Transportation

This form is for parents/guardians who would like to request a change in their child's bus stop for safety reasons.  The following issues will not be considerations reviewed for bus stop change requests: walking distance to the stop, visibility of stop from residence, issues with overseeing non-school age children, or lack of sidewalks.  

Stop Change Request Form

1. If something falls under or near the bus, tell the driver, NEVER try to pick it up yourself!
2. Stand at least 5 giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road.
3. Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.
4. While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.
5. Always walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus.
6. Wait for the driver’s signal to cross.
7. Be sure the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.
8. Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.
9. Stay in your seat and sit quietly so that the driver is not distracted.
10.Follow driver’s instructions

• Teach your child to ask the driver for help if he drops something near the bus. If a child bends down to pick up something, the driver cannot see him and the child may be hit by the bus. Have your child use a backpack or book bag to keep loose items together.
• Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so that they won’t drop things along the way.
• Go to the bus stop with a young child and have older children walk in groups. There’s safety in numbers because groups are easier for drivers to see.
• If you decide to meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street.
• Children can get so excited at seeing you after school they might forget safety rules and dash across the street. Wait with your child until the driver signals for you to cross the road.
• Make sure your student leaves home on time so that they can walk to the bus stop and arrive five minutes before the bus is due. Running can be dangerous.
• Remind your children to walk on the sidewalks or out of the street, single file, facing traffic, and as close to the edge of the road as possible.
• Have them wear bright, contrasting colors so that they will be more easily seen by drivers. Better still, attach a piece of high visibility fluorescent and reflective material to their clothing or backpack.

The Danger Zone is the area close to the bus in the front, sides, and back where the driver may not be able to see you. To make sure that the driver sees you, remain on the side of the street at least 10 feet, or 10 giant steps away from the bus. If you can see the driver's eyes, that means the driver can see you. 

Click Here For The Danger Zone

Do students practice emergency evacuations from the school bus?

Yes, by law it is required on a semi-annual basis that all students be instructed in the proper way to evacuate a school bus in an emergency situation. Drills are performed on each route in the early fall and late spring of each school year. Drivers are trained in the proper use of emergency exits and procedures.

Who should I call if my child is having a problem with the driver or with another student on the bus

Please call the transportation office at 650-7200 between the hours of 6:00 am and 5:00 pm daily.

My child lives in the country and has not been riding for several days. Do I need to let someone know?

Yes, please call the Transportation Dispatch Office at 650-7200 if your child will start riding the bus after an absence of three days or more.

My child occasionally needs to ride home to a different location. Is this possible?

Students requesting to ride home on a bus other than the one to which they are assigned must present a note from their parent/guardian to their school office before 11:00 am on their riding day. The note must include the student's first and last name, parent and the phone number where the requesting student's parent can be reached to confirm permission. This request must be submitted in writing. It cannot be arranged over the phone. Bus passes will NOT be approved on early release days for grades 7-12.

If my child misses their bus will you send out another one?

A back-up bus will not be provided if students miss the bus. Back-up transportation is provided only if it is verified there has been a Transportation Department error.

 If the bus is late, will my child be marked tardy?

No. Students are not marked "tardy" if their school bus arrives at school late.

What should I do if the bus doesn't show up?

Pick up and drop off times will not vary to any great extent on a normal basis. Circumstances beyond our control could make the bus late occasionally. Vehicle "break downs", detours, emergencies, or weather related problems are a few reasons that could make the bus late. We will always make sure a bus will be at your stop. If you wait is longer than fifteen minutes please contact the transportation office at 650-7200.

The bus goes right by my house. Why can't it stop here?

School bus stops are placed in central locations to shorten route length and travel times. The Transportation Department makes every effort to see that these stops are safe and have appropriate walking routes to them. In many cases a bus will stop at a front door if there is no appropriate stop within a reasonable distance. School bus stops must be placed at least five hundred feet apart. Request for changes in routes or stops must be submitted in writing to the transportation office.

Fort Osage R-1 School District
SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
Behavior Rules and Discipline Procedures for School Bus Riders

Transportation for any student to ride in a school bus is a PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT. The safety and welfare of student riders depends on proper behavior and observance
of the following rules and regulations. Any pupil who violates any of these rules will be reported to the proper authority and his/her privilege of transportation may be denied.
These rules apply to STUDENT ACTIVITY TRIPS as well as regular bus routes to and from school.

1. Always Be Safe

   1. While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street and stand at least 5 giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road. DO NOT run after the bus if you are late. 

   2. Do not use a stop that is not assigned to you unless it has been approved through the transportation office.

   3. Wait for the bus to come to a COMPLETE stop and the door opens before trying to board or depart. Be sure the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver. If you must CROSS THE ROAD, wait for the DRIVER TO SIGNAL (thumbs up) you across when he/she has determined all traffic has stopped. ALWAYS cross at least ten (10) feet in FRONT of the bus, whether boarding or departing. NEVER cross behind the bus.

   4. If something falls under or near the bus, tell the driver, NEVER try to pick it up yourself!

   5. USE HANDRAILS when boarding or departing the bus.

   6. After boarding the bus, sit down and remain seated facing forward in your assigned seat until the bus reaches your stop.

