to realize that when they have attained such status, they likely will not be riding on a school bus. They can expect some discipline problems to arise, which would test the ingenuity of the best educators. Poor attitudes and improper social conduct cannot be changed in one day or in one discussion. Training is a process that continues throughout school life. A good bus driver must have a sympathetic understanding of the problems, moods and individual differences of students. Here are some facts to consider when observing the conduct of children. 1. All students like to be treated with respect and courtesy. 2. They want adults to recognize their good traits and abilities. 3. Most of them dread to be singled out for disciplining. 4. A few students will make problems of themselves in order to gain attention and recognition. 5. Students who are willing to comply with regulations may become problems if the person in control of the group is too lax and indifferent toward gross violations of a few; or if the person in control appears unreasonable in his demands; or if he vacillates from extreme permissiveness one moment to extreme control the next. 6. The example you set with your attitude, understanding and driving becomes part of each student s education. MAKE IT THE BEST POSSIBLE

3 QUALIFICATIONS N.J. SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS FOR SOUTH HUNTERDON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 1. All bus drivers must have a New Jersey Commercial Driver s license and retain the validity of this license by passing a physical exam every two years. The Board of Education shall pay for the cost of the state mandated physical as outlined in the negotiated agreement. 2. The driver must be a reliable person of good moral character, fingerprinted in accordance with state law and in good physical condition. 3. It shall be the duty of each driver to notify the transportation coordinator immediately if this commercial license has become void for any reason or his/her driver s license has been suspended or revoked. 4. Each driver shall be responsible for maintaining a commercial driver s license and shall be reimbursed for the endorsement and finger printing for required said license

4 SOUTH HUNTERDON REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL JOB DESCRIPTION BUS DRIVER Qualifications: 1. Valid New Jersey Commercial Driver s License in compliance with New Jersey regulations. 2. Three years of licensed driving experience. 3. Satisfactory physical condition. 4. Completion of in-service program as set by Board of Education policy. Reports to: Job Goal: Transportation Coordinator To provide safe and efficient transportation for all students transported. Performance Responsibilities: All employees must notify Transportation Coordinator immediately, in writing, of any summonses, accidents, revocations or blemishes against their driving record. 1. Performs daily bus check as required by law and completes required forms and turns all pertinent paperwork on Monday before 12:00(NOON) 2. Maintains vehicle in safe operating condition. 3. Advises Transportation Coordinator or mechanic of: a. Mechanical failure b. Other conditions affecting the safe operating condition of the vehicle 4. Advises Transportation Coordinator or mechanic of vandalism directed toward the vehicle. 5. Immediately reports accidents or damage to vehicle to Transportation Coordinator and/or Transportation Secretary and completes required reports. 6. Keeps assigned vehicle in clean and neat condition as per State regulations. 7. Observes all traffic laws and safety regulations. 8. Adheres to assigned routes and stops as directed by the Transportation Coordinator except in case of emergency. 9. Discharges students only at authorized stops

5 10. Exercises responsible leadership when on out-of-district school trips. 11. Transports only authorized students. 12. Gives each student an assigned seat and provides transportation office with seating chart. 13. Maintains discipline and order. Reports misconduct to proper authority on required form. 14. Participates in school bus emergency exit drills twice a year as directed by the Transportation Coordinator. 15. Enforces all regulations as established by Joint Transportation Agreement. 16. Adheres strictly to New Jersey Administrative Code and transportation regulations as adopted by South Hunterdon Regional High School Board of Education. 17. Is familiar with all laws and regulations pertaining to safe school transportation in effect at the time of the contract. 18. Other responsibilities as directed by the Board of Education. Terms of Employment: Evaluation: Ten months Calendar prepared yearly Salary and Benefits as negotiated Evaluation will be conducted by the Transportation Coordinator in accordance with the performance responsibilities. Adopted: June 30, 1994 Revised: August 27,

