Important Bus Information for Parents

PARENTS/GUARDIANS NEED TO KNOW

1. Your child/children's safety is our top concern.

2. Parents/guardians are required to provide a transportation emergency card in addition to the one that is given to them at school. Emergency cards are to be given to the bus driver.

3. If a child is to be dropped off at a location other than the primary residence an alternate stop card is required with principal signature to have that student dropped off.

4. Your child/children's information must be correct at the school to be dropped off. Please communicate to the school any address change and keep your emergency card contacts updated. We cannot release a student to someone who is not on the emergency card. A picture ID is required for verification when being dropped off.

5. We cannot drop off a student who is under 12 without seeing a parent/guardian. Younger siblings or children in the same household can be dropped off with a sibling or household member 12 or older. Please see form below.

6. If your child is suspended from transportation, we cannot transport them.

7. If you move or your child/children or are a new enrollment, please go to the school to fill out the transportation enrollment form. Enrollment is not provided by the transportation department. We cannot put your child on a bus by calling us. The school will give us the proper information to place your child/children on a bus. You will obtain bus information from the school.

8. If your child/children receives a discipline referral, please call the principal with questions about the bus referral. Our drivers are trained to report discipline issues and principals decide the disciplinary action for the student.

9. Bus drivers have the right to assign students to a seat according to state law.

10. 68% of all behavior issues are solved by students staying in their seat. - University of Oregon

11. Never board a school bus without written permission from the superintendent. If you board a bus without authorization, the driver will ask you to exit. If you need to speak to the driver, come to the driver's window. If you board a bus and will not exit, you are viewed as a safety risk and law enforcement will be notified.

12. If a student has been granted a waiver from the superintendent to attend a scho

PRESCHOOL STUDENTS AND BUSES

A parent/guardian is required to be present at the bus stop when loading or unloading. We rely on student monitors to help with our preschool students. If a student monitor is not present on the bus when the preschooler is being loaded, we cannot transport. We will work to get a student monitor if one is available. Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting at that time.

BUS STOPS

"Buses shall be routed only on roads which are safe for bus travel. The Board, on advice of Central Office staff, shall determine if a road meets the specifications for travel by a District bus. "

"When students must walk over side roads to bus routes, a bus stop shall be located not more than one-half (1/2) mile from the front entrance of their homes, provided suitable roads and turn areas are available. Road conditions and turn areas are not the responsibility of the Board."

-Laurel County School Board Policy 6.31

If your child does not ride for three days in a row, we will stop making a trip to your residence if the stop is off the natural course of the bus route. Please call the transportation department a day in advance to schedule a pickup if needed.

What can a student bring on the bus?

Please read the article below to understand what your child can and cannot bring on the bus.

1. What is allowed?

a. Items which a student can securely hold and contain in their lap without impeding another passenger’s space.

b. Band instruments that are allowed must remain in their lap or on the floor are: violin, viola, piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet (b-flat), alto clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, bells, bassoon, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, and trombone.

c. An archery bow is allowed to be transported on the bus without the case and must be put on the floor between the legs of the student. Arrows are not allowed on a route bus in the cargo or passenger area.

d. Pumpkins are allowed on a bus as long as they fit in student’s lap.

2. What is not allowed?

Heavy, sharp, bulky, and/or other articles that may be hazardous in the event of an accident or an emergency stop shall not be transported in the passenger area of any school bus during a regular run.

A driver is not permitted to allow the following items on the bus:

a. Firearms, knives or other weapons, either operative, ceremonial or toy replicas.

b. Live ammunition.

c. Fireworks or other explosives of any type.

d. Razor blade/box cutter.

e. Possession of any object that could cause injury including, but not limited to: ice pick, multi-fingered ring, metal knuckles, nunchakus, shock sticks, mace and the use of any object to inflict bodily injury on students and other persons.

f. Spraying any substance: perfume, cologne, deodorant, etc. or any substance that could cause an allergic or asthmatic reaction.

g. Live animals, including but not limited to birds, hamsters, fish, insects, reptiles, etc.

h. A preserved specimen that would frighten other students.

a. Glass objects including ceramics or balloons.

b. Object(s) that would block a bus aisle or exits.

c. Suitcases, sleeping bags, coolers are not allowed in passenger area blocking emergency exits or aisle.

d. Tobacco products of any kind, including electronic-cigarettes, alternative nicotine or vaping products.

e. Any sparking devices, such as a match or lighter.

f. Alcohol or illegal drugs.

g. Any object or equipment that will not fit in the student’s lap or in front of them in their seat.

h. The following musical instruments are not allowed on a regular bus: tenor and baritone saxophone, baritone horn, cello, string bass, French horn, drums, tuba/sousaphone, and guitar. Music stands are not allowed on a regular bus.

i. Skateboards, hover-boards or any type of motorized device that runs on gas, diesel, electric or battery power.

j. Toys.

k. Crutches. (Special transportation is available upon request for any student on crutches.)

l. Any hazardous materials.

m. School projects that will not fit in the student’s lap or any project that contains hazardous or sharp items. This includes simulated babies in car seats.

n. Athletic equipment that is not in a bag and will not fit in the student’s lap: baseball/softball bats, golf clubs, fishing poles, pole vault poles, football helmets, archery arrows and shoulder pads are not allowed on regular bus routes.

o. Tools and lawn equipment.

p. Any communication, music or recording device not under the direct control of the driver. This includes: cd players, mp3 players, iPad, Bluetooth speakers, etc.

q. No items in the cargo compartment of a bus during a regular route.

r. Brooms, dustpans or cleaning chemicals including any aerosol can.

Special items (allowed in cargo ONLY during field trips):

a. Large coolers

b. Sports equipment

c. Flags

d. Any large items

e. Luggage

f. Archery arrows

*Reference 702KAR5:080 for Additional Restrictions