EEA (EEAEC)
(EEAG)
(EEBB)
(JICC)
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
POLICY
New Hampshire statutes (RSA 189:6) call for school districts to transport all students living more than two miles from school, and state that schools may ask students to walk up to 1 1/2 miles to their bus stop.
Chichester Central School students who live less than one and one-half miles from the school may ride on school buses going to the school on a “space available basis” with the following conditions:
3. the School Board will consider exceptions to the above stated conditions in cases involving student safety issues
Proper student behavior is necessary to help maintain safety in bus ridership. If a student does not behave on the school bus by not adhering to the State and district rules, appropriate disciplinary measures will be administered.
The right of all pupils to ride a school bus is based upon good behavior and observance of the following rules and regulations. Any pupil who violates any of these will be reported to the school principal and may lose transportation privileges.
Regulations for
1. The bus driver is in full charge of the bus and the pupils. Pupils shall obey the driver promptly.
2. Pupils shall occupy the seat designated for them by the driver.
3. Pupils shall be on time at the point of pick-up. the bus cannot wait for those who are not on time. If a pupil misses the bus, it is the parent’s responsibility to transport the student to school.
4. Pupils shall observe the following:
a. never stand in the road while waiting for the bus
b. Don’t litter the bus or throw litter from the bus.
Revised: October, 1997
c. Don’t mar or otherwise deface the bus.
d. Avoid unnecessary conversation with the driver.
e. Don’t start for school when sick.
f. Absolutely no smoking and lighting of matches.
g. At all times keep arms and head inside the bus
h. Get on and off the bus only when it is not in motion
i. Don’t leave the bus without driver’s consent, except at home or at school.
j. Respect all pedestrians.
k. Report to the driver any damages to the bus.
l. Walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.
m. Pupils are allowed to converse at acceptable noise level. Unnecessary loud or boisterous noise is not allowed.
n. Profane language or derogatory remarks will not be allowed.
o. Singing or whistling will be allowed on the bus only with permission of the driver.
p. Bus windows may be open during warm weather. Students who open windows will make certain that the windows are closed upon leaving the bus. In any case, the driver of the bus will control those conditions that affect the temperature of the bus.
5. Pupils who must cross the road after clearing the bus should pass in front of the bus and not behind it. The driver should see that the way is clear before the child is permitted to cross the road.
6. Should any pupil persist in violating any of these regulations, it shall be the duty of the driver to notify the principal. A formal report will be made out and appropriate action will be taken. Written notice of the action by the principal shall be given to the parent. Such notices need not precede action by the principal.
7. Any complaints by drivers, pupils or parents, not specified in the above regulations, shall be reported promptly to the principal.
8. Should the misconduct of a pupil continue, even after the driver’s verbal warning, the pupil may be removed from the bus. this will be done in extreme cases and as a last resort to protect the safety of other pupils.
9. Parent or student complaints concerning the operation of buses should be directed to the school principal.
10. If a pupil is going to ride a bus, other than the one he/she normally rides, written permission of the parent stating the reason is required. This request is to be given to the principal. The student will receive a pass to ride on an alternative bus, if space is available.
Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 189: 6 - 8, the Superintendent, or his representative as designated in writing, is authorized to suspend the right of pupils from riding in a school bus when said pupils fail to conform to the reasonable rules and regulations as may be approved by the School Board.
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Said suspension shall not begin until the next school day following the day notification of suspension is sent to the pupil’s parent or legal guardian.
1. If a pupil has been denied the right to ride a school bus for disciplinary reasons, the parent or guardian of that pupil has a right to appeal within ten days of suspension to the authority that suspended this pupil’s right.
2. Until the appeal is heard, or if the suspension of pupil’s right to ride the school bus is upheld, it shall be the parents’ or guardians’ responsibility to provide transportation to and from school for that pupil for the period of the suspension.
The responsibility of the school administration begins when the child sets foot on the school bus. The responsibility ceases at the end of the school day when the child leaves the bus.
The following guidelines suggest the role for pupils and parents as they relate to safety in pupil transportation:
1. Riding the school bus is a privilege. This privilege may be temporarily denied or permanently revoked if misconduct of your child jeopardizes the safe operation of the school bus or the safety of the children riding the bus.
2. 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 when the child disembarks at his/her designated bus stop. Once the child enters the school bus, the authority lies with the bus driver and the school administration.
3. Children should leave home early enough so that they arrive at the designated school bus stop or crossing point five (5) minutes before the scheduled arrival time of the school bus.
4. Parents should be aware of their responsibility not only for their child’s behavior while on the school bus, but also their responsibility for damage caused by their children to the property of others, including the school bus. When a child walks to and from the bus stop or school, while he/she waits at the school bus stop, and when he/she walks home from the school bus stop at the end of the school day, he/she must show consideration and respect for the property of those citizens whose homes and places of business are located along these routes. Pupils violating this section will be disciplined.
5. Parents together with the child, should develop a route to and from the school bus stop or school, which minimizes the exposure of the child to vehicle traffic. Shortcuts through isolated fields, and woods, or across streams can often be dangerous. Entering of abandoned houses or deserted buildings by children on their way to or from school should not be condoned. Injuries may not be covered by school insurance companies. the route should be direct and uninterrupted.
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6. Parents should walk with younger children to and from the school bus stop, using opportunity to teach the children proper pedestrian practices. If the parents cannot accompany their children arrangements should be made within older brother, sister or a neighbor to escort the younger children to and from the school bus stop or school.
7. Parents should develop in their children an awareness of the molestation (personal harassment) problem. Do not permit your child to accept candy, soft drink, money, toys or rides from strangers or to associate with anyone they do not know. If your child is confronted with these problems on his/her way to school, he/she must tell you or his/her teacher as soon as possible. This is a situation that will be handled by police.
8. Parents should realize that weather determines how a child is to be dressed. Encourage your child to wear the type of clothing that will not only keep him/her warm and enable him/her to see where he/she is going, but also will permit him/her to be seen. If children cannot be seen by the drivers of vehicles, they are in danger. For example, white clothing is difficult to see in snow, but makes one clearly visible at night. If the weather is inclement, the child should be dressed for the occasion and leave a few minutes earlier than his/her normal starting time in order to reach the school bus stop or school safely and on time.
9. In inclement weather
announcements regarding the closing of schools or delayed opening begin at
approximately
10. The application of common sense is the best
method of determining the role of the parents regarding the safety of children
traveling to and from school either as a passenger on a school bus or as a
pedestrian.
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