6 BUS DRIVER GUIDELINES All Drivers and Substitutes: 1. Shall check in with the transportation secretary daily. All concerns or problems should be reported immediately. 2. Are required to submit all paper work on time, i.e. mileage reports, vehicle condition reports, payroll/time sheets, route descriptions, etc. (included) 3. Shall follow inclement weather/hazardous road condition procedures. (included) 4. Shall follow accident and breakdown procedures. (included) 5. Shall maintain reasonable order and discipline on all bus routes. The proper maintenance of seating charts is an integral part of student discipline. 6. Shall report all discipline problems and other incidents on proper form immediately.(included) 7. Shall immediately report any maintenance or mechanical problems relating to the vehicle to the Mechanic. 8. Are responsible for the security of his/her vehicle on and off school grounds. 9. Shall not use any school vehicles for personal use. 10. Shall do the following duties daily: a) Inspect the bus; b) Complete daily maintenance report and vehicle inspection checklist;(included) c) Check fuel. One half tank of fuel should be maintained at all times. No exceptions. 11. Driver must inform office as soon as possible when using a spare bus. 12. Shall not change a regular bus stop or route unless approved by the Transportation Coordinator and the Board of Education. In the case of an emergency, for safety reasons only, an exception may be made and immediately reported to the Transportation Coordinator. 13. Shall follow individual schools policies as stated. 14. Shall not transport any unauthorized passenger or allow an unauthorized person to operate school vehicle. NJAC 6: No driver shall transport any passenger who is not an SHRHS student or employee without administrative permission. 16. Are to be guided by the transportation regulations for SHRHS and WA schools discipline procedures. 17. Shall be neat, clean and reflect an appearance of modesty. 18. Shall not use profanity and speak to the children with respect

7 19. Shall complete routine directions/route mileage for all routes prior to September 30 th and make necessary corrections when changes occur during the school year. 20. During loading and unloading at ALL SCHOOLS, drivers are to be in their buses and the vehicle is to be properly place into park with the emergency brake on. 21. No smoking is allowed on school grounds or school buses at any time. 22. If you are unable to work, you are expected to notify the transportation secretary as soon as possible, but no later than 1 hour before your run would leave the school. If you must call out later than 1 hour prior to route leave time the transportation secretary requires a doctor s excuse. AM call-in time is before 6:00 AM. Absence forms must be completed 5 days prior to personal leave and immediately following an illness. 23. Drivers with winter fronts use the following guide lines: 30 close, 35 1/2 open, 40 open, 50 remove covers. 24. SPEED LIMIT FOR ALL BUSES AND VANS ON ALL SCHOOL PROPERTY IS 5 MPH. Speed limit for all SHRHS vehicles on the roads is posted limits, weather and road conditions permitting. 25. Shall not operate any school vehicle at any time with any door open. 26. Shall report 10 minutes prior to scheduled departing time to check out vehicle. 27. Check interior of vehicle after the completion of any run for vandalism or articles left on the bus. 28. Close all windows and doors on all buses and place seatbelts up on the back of the seats when parked. 29. Never leave a school vehicle unattended with the engine running. Before leaving, secure properly and take keys with you. 30. No student may be discharged from the bus while in route to school or home at other than his/her designated stop. 31. There will be no deviation from SHRHS safety policies and procedures. 32. Buses should not be moved until all students are seated. 33. No students are allowed to tamper with equipment or controls, including the operation of the service door. 34. All drivers are responsible for cleaning buses each time they are used. 35. All directives regarding the use of seat belts will be followed. (included) 36. All directives regarding the use of cellular phones shall be followed. (included) - 7 -

8 37. The calculation for bus driver payment for field trips, athletic runs, special runs, etc. shall be based upon a pre-determined starting time from South Hunterdon and a driver-reported arrival time back at South Hunterdon. 38. No bus is to run right on red at any time. 39. All buses are to stay in right lane at all times unless it becomes necessary to pass slow moving vehicles. Driver discretion and proper judgment is to be used at all times. DRIVER RESPONSIBILITIES CONCERNING VEHICLES CLEANLINESS: FUELING: Each full-time and substitute driver shall be responsible for his/her bus. Buses shall be swept DAILY. Should a spare bus be used for a run (no matter how many) it will be swept and fueled before parking. Lights and windows should receive extra cleaning attention when road conditions so dictate. It is the drivers responsibility to fuel his/her own bus. Fueling may be done either before or after your run. A bus should NEVER be parked with less than a half tank fuel. All vehicles will be fueled at South Hunterdon and vehicle fuel reports completed. Should your bus develop any problems while on a run, check with office before proceeding. Write up any problems when you complete your assignment. It is the driver s responsibility to keep a check on the mileage between each servicing of the bus. A sticker with the mileage is on the dash of your bus. All vehicles are serviced at 2000-mile intervals. When you reach this mileage, notify the transportation secretary so that she can arrange for your bus to be serviced. MESSAGES: All drivers are expected to check their mailbox at least once each day for changes in daily schedule and student information. Any personal messages will be left in driver mailbox. EMERGENCY DRILLS: BUS CONDITION REPORT: The various seniority wheels regarding assignment of extra runs will be posted on a weekly basis in the bus drivers lounge at South Hunterdon. Bus drivers must assist in evacuation drills, as scheduled by appropriate school personnel. By state law, a Driver s School bus Condition Report must be in any bus being operated in the State of New Jersey. These are to be checked daily and initialed. Each item pertaining to the bus must be ( ) if OK, or (X) if defective and leave blank if school is not in session or bus not being used per Division of Motor Vehicles. If something, which would impair safe operation of vehicle, is discovered during warm-up, vehicle should not be used. The transportation secretary will assign a spare vehicle. The above-mentioned forms are to be turned in at the end of each week or first day of the following week. (Sample enclosed) - 8 -