   7. Keep the aisle clear. Store personal items on your lap. Bulky items may be brought onto the bus as long as they can safely fit into the seating compartment and do not pose a safety hazard or occupy space needed for a bus rider. All items must be in a backpack or case.

   8. Do not extend any part of your body out the bus windows and do not throw anything, including in and out of the bus window.

   9. No loud or boisterous speech (yelling, screaming or screeching) or other disruptive noises.

   10. No horseplay, fighting or physical aggression.

   11. No tobacco, drugs, alcohol, matches, lighters, weapons, or explosives on the bus

   12. No talking at railroad crossings.

   13. No spraying fumes of any kind (cologne or perfume)

   14. DO NOT eat or drink on the bus.

   15. Please reference student and parent safety tips as well.

2. Respect People and Property

   1. The DRIVER and MONITOR are in FULL charge of the bus and its passengers and have authority to enforce all the rules. Respect their authority by obeying promptly and courteously. Students and parents are to refrain from unnecessary conversation with the driver.

   2. No fighting, pushing, tripping, kicking, etc. will be tolerated on the bus.

   3. No name calling, swearing, or rude/abusive language.

   4. TREAT THE BUS WITH RESPECT. ANY DAMAGES TO THE BUS WILL BE PAID FOR BY THE STUDENT OR HIS/HER PARENTS. VANDALISM MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF RIDING PRIVILEGES UNTIL PAID FOR.

3. Appropriate Behavior

   1. No inappropriate language or behavior.

   2. NO crass conversation or discussion of topics that are not age appropriate.

   3. No taking photos or videos.

   4. No inappropriate material from technological devices including images and sounds. Technology privileges can be revoked if these expectations are not being followed.

4. BE AT THE BUS STOP 5 MINUTES EARLY. The BUS CAN NOT WAIT for those who are tardy.

   1. DO NOT run after the bus if you are late.

In summary, no distracting or dangerous activity will be allowed on the
bus.

DISCIPLINE PROCESS

For the safety of all students inappropriate behavior on the school bus will not be tolerated. Transportation to and from school is part of the school day, and all of the rules governing student behavior are in force. The issue of safety requires that students be on their best behavior while on the school bus.

Students, parents and school employees must understand that rules are to be consistently and fairly enforced and obeyed.

Such misbehavior as rudeness, pushing, fighting, throwing objects, obscenity, and other offenses may result in immediate suspension of all transportation services.

The following will be observed in dealing with violations of the school bus safety rules.

1. First Offense - Warning
Parents will receive an email from the Transportation department stating the infraction. An email of the misconduct will be issued to the building principal(s) and the student's parents. 

2. Second Offense - Same as the first offense; parents will receive an email from the Transportation department stating the infraction. An email of the misconduct will be issued to the building principal(s) and the student's parents. 

3. Third Offense - Short Term Suspension. A third misconduct can result in a three day suspension. Parents will receive an email from the Transportation department regarding the student’s infraction. In addition, a phone call will be made to the student’s parents to verbally inform them of the suspension. If contact is not made via phone, a letter will be sent home with the student that includes the details of the infraction and suspension. An email of the misconduct will be issued to the building principal(s) and student’s parents.

4. Fourth Offense - Short Term Suspension. A fourth misconduct can result in a five day suspension. Parents will receive an email from the Transportation department regarding the student’s infraction. In addition, a phone call will be made to the student’s parents to verbally inform them of the suspension. If contact is not made via phone, a letter will be sent home with the student that includes the details of the infraction and suspension. An email of the misconduct will be issued to the building principal(s) and student’s parents.

5. Fifth Offense - Long Term Suspension
A fifth misconduct can result in a ten day suspension. Parents will receive an email from the Transportation department regarding the student’s infraction. In addition, a phone call will be made to the student’s parents to verbally inform them of the suspension. If contact is not made via phone, a letter will be sent home with the student that includes the details of the infraction and suspension. An email of the misconduct will be issued to the building principal(s) and student’s parents. Parents/guardians may be called in for a conference before transportation can resume. 

5. Sixth Offense - Extended Suspension
A sixth misconduct can result in a thirty to one-hundred and twenty day suspension. Parents will receive an email from the Transportation department regarding the student’s infraction. In addition, a phone call will be made to the student’s parents to verbally inform them of the suspension. If contact is not made via phone, a letter will be sent home with the student that includes the details of the infraction and suspension. An email of the misconduct will be issued to the building principal(s) and student’s parents. Parents/guardians will be called in for a conference before transportation can resume. 

IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION CLAUSE: Defiance of driver, flagrant safety violation, or hurting another student will result in immediate suspension and a possible conference before the student may ride again.
The safety of all students riding the bus is dependent on the driver's ability to attend to driving. Unauthorized behavior draws the driver's attention away from the important task of attending to the safe transportation of students. District buses are equipped with video cameras and the student's behavior is subject to being reviewed on videotape. Videotapes are to be reviewed by district personnel only in accordance with Federal Education Right to Privacy Act guidelines.