parent academy topic: home-to-school transportation

Parent AcademyTopic: Home-to-School Transportation

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Outcomes

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• Student Eligibility• School Bus Safety Rules• Conduct Report (Bus Ticket)• Inclement Weather• Frequently Asked Questions

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Student Eligibility

Transportation is provided if you attend your school of residence but live beyond

• 1.5 mile radius for Elementary School• 2.0 mile radius for Intermediate School

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How is the Radius Applied?Radius Around Point Map

No bussing inside the radius

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“No Bus Zone” Within the Radius

1.5 miles

2 miles

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Student Eligibility

• Students will be assigned a bus stop• Students must agree to obey all laws and

transportation rulesHome-to-school transportation is a privilege not

a mandate• Students on intra-district transfers or attending a

school of choice are not eligible for home-to-school transportation

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School Bus Safety Rules

• Arrive at Bus Stop 5 minutes early every day• While waiting for the bus:

Line up in single file No pushing, shoving, or chasingRespect private propertyDo not disturb neighbors with loud voices

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Getting On and Off the Bus

• Wait for the bus to completely stop before boarding

• Students must get on and off at their assigned bus stop ONLY

• Never bend down near or under the bus• Wait for the driver to safely help you cross the

street

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Riding the Bus

• Respect the driver, other students, and yourself• Stay seated, wear seatbelt, and face front• Remember:

Seat to seatBack to backEyes to front

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Riding the Bus

• You may talk quietly to the person seated next to you

• Students must keep their belongings on their laps• No large objects permitted

balls, skateboards, bats, etc.• Nothing goes out the window

Including voices, hands and heads

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Conduct Report (Bus Ticket)

• If a student misbehaves on the bus, the parents will receive a Conduct Report (bus ticket)

• Serious infractions, including abusive body contact, may result in: Suspension from transportation Loss of transportation privilege

• Warning tickets may be issued for less serious infractions

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School Crossing Guards• Students who Walk to School Should Use the

Suggested Routes to School• These Routes have been Determined to be the

Safest Route for Students, as they may include:SidewalksReduced speed zoneBetter visibilityCrossing guardsTraffic signalsStop signs

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School Crossing Guards

• School Crossing Guards Help Students Cross the Street Safely

• School Crossing Guards are only Mandatory for Schools Serving Students Under 7th grade

• State and Local Governments Determine the Need for School Crossing Guards

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Inclement Weather

• If there is snow on the ground, or flooding due to heavy rains, the district may opt to either close school or issue a 2-hour delay.

• These decisions will be made by the Superintendent as early as possible to avoid disruptions in family schedules.

• Parents can access school closure information through the PSD website and local radio stations

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Who employs the Bus Drivers?A: STA, the Contractor

Q: Who do I call when a bus is late?A: STA, the Contractor (661.538.9445)

Q: Who do I report my change of address to?A: Your child’s school and SESS (661.456.1451) for SDC.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)Q: What if I need more than one bus stop?

A: If your daycare provider’s address is within the bussing area for your child’s school, an additional bus stop may be entered into AERIES making your child eligible to get on/off at more than one stop. In cases of shared custody, an additional bus stop may also be entered into AERIES, if the other parent’s address is also within the bussing area.

Q: Is bussing free of cost?A: Bussing is free to eligible students, however, funding comes from the district’s general fund.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Why isn’t bussing available for my child?A: The PSD has had to enforce the no bus zone for students living within the 1.5 or 2.0 mile radius due to serious budget cuts. Every dollar spent for bussing reduces the dollars spent in the classrooms.

Q: Can I pay the PSD to bus my child?A: No. There is no “fee for service” program in place for PSD.

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Contact Information• Sherilyn Thacker Director – 266.7297

sathacker@palmdalesd.org• John Mosley – Assistant Director – 266.7281

jjmosley@palmdalesd.org• Angela Williams – 538.9445

awilliams@ridesta.com• Leslie Blodgett – Administrative Secretary• Mary Hines – Transportation Technician 266.7299

mahines@palmdalesd.org