9 DRIVER RESPONSIBILITIES - MOBILE TELEPHONES There are 16 mobile telephones registered to South Hunterdon Regional High School. This provides a mobile phone for each of our regular bus drivers for efficiency of the transportation operation and emergency use. The phones are coded and assigned to each of the regular drivers. A spare is available in the main office for substitutes wishing to use it. While transporting children, the cell phone must be fully charged and kept on until completion of the run, including athletic trips, field trips and late runs. As mandated by NJ State Law, it is illegal to use the cell phone while operating a school vehicle. Phones will be distributed at the annual bus drivers meeting each year. At the end of each school year, phones will be turned in to the transportation secretary. Bus drivers with summer runs will turn in their mobile phone at the termination of their summer responsibility. At the annual meeting, instructions will be given regarding the use of the mobile phone, maintenance and phone numbers. Each driver will be responsible for his/her phone in terms of charging the battery and maintaining the phone in a secure location. Replacement of lost phones will be the responsibility of the driver. If a bus driver is on vacation, extended leave or illness of more than one day, the phone will be returned to the transportation secretary who will then issue the phone to the substitute bus driver for temporary use. The use of mobile phones as part of the South Hunterdon Regional High School transportation system is for safety and efficiency. The phones are not to be used for personal use. Any personal calls made will be charged back to the user. All school cell phones are to be turned on during all runs. If there is any emergency, pull off to the side of the road and answer the phone. In the event that a driver procures an athletic run and leaves the location. The driver must inform the coach and leave your school cell phone number so that you may be reached for the return trip

10 VEHICULAR BREAKDOWN PROCEDURE In the event of a vehicular breakdown, the driver must take the following steps: 1. Move the vehicle to a safe location, if possible. 2. Notify transportation office/coordinator/designee: a) State location; b) State probable reason for breakdown; c) State number of students; d) State destination; e) Remain with bus until relieved by transportation office. 3. Implement safety precautions: a) Turn on hazard/warning lights; b) Place flares on roadway as required, etc. 4. Driver is not to leave students or vehicle unattended. 5. If transportation office, coordinator or designee cannot be contacted, driver will do the following: a) Notify police of problem and steps being taken to correct it; b) Attempt to maintain contact with police so that they may notify school. 6. If breakdown vehicle is removed or repaired before help arrives, driver must notify coordinator or designee

11 PROCEDURES FOR SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENTS IN THE SHRHS DISTRICT School bus accidents shall be reported in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A: in the following instances: 1) Every accident involving a board-owned vehicle; 2) Accidents involving vehicles contracted by a district board of education. An accident is defined as any incident resulting from collision, fire, flood or any other event, which results in injury, death, or property damage. This does not include vandalism to vehicles. District Boards of Education shall establish policies and procedures to be followed by the school bus driver in the event of an accident or emergency while operating a school bus. Local policies must include the following procedures: 1. Every school bus driver shall immediately contact Every school bus driver shall inform the Principal and/or the Business Administrator of SHR following an accident, which involves an injury, death or property damage. 3. The Principal and/or Business Administrator will inform the Superintendent of the receiving school following an accident which involves an injury, death or property damage. 4. One administrator from SHRHS goes to the scene of bus accident. 5. A representative from the receiving school district goes to the scene of the bus accident. 6. One administrator or designee remains in each school office to coordinate communications. 7. The home emergency personnel will take control of scene, evaluate students and assist in transporting the injured to the hospital. 8. The administrator of the receiving school on the scene records the names of students involved in accident. 9. All students will be transported by ambulance and/or school bus to the hospital unless parents sign a release at the scene, or if students are of legal age (18), they can release themselves if medically capable. 10. The SHRHS or receiving school administrators on the scene establish official statement about accident situation. 11. The administrator of the receiving school accompanies children to the hospital on the school bus and/or ambulance as determined by ambulance EMT to the extent possible. 12. The administrator or designee remaining in the SHRHS or receiving school office will contact parents relaying official statement of accident situation and direct parents to pick up child at hospital. 13. The administrator or designee remaining at the receiving school will keep a written checklist of all parents and contacts who received direct communications from school. Also, the designee will note those situations where parents and alternates are not available to be contacted. The time and number each call is made will be recorded. 14. The driver shall complete and file the Preliminary School Bus Accident Report required by the Commission of Education with the transportation secretary. 15. In accidents resulting in injury or death of any person or damage to property of any one person shall complete a Motor Vehicle Accident Report in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-L30 and the Business Administrator will file it with the Division of Motor Vehicles within 10 days after the accident. 16. SHRHS Board of Education shall immediately notify the County Superintendent of Schools of any accidents involving injury, death or extensive property damage. The County Superintendent of Schools shall then notify the Department of Education, Bureau of Pupil Transportation

