School Bus Policy
REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT #10
24 Lyon Road
Burlington, Connecticut 06013
860-673-2538 * 860-675-4976 (FAX)
email: superintendent@region10ct.org
Paula Schwartz David G. Lenihan
Superintendent of Schools Business Manager
August 21, 2007
Dear Parents,
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve communications and promote safety, the administration of Region #10 has updated its comprehensive memo on transportation. We hope that you will read it carefully and discuss its contents with your children. The memo contains information on bus routes, transportation procedures and district policies related to our transportation system. We have also included pertinent phone numbers in the event that you need to reach us or the bus companies in an emergency.
We've worked closely with our bus companies, principals and transportation committee to address topics that are of interest to you and will help to ensure the safety of our children. It is important that we enlist your help in working with the children to understand the importance of the rules and what they can do to have a safe and comfortable ride to and from school.
We welcome you to the 2007-2008 school year in Region #10 and thank you for your cooperation. If there are topics you'd like addressed in future editions, please let us know through the www.region10ct.org website or my email superintendent@region10ct.org.
Sincerely,
Paula Schwartz
Superintendent of Schools
I. Bus Contact Information
We use the services of two bus systems - Sikorski Bus Company (Burlington and parts of Harwinton) and All-Star Transportation (Harwinton)
Sikorski Bus Company 860-673-2149
227 Spielman Highway
Burlington, CT 06013
All-Star Transportation 860-489-3444
268 Technology Drive
Torrington, CT 06790
II. School Contact Information
Harwinton Consolidated School Lake Garda Elementary School
Maureen Dodd, Principal Robert Choiniere, Principal
Megan Mazzei, Asst. Principal Robert Garry, Asst. Principal
860-485-9029 860-673-2511
Office hours: 7:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Office hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Har-Bur Middle School Lewis Mills High School
Ken Platz, Principal Karissa Niehoff, Principal
Ken Smith, Asst. Principal Peter Bogen, Asst. Principal
860-673-6163 860-673-0423
Office hours: 7:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Office hours: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Central Office - Business
860-673-2538 Ext. 4: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
III. School Hours
Lewis Mills High School: 7:25 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Har-Bur Middle School: 8:13 a.m. - 2:48 p.m.
Harwinton Consolidated: 9:05 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
Lake Garda School : 9:05 a.m. - 3:35 p.m.
AM Kindergarten: 9:05 a.m. - 11:55 a.m.
PM Kindergarten: 12:45p.m. - 3:35 p.m.
IV. Bus Transportation Procedures and Information
Please take a few moments to review this information with your child(ren). Safety must be communicated to everyone involved in transporting students. You play an important role in ensuring your child's safety.
1. Safety Includes a Partnership Approach...
Parents are responsible for their children while they are waiting for the bus and after they have exited the bus at their designated bus stop when returning home. It is the responsibility of parents to be available at the return stop as necessary to meet their children. Please review back-up plans with your child if you are not available at the pick-up time. It is also the responsibility of the parent to ensure that the student is waiting at his/her designated stop on time. Should a student miss the bus, the parent must find alternate means of transporting the child to school. Under no circumstances should a parent drive behind the bus and try to board their child at the next stop. The driver is not expecting a child to be running along the side of the bus and a child could easily slip under the wheels.
2. Parents are not permitted to board the bus for any reason.
3. Please be advised that bus pick-up times noted on our bus routes are estimated times and are subject to change during the year due to bus route changes. This is especially true in the first few weeks of school when timing and routing adjustments are being made. There are new students, routes and drivers, and understandably there is an adjustment period. Children should be at the bus stop 10 minutes before scheduled time of arrival and wait 10 minutes after scheduled arrival time. We ask for your patience as we work out the schedule!
4. We strongly encourage you to use District provided transportation. In the event that you need to drop-off or pick-up your child(ren) from school, please follow procedures established at each building. It is important that you do not use the designated bus lanes. This not only is extremely hazardous, but also impairs the flow of bus traffic and causes delays.
