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Barre Town Supervisory District Policy Manual

TITLE: School Bus Transportation     CODE: EEA


Barre Town Elementary School pupils, grades Kindergarten through Eight, may be provided round trip daily transportation.

The daily transportation of the Barre Town Elementary pupils is a privilege accorded by the school system in compliance with statutory requirements. Transportation will normally be from pick-up points to school and vice versa. Pick-up points will normally be in the area of the students' place of residence. To provide maximum safety, each eligible pupil riding a school bus will conform to the regulations as established.

Bus routes and schedules will be examined yearly by the Transportation Supervisor. They will be changed and adjusted to the shift in student population. All changes and adjustments shall be reviewed with the Principal prior to submission to the School Board for approval. Bus routes will be publicized in the newspaper during the week prior to the opening of school. Unexpected and exceptional circumstances may cause a rerouting of bus routes, (e.g. hazardous road conditions, especially in the winter months).

Parent concerns will be considered by the Transportation Supervisor and Principal. If parents are not satisfied with the administrative decision, they may request a meeting with the Superintendent.

In exceptional cases, other permanent means of transportation may be arranged by the parents in conjunction with the school. The school must be notified in writing by the parents or guardians when parents or guardians choose not to have their children use school bus transportation.

Date Adopted: 11/7/83
Date Revised: 6/1/94
1st Reading: June 22, 2005
2nd/Final Reading: September 7, 2005
Legal Reference(s):
Cross References:


Barre Town Supervisory District Policy Manual

TITLE: Regulations and Operations CODE: EEA-P

Operations

The following guidelines will govern daily school bus transportation:

  1. Transportation of Kindergarten through eighth grade students will require transportation in two waves: A and B.

  2. WAVE A includes grades 5-8. These grades will arrive at school at 7:45 a.m. and be dismissed at 2:30 p.m.

  3. WAVE B includes Kindergarten through Grade 4. These grades will arrive at school at 8:45 a.m. and be dismissed at 3:30 p.m.

  4. Students who ride on WAVE A who wish to stay after 2:30 p.m. may ride on WAVE B, providing there is room. If a student wishes to ride on a bus other than his/her own, he/she must have a permission note signed by the parent or guardian or teacher, provided verbal permission was granted by parent. This note must be sent to the transportation office for approval.

  5. Students who wish to stay at school beyond 3:30 p.m. must make their own arrangements for transportation.

  6. All students will ride an assigned bus route unless excused by the school administration

School Bus Safety Regulations

  1. All students will ride in assigned seats on the bus.
  2. All students will remain seated while the bus is in motion.
  3. All students will wear seatbelts on any bus which is equipped with them.
  4. Eating or drinking on the bus is prohibited unless, permission is granted in exceptional circumstances.
  5. All students are expected to conduct themselves in a proper manner while waiting at bus stops, as well as while riding the bus. Yelling, loud talk, and foul language will not be permitted.
  6. Students will line up in an orderly manner for loading and unloading procedures.
  7. Students will refrain from putting their arms or heads out of bus windows, and legs and feet must be kept out of the aisles.
  8. Each student will notify the bus driver of an injury sustained while on the bus.
  9. Any student who repeatedly breaks the school bus rules will be denied the privilege to ride the school bus according to discipline procedures outlined below.
  10. Students shall not be allowed to transport any living creatures, illegal substances, firearms, explosives, or anything of a dangerous nature.
  11. School Bus rules also apply during field trip transportation.

School Bus Discipline Regulations

Each bus driver is responsible for the supervision of children who ride on his/her bus. The bus driver's primary concern is for the safety of all the children on the bus. The driver will deal with individual students in trying to resolve behavioral problems that may occur. If the problem continues, the driver will take the student to the Transportation Supervisor. The Supervisor will then have a conference with the driver and the student in an effort to resolve the situation. The Supervisor will contact the student's parents by a written note or by sending the Transportation Conduct Form home with the student. Copies of the note or form will go to the Principal's Office and to the classroom teacher in Grades K-5 or the Teacher Advisor in Grades 6, 7, and 8. The Transportation Supervisor may refer the student to the Principal. The Principal will review the matter for appropriate action, suspension from riding the bus may be considered. Parents will be notified of the issue. Any student who repeatedly breaks the bus rules may be denied the privilege to ride the school bus.

Bus Pass Regulations

Written permission is required from a parent or guardian for a child to ride a bus other than the one to which the student has been assigned to and/or from school (e.g. when going to a friend's home). The permission note should be given to the teacher, who will send the information and note to the office. Due to limited space available on some buses, bus seats for unassigned riders will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.

Students who are riding their regular bus and who wish to get off at a stop other than their usual and customary stop, must have a note signed by their parent or guardian. This note must be sent to the transportation office for approval.

****Moving this section to the student handbook under the transportation procedures*****

Date Adopted: 11/7/83
Date Revised: 6/1/94
1st Reading: June 22, 2005
2nd/Final Reading: September 7, 2005
Legal Reference(s):
Cross-References: Student Handbook - Transportation