12 SCHOOL BUS REGULATIONS Bus conduct Satisfactory behavior is expected of students who ride on school buses. The Bus Driver is in charge of the bus and the students. The Principal is authorized to remove any student(s) who does not maintain a reasonable standard of conduct. The parents will be notified of such removal. Title 18A: 25-2 states in part: A pupil may be excluded from the bus for disciplinary reasons by the Principal, and his/her parents shall provide for his/her transportation to and from school during the period of such expulsion. The following procedures have been designed to foster bus safety and to provide guidelines for appropriate student behavior. 1. Once students have boarded the bus, they must take their assigned seat and remain in that seat until the bus arrives at its destination. 2. No food or drink of any kind may be consumed on the bus. 3. All students are expected to be on time at their designated bus stop. 4. Students are expected to behave properly and to stay off the roadway while waiting for the bus. 5. Students are to wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before boarding or leaving the bus. 6. Students are expected to keep hands and heads inside the bus at all times. 7. Students are expected to refrain from loud talking and other behavior which may interfere with the proper performance of duty by the driver. 8. Students are expected to report promptly to the driver any damage to the bus. 9. Students are expected to keep the bus clean. 10. As per policy, all students are expected to ride only the bus to which they are assigned. 11. Students shall not leave through the emergency door unless an emergency exits. Disciplinary Measures The disciplinary measures to be taken by school officials, when reported in writing by the bus driver are as follows: 1. Conference with the student and warning given. 2. Written notification to the parents. 3. After-school detention. 4. Suspension of bus privileges. 5. In or out-of-school suspension. Driver Guidelines School bus drivers are encouraged to institute a clear and consistent code of behavior for students. This can be furthered by being firm but pleasant, listening to the child s point-of-view, adhering to pickup and discharge locations as outlined, maintaining a seating arrangement that is fair and safe, avoiding discipline all the children because of the behavior of a few, and treating each child individually. A friendly manner and sense of humor should be shown at all times

13 Seat Belts 1. All school buses will be equipped with signs indicating that seat belts must be worn. 2. When students board the bus in the morning, they should be verbally told by the bus drivers to buckle seat belts. For bus loads of children prior to departure from school (or on a field trip or athletic trip), drivers should make a general announcement to all students to buckle their seat belts. 3. Bus drivers are not required to physically check to make sure students are wearing their seat belts. 4. If a student gets out of his or her seat without permission then that student is in violation of two rules: a) Leaving the seat without permission, and b) Not wearing their seat belt 5. Any student who does not conform to rules and regulations of the school bus IS to be reported to the appropriate school authority. 6. There will be a progression of discipline that will be imposed. 7. Parental contact will be made where appropriate. Transporting Special Education Students 1. In the AM, parent/ guardian will be responsible to bring student on the vehicle and secure the student in their seat belt and or specialized equipment. In the PM, parent/guardian will be responsible to unfasten student and escort the student from the vehicle. Parent/guardian is to provide the student s school with current home phone number and emergency contact information. 2. If the child will not attend on any given day, the AM bus driver should be notified. At the beginning of the year, the driver will give each parent his/her phone number. The driver will inform parents what time they must call in the morning. In the event a situation arises after the given time and the child cannot attend school, the parent may call SHR ( ) every effort will be made to notify the bus driver not to pick up the child. 3. If the parent plans to pick up the child; therefore, only requiring AM transportation, the parent should notify the AM driver, who in turn will notify SHR and transportation home will be canceled. 4. If it is necessary to make change in the car or booster seat the child uses, the Special Services Office ( ) should be notified. Special Services will advise the transportation department of any adjustment that needs to be made. 5. If the parent has any concern regarding a particular route, call the SHR transportation department at If you are transporting a student by van and the student does not come out of the home (after a beep of the horn) within 5 minutes you may leave and return to the bus yard