V. Emergency Procedures
If a child has not arrived at his/her destination at the end of the school day, call the school, or if the school cannot be reached call:
Sikorski Bus Company - 673-2149
All-Star Transportation - 489-3444
The following information will be needed:
1. Child's Name and Address
2. School and Grade
3. Bus Route Number
**Know your child's bus route number to and from home - it saves time!**
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Please wait for the school or bus company to return your call. Your child may have missed getting off at his/her bus stop and the driver is in the process of returning to that stop at the end of the route.
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If school is in session, the child may be returned to his/her school.
VI. Scheduled Half Days
There are specific days designated for staff development, conferences or high school exams requiring students to attend for a half day. The following are the scheduled times for these days:
Lewis Mills High School (exams) 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Har-Bur Middle School 8:13 a.m. - 12:40 p.m.
Lake Garda School 9:05 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Harwinton Consolidated School 9:05 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
AM Kindergarten 9:05 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
PM Kindergarten 11:20 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
VII. Inclement Weather
We make every effort to announce late openings, cancellations and school closings as early as possible.
Late Openings:
Late Openings will remain at 90 minutes delay at each school with no AM kindergarten.
Early Closings:
The following schedule will be used for early closings due to inclement weather:
Lewis Mills High School 11:00 a.m. dismissal
Har-Bur Middle School 11:45 a.m. dismissal
Elementary schools 12:30 p.m. dismissal
(including AM Kindergarten)
There will be no PM Kindergarten on these early closing days due to inclement weather.
We will make direct contact with you through our Instant Alert System in the event of school closings, delays or early closings.
Announcements of school closings, delays or early closings are also made on:
WTIC (1080 AM; 96.5 FM)
WDRC (1360 AM; 102.9 FM)
WRCH (100.5 FM)
WZMX (93.7FM)
WFSB Channel 3 TV
WTNH Channel 8 TV
WVIT Channel 30 TV
VIII. Late Bus Information (middle and high school)
Regional School District #10 will again provide a late bus for high school and middle school students on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. We expect to begin this service 2-3 weeks after school begins. The scheduled departure time will be approximately 4:20 p.m. from both schools. Two late buses (one for Burlington and one for Harwinton) will drop off students at central scheduled drop-off points throughout the towns. It is the parent's responsibility to meet students at these central drop off points.
Please note that the late bus transportation is not required by law and is provided by the Board of Education to help support extra-curricular activities. Such service could be discontinued at any time.
IX. Rules For The Conduct of Pupils On School Buses
1. The driver is in full charge of the bus and of all pupils riding therein at all times while pupils are being transported to and from school. The driver will abide by all rules and regulations adopted by the school authorities for the conduct of pupils riding on the bus.
2. Pupils must take a seat when they enter the bus and remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion.
3. Indecent or profane language, smoking, alcohol/drug use, weapons, rowdyism, loud talking, card playing, or unnecessary conversation with the driver are expressly prohibited.
4. Harassing others or fighting by students on a school bus is strictly prohibited.
5. No cell phones or portable DVD players may be used on school buses.
6. Pupils must not throw any object in or out of the bus.
7. Pupils must not, at any time, extend their arms or head out of the bus window.
8. Pupils must not open bus windows without permission from the driver.
9. Pupils shall enter and leave the bus only at the front door except in cases of emergency.
10. Pupils must be on time and, at all times, cooperate in keeping the bus on schedule.
11. Pupils shall, after disembarking from the bus, cross the road, if necessary, in front of the bus, being careful to see that traffic is halted. Bus drivers will determine that traffic has halted and that it is safe to cross in front of the bus. It is the responsibility of the pupil to cross the road safely while the bus remains stationary.
12. Parents of pupils who damage or deface any bus shall be held liable for such damage.
X. Penalties For Bus Violations
In cases where behavior becomes a problem on the bus, the driver can assign seats for safety purposes. The driver will report any student for disciplinary action who has continual infractions or serious infractions to the Assistant Principal or Principal for further disciplinary action. Parents will be notified.
XI. Video Cameras On Buses
To improve safety and discipline on the Region #10 school buses, the Board of Education installed video camera equipment on Sikorski and All-Star Transportation.
