The Transportation Department takes great pride in transporting our students safely on a daily basis. Below are the rules and tips to assist in continuing safe and efficient transportation.

Bus stops

• Families are notified of bus stops and approximate pick-up and drop-off times by mail in August.

• Students must use the assigned bus stops as designated by the school district.

• Students should be at their bus stops at least five minutes early.

• Parents/guardians are responsible for the behavior and safety of their students at the bus stop until they enter the bus and after they depart the bus.

• Requests for bus stop changes will be made for legitimate safety concerns. All other bus stop change requests must be submitted in writing and signed and dated bythe parent/guardian to be evaluated by the Routing Department.

Riding the bus

• Our bus routes are developed to be as safe and efficient as possible.

• Ride times vary depending on the school and where the students live.

Late bus routes after school

• The student must be staying after school for a school-approved reason.

• Late routes are not set routes. Rather, they serve a geographical location based on which students have opted to ride. Late route drivers determine the best drop-off location for students. Students may not be dropped off at their normal bus stops, which means a student may be required to walk a longer distance from the bus stop to their home on a late bus route.

Riding other buses/Bus passes

• There are numerous factors to consider before a student is allowed to ride a bus other than their assigned one or get off at a different bus stop.

• The requested bus stop needs to be an established stop.

• There must be adequate space on the bus for guest students.

• A student always needs a bus pass that is issued by their school to present to the bus driver.

What can be brought on the bus?

• New York State Department of Transportation and federal regulations PROHIBIT bringing large items and musical instruments onto school buses. All of the items that a child brings to school should be packed in a carrying case, such as a tote bag or backpack. This must be small enough to fit on the student's lap. Large items, weapons, pets or any live animals, glass containers and aerosol cans will not be transported by school bus.

Lost and found procedures

*The transportation department is not responsible for lost items.

• There are many items left on school buses every day. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the parent so the item can be picked up.

• Items with a name and phone number on them are easier to get back to their owners.

• Every reasonable effort will be made to contact the owner of the item.

Medical conditions/Injury or temporary medical conditions

A student's medical condition should be reported to the school nurse, as well as the Transportation Department. If the medical condition should change, this should also be reported to the director of transportation. Student records will be kept confidential with information shared only on a "need to know" basis.

Requests for special transportation as a result of an injury or other medical condition must be accompanied by detailed instruction from the student's physician. These instructions should include the exact needs and expected duration of the special busing report. Special busing is subject to approval by the Transportation Department.

Help keep our students safe

An adult is required to be present for the drop off of children in prekindergarten through first grade. Bus drivers must see the adult in order to let the district's youngest students off the bus. In addition, please follow the "No Through Traffic" signs posted at each of the schools. This is especially important when a bus is in front of any school with its red lights flashing, loading or unloading students.

School bus safety tips

It's the law! Never pass a stopped school bus when its lights are flashing!

• Flashing yellow lights are a warning that the bus is preparing to stop and load or unload students. Be prepared to stop.

• When the red lights are flashing, you must stop. This includes all roadways and any place on campus, including parking lots.

• Watch for children after they leave the bus - they can be impulsive and unpredictable.

• Buses do not turn right on red.

• Vehicles that pass a bus while the red lights are flashing will be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Changes in transportation plans

If a change in location for pick up or drop off is necessary, the courtesy of 48 hours' notice is appreciated. The Transportation Department can be reached by email or at (518) 642-1051 ext. 5202.