14 EMERGENCY EXIT DRILLS FOR SCHOOL BUSES State regulation NJAC 6: Schools shall organize and conduct emergency exit drills at least twice within the school year for all students who ride school buses. A. As the school bus driver is an integral part of the procedure, it is mandatory for the driver to exit through the rear emergency door. B. Drills shall be conducted on school property and be supervised by the principal or person assigned by him to act in a supervisory capacity. C. Conducting emergency exit drills should conform to the following: 1) Due to the large number of students being transported and the ever-increasing number of motor vehicle accidents on the highways, there is a need to instruct students in the manner and means whereby they can vacate a school bus in case of an emergency. In a crisis, it is possible for students to jam the emergency door by all trying to get out of the exit at the same time. 2) In an effort to avoid a situation of this type, schools should organize and conduct emergency exit drills at least twice within the school year for all students who ride buses. D. Cause for evacuation includes: 1) Fire or danger of fire: A bus should be stopped and evacuated immediately if the engine or any portion of the bus is on fire. Passengers should move at least 100 feet from the bus and remain until the driver of the bus has determined that no danger remains, or until other provisions can be made. Being near an existing fire and unable to move the bus away, or near the presence of gasoline or other combustible material should be considered as danger of fire and students should be evacuated. 2) Unsafe Position: In the event a bus is stopped due to accident, mechanical failure, road conditions, or engine failure, the driver must determine immediately whether it is safe for students to remain in the bus or plan to evacuate. The driver must evacuate immediately if: a) The final stopping point is in the path of any train or adjacent to any railroad track. b) The possibility of position change would increase the danger. If, for example, a bus goes into water or over the cliff, it should be evacuated. The driver should make certain that the procedure is carried out in a manner that affords maximum safety for the students. c) The stopping point is such that there is danger of collision. In normal traffic conditions, the bus should be visible for at least a distance of 300 feet. A position just over a hill or around a curve, where such visibility is not possible, should be the cause for immediate evacuation. E. Escape exit (location and number) rules (NJAC 6:21-6B.10) are: All New Jersey school buses are presently equipped with the following escape exits: Front entrance door Rear emergency exit door Push out front windshield Spilt-sash side windows which, when lowered, provide a 9 x22 opening in each window Rear window 20 x 20 set in rubber and capable of being pushed out Emergency exit windows Emergency roof hatches F. Types of evacuation drills include: As the danger to the passengers on a school bus can appear at any location in or about the vehicle, drills should be conducted to provide various methods of evacuation. Consideration should be

15 given to the possibility of fires in different locations on a bus, driver incapacitation, rear, front and side impacts, and bus rollover, and so forth. Drills may be varied as follows: Exit through the rear emergency door Exit through the front door With only one adult on the bus, using front and rear exit at the same time is not recommended. G. Students should be trained with the following techniques: Turn off ignition switch. Set and release parking brake. Summon help when needed. Use emergency window exits and roof hatches. Open and close bus doors. Know how to kick out all rubber gasket windows. Drop top sash on side windows. Leave lunchboxes, books and so forth on the bus. Help small students off bus. Evacuate students to a location (a clearly definable i.e. a tree, a house, etc.) at least 100 feet from the school bus and remain together until given further directions by the driver, police officer, or other authorized person. Proper safety precautions while riding the bus on its regular run. Other assignments as noted by principal and /or driver. Students leaders should be proficient in all the above plus accountability for students in his station. H. Safety factors pertaining to drills include: 1. Pupil safety is of utmost importance and must be the first consideration. 2. All drills should be conducted on school property and supervised by the principal or persons assigned by him. 3. Conduct drills when the weather is conducive to safety and preferably when the bus arrives at the school building with the students. 4. The bus driver is responsible for the safety of his/her students. 5. In a situation where the driver might be incapacitated and unable to direct the evacuation, school patrol members, appointed students or adult monitors should be trained to take over. It is important to have regular substitutes available. 6. Students leaders should be selected on their maturity, ability to lead and, where possible, live near the end of the bus route. Parental approval should be obtained

