EEA (EEAEC)
(EEAG)
(EEBB)
(JICC)
ALLENSTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION POLICY
APPROVED: November, 1989
BUS TRANSPORTATION:
The bus schedule is published in the Concord and Manchester newspapers in late August. It is given to students and is available at the school office anytime.
BUS TRANSPORTATION - POLICY:
It is the intent of the School Board to comply with the letter and the spirit of the laws of the State of New Hampshire and the rules and regulations of the Commissioner of Education pertaining to the transportation of pupils.
1) It shall be the general policy of the School Board that no elementary school student will be required to walk more than one and one-half (1½) miles to school or to an assigned school bus pick up point.
2) The School Board may make exceptions to the general policy in case involving pupils suffering from physical disabilities or in other cases where the School Board deems there is sufficient justification to make an exception.
3) In the case where a student is tuitioned out of the school district, it shall be the policy of the School Board to pay a sum not to exceed State Average cost for transportation allowance.
The school principal (or his/her representative) is responsible for establishing bus routes, schedules, pickup points, assignments of bus drivers, their duties, etc., with the approval of the School Board.
The Allenstown School Board has an obligation for pupils walking to and from established bus pickup points. However, the legal responsibility lies with parents.
Parents are responsible for the safety of their children from the time they leave home in the morning until the time they board the school bus; and at the end of the school day from the time the school bus departs the loading/unloading area and the children reach home. Once the child enters the school bus, the authority lies with the bus driver and the school administration.
BUS REGULATIONS FOR STUDENTS:
It is the intention of the Allenstown School District to comply with the laws of New Hampshire and the rules and regulations of the Commissioner of Education pertaining to the transportation of pupils. Transported students must conform to the policy and regulations as prescribed by the Allenstown School Board.
1) The school bus driver is in complete charge of the school bus and the pupils. The bus driver shall have the same authority in maintaining discipline as a teacher in the classroom.
2) Pupils must be on time at the designated bus stop to meet the school bus. Since the school bus is operating on a schedule it cannot wait at any bus stop for children who are not within sight of the bus when the bus arrives.
3) Any unnecessary talking with the bus driver is prohibited.
4) While ordinary conversation between pupils is permitted, loud, vulgar and other improper language will not be tolerated.
5) Neither smoking nor drinking is permitted in the school bus.
6) Waste paper or other articles may not be thrown on the floor or out the windows of the bus.
7) Lunch boxes, books, and any other bundles carried by the pupils shall be kept on their seat or in a place designated by the bus driver, but not in the aisle. Center aisle should be kept free at all times.
8) All pupils must be seated while the bus is in motion and must remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
9) Pupils shall not put arms, hands, heads, feet, etc. out of windows. Feet must be kept off the seats.
10) Pupils shall go to the rear of the bus when getting on unless assigned to a specific seat by the driver.
11) The rear emergency door shall be used only in case of emergency and windows opened only with permission of the driver.
12) Large items such as sleds may not be carried on the bus without prior approval of the bus driver.
13) Students must ride the bus regularly to ensure that drivers will continue to stop at their homes or bus stops.
The Allenstown School District feels a strong responsibility for the safe transportation of our students to and from school. Therefore, if a child does not abide by the bus regulations, the following bus discipline process will happen.
If a bus driver gives a written report concerning a bus student to the school administration, the following steps will occur if the student is found at fault:
First referral A written notification describing the infraction will be sent to the parents informing them that future bus infractions will result in a three day suspension from riding the bus.
Second referral Three days suspension from riding the bus.
Third referral Five day suspension from riding the bus.
Fourth referral Report given to the Superintendent of Schools with a request to suspend the student from riding the bus for ten days.
Fifth referral Report given to the School Board with a request to suspend the student from riding the bus for the remainder of the school year.
Under the provisions of RSA 189:9-a II, parents are responsible for their childs transportation in the event their child is suspended from riding the bus.
BUS TRANSPORTATION Other Information
While waiting for and getting on the bus, students are expected to:
1. Be on time at their designated bus stop.
2. Wait quietly DO NOT play in the roadway.
3. DO NOT damage property at the bus stop such as: flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns.
Children who wish to get off the bus for a specific reason (to go elsewhere than home) must have a signed statement by the parents to that effect. (A telephone call is not desirable.)
Pupils assigned to a bus are not permitted to change or transfer to another bus without the expressed permission of the principal.
Any request for a change or transfer of bus must be submitted in written form by the parent or guardian to the school principal. A request is granted only based on the seating capacity of the bus. Overcrowding is not permitted.
Bus students must also have a signed note from parents when they wish to walk or ride a bicycle home or to be transported in a private car.
Students who live in a bus zone may either bring a cold lunch or
purchase lunch in the school cafeteria only. BUS STUDENTS ARE NOT
PERMITTED TO LEAVE SCHOOL GROUNDS AT LUNCH.