School administrators use the video monitoring system to review student behavior on buses and to assist in properly identifying students who misbehave.
Student discipline is an especially challenging responsibility for bus drivers and school administrators. Misbehavior can create a safety hazard for everyone. The school administration is continuing to improve safety on school buses for our students. With this monitoring system, bus drivers will be able to maintain better control of students while riding our buses.
XII. Emergency Drills
Each year the bus drivers conduct drills on emergency exit procedures with students. The administration works with the bus companies to ensure that all procedures are followed.
XIII. Driver Training
All drivers receive comprehensive training on bus operation, rules of the road, speed limits and interaction with students, staff and parents. If you have a concern, notify the bus company.
XIV. Requests to Change Pick Ups/Drop Offs (applies to all schools)
Bus routes and stops are developed taking into consideration safety and efficiency. To this end, the Board of Education may accommodate one permanent Monday through Friday pick-up and drop-off schedule for each child per school year provided it is along established bus routes. In the event a permanent change to a pick-up and drop-off schedule is needed during a school year, a written request must be submitted to the school principal at least three weeks in advance of such change.
Kindergarten Placement and Transportation Information
Kindergarten A.M. and P.M. Placement:
In accordance with longstanding procedures, the elementary school principal determines A.M. or P.M. kindergarten placement based on the geographic location of a child's residence or another permanent location (i.e. day care center at an approved bus stop). This process enables us to drop off or pick up kindergarten students in the same area of town for all A.M. students and vice versa for P.M. students. Thus, the travel time for kindergarten students at midday is minimized to the greatest extent possible.
To the extent parents wish to place their children in a different session for other reasons, the school administration will try to accommodate, if space permits. It is important to note, however, that if such change of kindergarten sessions is made, the parent is responsible for transporting his or her child at midday since transportation to this side of town will not be available.
Kindergarten Transportation:
For students attending A.M. Kindergarten:
1. Morning pick up - Pick-up will be at the regular approved bus stop.
2. Midday drop off - Kindergarten child will be dropped off at his or her home or approved stop and only if parent or guardian is present. If no parent or guardian is present at the stop when the bus arrives, the driver will immediately inform the dispatcher of this situation and bring the child back to the school after all other students have been discharged.
3. If there is an early dismissal due to inclement weather, all AM kindergarten students will be given lunch at school and then sent home.
For students attending P.M. Kindergarten:
1. Midday pick up- Kindergarten child will be picked up at his or her home.
2. End of day drop off- drop off will be at the regular approved stop and only if parent, guardian or older sibling is present. If no parent or guardian is present at the stop when the bus arrives, then the driver will immediately inform the dispatcher of this situation and bring the child back to the school after all other students have been discharged.
XVI. Transportation Policy
Regional School District #10 Transportation Policy #3541.2 is attached for your information. Any administrative decisions made with respect to this policy may be appealed in writing to the Board of Education as per State Statute #GSA Sec. 10-186.
REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 10 Board Policy #3541.2
Non-Instructional Operations
TRANSPORTATION
The Regional School District #10 Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to provide safe, courteous and efficient transportation services for its students. Designated routes and bus stops for students shall be established by the Board of Education through the Business Manager, with advice of the bus contractors, in accordance with the following guidelines:
1. Definitions
a. "School transportation" means the procedures, program or fully effective and implemented plan by which a pupil is conveyed to and/or from school from his/her residence or the bus stop at public expense whether by use of publicly owned equipment or by contract. Such transportation shall be over public roads approved by the municipality or private roads approved pursuant to C.G.S. Section 10-220c.
b. "Walking distance" means the linear measure of a prescribed or authorized pedestrian route between the pupil's residence and his school from a point at the curb or edge of a public or private road nearest the pupil's residence to a point at the entrance of the school, or a safe entrance to the school grounds located within one hundred feet of the school building entrance or the bus pickup area, or the route from the point on the public thoroughfare nearest the residence to the school bus or vehicle embarkation point established by the Board of Education.
c. "One mile walking distance" means a reasonable measurement of a route to be traversed extending from the point of measurement at least 5,280 feet, but not more that 5,380 feet.
d. "Grade K" means kindergarten, or a school program appropriate to a beginning pupil.
e. "Hazard" means a thing or condition, as prescribed in these guidelines, affecting the safety of pupils walking to and from school or designated point of embarkment (bus stop).
f. "Pupil" means any individual of school age enrolled in a public or nonprofit private school located within the school district or contiguous school district as the case may be.
REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 10 3541.2
Non-Instructional Operations
TRANSPORTATION
2. Hazardous conditions
a. The maximum walking distance from home to school or to a prescribed point of embarkation are the following: (1) pupils below the age of ten, or enrolled in Grade K through 3, one mile; (2) pupils aged ten to fourteen, or enrolled in the equivalent of grades 4 through 8, at middle school, one and one-half miles; and (3) pupils aged fourteen and over to enrolled in grades 9 through 19, two miles. Any walking route to either the bus stop or the school which is in excess of the above distances shall be hazardous.
b. Any street, road, or highway which has no sidewalk or raised walk areas shall be deemed hazardous if one or more of the following conditions exist:
1. For pupils under age ten, or enrolled in grades K through 3, any street, road or highway possessing a traffic count of sixty or more vehicles per hour at the time that pupils are walking to and from school or designated bus stop and where posted speed limits are in excess of 35 miles per hour.
2. For all pupils, the usual or frequent presence of man-made hazards such as open man-holes, dangerous construction, snow plowed or piled on the walk are making walkways unusable, loading zones where delivery trucks are permitted to park on walkways, commercial entrances and exits where cars are crossing walking areas at speeds in excess of five miles per hour, and the like.
3. For all pupils when the line-of-sight visibility together with posted speed limits do not permit vehicular braking/stopping in accordance with the Connecticut Drivers Manual or Department of Transportation, Division of Design, except in those cases in which a road is less than 22 feet unplowed, or 20 feet plowed.
4. A lake, pond, stream, culvert, water-way or bridge within ten feet of a walk area shall be deemed a hazard in the absence of a fence or other suitable barrier fixed between the pupil and the water for pupils in grades K through 4, except in those cases in which a road is less than 22 feet unplowed, or 20 feet plowed.
REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 10 3541.2
TRANSPORTATION
2b. Hazardous Conditions (continued)
5. Any area adjacent and within five feet of a roadway, walkway, sidewalk, or bridge having a drop of three or more feet per four feet of travel length on either side of the established lanes, the absence of a fence or other suitable barrier shall be deemed hazardous for pupils in grades K through 4, except in those cases in which a road is less than 22 feet unplowed, or 20 feet plowed.
6. Walking to and from school or the bus stop at any time prior to one-half hour before sunrise or any time one-half hour after sunset shall be deemed hazardous for pupils in grades K through 8.
c. Any street, road, walkway, sidewalk or path designated as a walking route for all school pupils which passes through an area which has a history of aggressive acts of molestation resulting in actual or threatened physical harm or moral degradation during the hours when pupils ordinarily walk to or from school shall be deemed hazardous.
3. These guidelines are applicable to private roads approved for passage of school transportation vehicles in accordance with C.G.S. Section 10-220c. In no case shall this policy be interpreted to require the Board of Education to transport any student except as identified below in #4 on a public or private road which is less than 22 feet wide unplowed, or 20 feet plowed.
4. Pupils possessing physical handicaps and/or health conditions rendering them unable to walk to either the bus stop or school and Special Education pupils shall be judged on an individual basis.
5. Designated Bus Routes and Stops
Bus routes and stops are developed taking into consideration safety and efficiency. To this end, the Board of Education may accommodate one permanent Monday through Friday pick-up and drop-off schedule for each child per school year provided it is along established bus routes. In the event a permanent change to a pick-up and drop-off schedule is needed during a school year, a written request must be submitted to the school principal at least three weeks in advance of such change.
Policy adopted: March 1985
Policy revised: August 23, 1998
Policy revised: June 11, 2001