Page 18 - Student Handbook- Bethune Elementary 2018-2019_Neat

AS A PARENT, HOW CAN I ASSIST IN THE SCHOOL BUS EFFORTS?
1. Ensure that your child understands his/her responsibilities when riding the bus.
2. Parents can take turns monitoring local neighborhood school bus stops.
3. While driving your car, be alert for school buses and stop while the bus is loading or unloading children.
4. Report violations of school bus drivers to the North Central Transportation Office, giving bus number,
location, and time. You can reach Mrs. Ernestine Ross, Bus Supervisor at 803-425-8976 or fax her at
803-424-2849 or email her at Ernestine.ross@kcsdschools.net.

BUS FACTS

DID YOU KNOW THAT…?

● A student must live 1.5 miles from school to be eligible to ride a school bus.
● Bus stops for students must be at least .2 of a mile apart and be located at safe points.
● A bus cannot leave the main road to go to a residence to pick up a student unless the student lives .3 miles or
more from the main road.
● Four-year olds and kindergarten students must catch the bus with all other students in the mornings and
afternoon. However, they will be picked up and dropped off in front of their residences during the midday.
● All students younger than third grade must have an adult at the stop to receive the child. In the event
no one is present at the stop the child will be returned to his or her school or the resource officer and
placed in the after school program where a fee may be charged to pick the child up. (The second and
all following times a child has to be returned to the school will result in a bus referral and possible
suspension.)
● All bus stops must have clear visibility of 600 feet or more in either directions or a “School Bus Stop Ahead”
sign shall be located at a point 600 feet in each direction of the designated stop.
● Buses shall not be permitted to leave regular routes. Stops and turnabouts shall not be made on blind curves,
steep grades or near the crest of hills or in any other unsafe traffic environment.
● Drivers do not have the authority to vary from their route without prior approval from their supervisor.
● Students must ride only their regular assigned bus. Students riding another bus for the purpose of going
home with friends or other family members must have written permission from a parent/guardian. Any and all
changes to your child’s transportation or bus stop must have written permission in advance. These
requests must be approved in advance by the school principal.
● It is unlawful to detain, board, or otherwise interfere with a school bus. All questions or comments should be
directed to the supervisor not the driver.
● Buses are not allowed to stop at any one stop more than one time. If the student is not at his or her stop,
and the bus prepares to move, the driver cannot put the stop sign back out to wait on a child to get on the
bus. The child may be taken to another stop to board.
● Do not approach a school bus from the rear. The driver cannot see you.
● A school bus can only stop at designated stops. If you miss the bus at your stop, you may go to another
stop to get on as long as you reach the stop before the bus arrives.
● In the event that students become uncontrollable making it unsafe for a driver to continue the route, law
enforcement will be called and unruly students will be removed from the bus.
● Breakdowns and delays cannot be avoided. If you or your child has an appointment scheduled after school, it
is always best to pick them up in the event there is a breakdown or bus delay.

WHAT IF MY CHILD MISSES THE BUS?
If a child misses the bus, it becomes the responsibility of the parent to get the child to school on time.