School Bus Info

Policies

Transportation Policy

Responsibility

  1. Parental Responsibility
    1. Parents are responsible for the safety and conduct of their children prior to their pickup by the bus and after leaving the bus at the end of the day.
    2. Parents should impress upon their children the need for good behavior and observance of safety precautions while riding the bus.
    3. Parents of physically handicapped students are required to assist the student on and off the bus at his/her home stop.
    4. Parents are responsible to monitor the radio stations as listed in the Inclement Weather Procedure.
    5. Parents have the right to make the final decision in sending children to an open school during inclement weather.
    6. Parents should ensure that students are dressed appropriately for the weather.
    7. Parents of kindergarten children should arrange for the student to be met at the bus stop after school.
    8. Parents of students not eligible for transportation per Board Policy will be responsible for their own Transportation.
    9. Parents should ensure that all student information and/or changes are sent to the school in a timely fashion. Requests for changes to addresses / bus stops must be given to the school at minimum five business days prior to the change to allow adequate time for processing by the transportation department.
  2. Student Responsibility

    3. Riding on a school bus both to school and on planned excursions is a privilege, not a right. Improper conduct may result in the withdrawal of this privilege. Reinstatement will be at the discretion of the school officials after consultation with the student, parent or guardian and school bus operator.

    Students are expected to:

    1. Be at their bus pickup point at least 5 minutes prior to bus arrival time. If buses are more than 20 minutes late beyond the scheduled stop time, information can be obtained by contacting the school or the Transportation Department.
    2. Choose the safest walking route to and from the bus stop and keep well clear of the traveled roadway while waiting for the bus.
    3. Be certain that the road is clear or traffic is stopped before crossing any roadway.
    4. Take their place on the bus as directed by the driver; students must remain in their seats throughout the trip to and from school.
    5. Not abuse, damage or litter private property while waiting for their school bus.
    6. Line up and board the bus promptly in single file without crowding or pushing.
    7. Be picked up and discharged only at their designated school bus stops; responsibility for a student boarding or leaving the school bus at other than his or her designated stop, rests with the parents.
    8. Hold their books, lunch boxes, backpacks and other bulky items on their lap and not place them in the aisle where they may trip someone. Bats, hockey sticks, snowshoes and other large objects will not be permitted on the bus except by mutual agreement between the principal and the bus operator - ice skates must have guards.
    9. Not open or close windows unless authorized by the driver.
    10. Keep arms and head inside the bus at all times.
    11. Not at any time create a disturbance by distracting the driver's attention, or by interfering with another student or his/her belongings.
    12. Not carry any dangerous or annoying objects on school buses.
    13. Not eat or drink on school buses.
    14. Not smoke on school buses.
    15. Not use profane language on school buses.
    16. Be financially responsible for any damage done to the bus resulting from improper behavior.
    17. Follow the instructions of the driver.
    18. Not bring animals or pets onto the school bus.
    19. Not talk to the driver while bus is in motion unless in an emergency.
  3. Principal Responsibility

    4. Ontario Regulation 298, 23 (4c) states that every student is responsible to the principal of the school that he/she attends for his/her conduct while traveling on a school bus. Supervisory responsibilities are delegated to the bus driver while students are on the bus.

    The principal shall:

    1. Make students aware of the rules and proper behavior on the bus.
    2. Take appropriate action when discipline is required.
    3. Make arrangements at the school for supervision during loading and unloading of buses and provide adequate supervision where students are required to wait for buses.
    4. Inform parents and students of the Inclement Weather Procedure by October 1st of each school year.
    5. Ensure that the transportation department is aware of any student(s) who is transported that may have significant medical conditions, i.e. anaphylaxis, which may require intervention.
    6. Educate all students regarding the proper and safe conduct while riding a school bus.
  4. Bus Operators Responsibility

    5. Each school bus operator under contract with the Board shall:

    1. Be responsible for the performance of their duties in a lawful, efficient, economic and safe manner.
    2. Cooperate with school officials in matters that pertain to the transportation of students.
    3. Not deny a student the privilege of riding on a school bus because of improper conduct. Disciplinary cases are to be referred to the school principal.
    4. File with the Board, prior to the first day of operation, documentary proof of the insurance being carried.
    5. Post emergency phone numbers in each bus.
    6. Properly display the route sign assigned by the Board.
    7. Ensure that all vehicles are equipped with two-way communications.
    8. Notify the schools and the Board's Transportation Department of any late, canceled or incomplete routes as soon as possible.
    9. Report immediately to the Transportation Department and the principal, any accident or other mishap, which occurs while students are being transported. A written report is to be submitted to the Transportation Department within 24 hours of the accident/mishap.
    10. Not change or alter bus routes, without prior consent of the Transportation Department.
    11. Not transport students other than those attending a school operated by or in conjunction with the Board unless authorized to do so by the Transportation Department.
    12. Use a motor vehicle properly licensed as required by all Acts governing public transportation.
    13. Provide input to the Transportation Department with respect to the delivery of transportation services.
    14. Provide input to the Transportation Department with respect to the Inclement Weather Procedure.
  5. Bus Driver Responsibility

    6. Each school bus driver shall:

    1. Be aware of and comply with the Board's Transportation Policy.
    2. Abide by the Highway Traffic Act.
    3. Notify the principal of any student misconduct as it occurs, for disciplinary action.
    4. Not deny a student the privilege of riding on a school bus because of improper conduct. In cases of gross misconduct, the driver must report the incident to the principals or his/her designate at the conclusion of the run. STUDENTS SHALL NOT BE PUT OFF THE BUS MID-ROUTE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
    5. Observe closely the regulations that are laid down in regard to the safe conduct of students on buses.
    6. Maintain a constant time schedule. All drivers should arrive at their first pickup location immediately prior to the designated first pickup time.
    7. Not change or add pickup locations except in accordance with Transportation Department procedures.
    8. Report immediately to their manager or designate any accident or other mishap that occurs while students are being transported.
    9. Not smoke on a school bus.
  6. Board Transportation Responsibility
    1. Contracts with persons, firms or corporations competent in the operation of transportation facilities for the purpose of providing school bus transportation.
    2. Planning of routes and the execution of policy and procedure.
    3. Communicate all relevant bus route data to School Bus Operators, parents and school principals in a timely manner.
    4. Ensure that the school bus operator is aware of any student(s) who is transported that may have significant medical conditions, i.e. anaphylaxis, which may require intervention.
    5. Ensure that schools are notified of late, canceled or incomplete routes as soon as possible.
    6. Prepare and distribute an annual Transportation Information Pamphlet to the school community.
    7. Work in collaboration with the Lambton Kent School Bus Operators' Association.
    8. Reserves the right to initiate changes within an area and may substitute an alternate route for an existing route. All routes are subject to adjustment in terms of roads and distances traveled.
    9. Recommend change in school bell times for the provision of safe and efficient transportation.
    10. The Board will not provide transportation to summer school.
    11. The Board will not be responsible for costs involved in delay or cancellation of service.
    12. The Board will provide resources for education of safety issues.

Problem Solving

To ensure that problems or concerns are given prompt attention, the following schedule defines the appropriate contact depending on the nature of the concern.

Nature of concern:

Contact

Student Discipline/Safety

Principal

Loading Problems

Principal

Stop Change/Additions

School

Alternate Drop-Offs

Principal

Requests For:

Courtesy Seats

Application on
www.schoolbusinfo.com

Temporary Transportation

Principal

General Information:

Policy/Procedure

Transportation Dept.

Driver Concerns

Operator or Transportation Dept.

Lost Items

Operator

Vehicle Related Problems

Operator

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