16 BUS DRIVER RESPONSIBILITIES AT DESIGNATED BUS STOPS Drivers should examine stops regularly and report new elements or hazards to the Transportation Coordinator. The bus should be guided toward the stop with caution and should never be driven beyond the designated stop where pupils are waiting. Accident studies reveal that such circumstances frequently result in waiting passengers being struck by the right rear dual wheels of the bus. Traffic must stop before riders are permitted to leave the bus. All riders should be counted as they depart from the bus and should be accounted for prior to allowing traffic to proceed or moving the bus. Control of other motorists cannot be guaranteed at the designated stop. However, the bus driver can be certain that adequate warning has been provided, that the vehicle position is correct and all legal requirements have been met for stopping the bus to load or unload. DISCHARGING AND PICKING UP STUDENTS AT SCHOOL As in the past, all regular AM and PM runs will arrive and depart from the bus-loading zone located in the front of the building for West Amwell & South Hunterdon Regional. In addition, drivers are reminded that upon arrival at school in the morning, please pull to the curb and then unload your students. If other buses are present, please stay in line and wait your turn to drop off your students. Lastly, all late runs for South Hunterdon Regional will depart from the bus-loading zone adjacent to the student commons area. ROUTE DESCRIPTION FOR CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR At the annual bus drivers summer meeting, the assignment of runs for the new school year will be determined on a seniority basis. The transportation secretary will collate this information and prepare for distribution a typed summary of all runs including special education as well as vocational. This route description will be useful to transportation personnel when they are called upon from time to time to cover a run for an absent colleague

17 BUS CONDUCT REPORT Student s Name Grade Date of Incident Driver s Name & Bus NOTICE TO PARENTS 1. The purpose of this report is to inform you of a disciplinary incident involving your child on the school bus. 2. You are urged to both appreciate the action taken by the driver and to cooperate with the corrective action initiated today. DRIVER S REPORT: Violation of Safety Procedures Excessive Mischief Destruction of Property Writing Fighting/ Pushing/Tripping Smoking Eating/Drinking/Littering Rude/Discourteous/Annoying Unacceptable Language PRESENT ACTION AND RECOMMENDATION (S): Held Conference with Student Student Placed on Probation Telephone Parent Student Suspended Other Driver s Signature Assistant Principal s Signature Date

18 After-School Activity Bus Transportation Bus transportation is provided ONLY at 4:00 PM Tuesday- Thursday. West Amwell School Policies 1. Behave in an orderly manner at the stop, on the bus, and in line. 2. Avoid the Danger Zone 3. Respect other students and the bus driver 4. Ride on your assigned bus. 5. Obey and Do Not distract the bus Driver 6. Wear your seatbelt and remain seated. 7. Keep your arms, hands and head inside the bus window. 8. Children are not allowed to bring food or drink on the bus. 9. Buses are a No Bullying Zone. Consequences for Failure to follow the Bus Rules 1. First Reported offense: the principal or the guidance counselor will meet with you to review the rules. 2. Second Reported offense: the principal will notify parent/guardian and rules will again be reviewed together. 3. Third Reported Offense: may result in suspension from the bus for 1 to 5 days depending on the seriousness of the misbehavior. 4. Continual disregard of the rules may result in suspension from the bus for 5 days to permanent suspension from the bus. West Amwell Special Instructions Bus Stop and Route Arrangements: Bus routes and stops will be established by the district on or before August 30. Routes and stops will be mailed to you by the end of August.p and drop-off stop for the entire school year. Pick-up and drop-off stops do not have to be the same location. For example, morning pick-up may be at home When requesting a change in transportation, please keep in mind the following: 1.Changes from one stop to another on the same bus route are allowed. Parents/guardians wanting to request a change in bus stop from their child s original assigned stop may request a form from the school office or downloaded from our website (see below). These forms must be completed 3 to 5 days in

19 advance of the requested transportation change. Completed forms must be returned to the main office at West Amwell School. 2.Changes that would create another stop on the same bus route are not allowed. 3.Changes from one bus to another are not allowed. Changes in transportation arrangements(e.g. a student going to play after school at a friend s house) must follow this procedure: 1.The student making the change must bring in a note signed by his/her parent(s). 2.The parent receiving the student must also send in a note acknowledging the change. 3.Without a note from both the parent and the receiving parent, the change in dismissal will not be permitted. Attention Parents/guardians of Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Students: Your bus driver will return your child to school if there is not an adult caregiver waiting for the student at the bus stop. At that time, the Principal will contact the parent/guardian to arrange for the student to be picked up from the main office