STOW-MUNROE FALLS CITY SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - POLICIES, PROCEDURES, & GUIDELINES
Transportation Center 330-689-5234
Late Bus? Call 330-689-5234 and press 1 for a status update.
Although your school bus drivers train extensively and are experienced in the many different facets of pupil transportation, they need the cooperation and assistance of both students and parents to ensure the safest trip possible.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND POLICIES
The transportation policies of the Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education are aimed at providing a safe and efficient method of transporting students to and from school. It is the desire of the Board that transportation be scheduled so that the best educational interests of the students are served.
The district will furnish school bus transportation to all elementary and secondary school students to the extent determined by the administration and approved by the Board.
This may vary due to the safety conditions that prevail in certain areas of the district.
FORBIDDEN CARGO
No glass containers, bottles, aerosol cans, helium balloons, or fragile or flammable items may be carried on the bus. Personal headphone CD/cassette/radios are allowed if permitted in your school. They must be played as not to disturb others. No laser pointers can be used on the bus.
The transportation or carrying of firearms or any other weapons or explosives on a school bus is prohibited by law. Animals are also prohibited, with the exception of those intended for special needs assistance.
Sharp or pointed school supply items (pens, pencils, compasses, etc.) must be carried in a closed container.
Please arrange another means of transportation if you must bring any large, fragile, or forbidden cargo to school. Packages or large musical instruments may be carried if there is sufficient space. Students must check with the bus driver in advance.
THE ONE MILE LIMIT
Generally, the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District will provide transportation for resident students, in Kindergarten through Grade 12, who live more than one (1) mile from the school of attendance and for those students with disabilities for whom school provided transportation is deemed required by IEP. Parents or guardians of students who live within one (1) mile are responsible for transporting their students to and from school.
RIDING THE BUS
No student is permitted to stand while riding a school bus. Since there may be three students to a seat, it is important to share the space. Students will have assigned seats. Do not move from your seat unless instructed to do so.
LOADING: Wait for your bus in a safe place, approximately 30 feet away from the roadway. You should line up single file and board the bus in an orderly manner, going immediately to your seat so that the bus will not be delayed and others may board. Do not stand or kneel on seats or sit on seat backs, as you could be injured if the bus stops suddenly, and it damages the safety seat cushions.
UNLOADING: When arriving at school, remain seated until instructed by your driver to exit the bus. Stand and move only after the bus comes to complete stop.
CROSSING THE ROADWAY: When it is necessary to cross the street or road before getting on or after getting off the bus, you must cross at least ten (10) feet in front of the bus. Always wait for the bus driver’s signal to cross the street or road, as the bus driver is in a position to see traffic from both directions. After the bus driver signals you to cross, look in both directions before moving into a traffic lane. Remember, if your driver sounds the horn, its means DANGER!
EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS: Your driver will hold practice drills for emergency evacuations. To insure your safety, you must become familiar with the proper procedures. If you cannot participate in a practice drill, your parent must send a written note to your school office.
Reminder: There is a “Danger Zone” 10 feet around all sides of the bus. Do not run after a moving bus or stop to play or pick up dropped items in this area.
BUS STOPS / ROUTES / SCHEDULES
Bus routes, stops and schedules are adopted by the Board of Education. Safety is the primary criteria in establishing the location of bus stops. The law requires that the number of stops must be limited as much as possible. Therefore, where several children from several homes can meet safely at a single point, it must be the only stop.
Students are required to board and leave the bus at their assigned bus stop. In addition, students should be at their bus stop at least 5 minutes early. These requirements are necessary for the safety of the students and the need to get students to and from school in a timely manner.
Bus routes and schedules are designed to provide students with safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation to and from school.
Bus schedules can change during the course of the year. When bus arrival times change more than five minutes, parents will be notified.
BUS ASSIGNMENTS
Under normal circumstances, students are required to ride the buses to which they have been assigned. Where emergency circumstances arise, provisions can be made. The guidelines for riding buses other than those assigned are:
A note from the parent/guardian sent to the building principal indicating the emergency and requesting an alternative stop.
The note must state the reasons for the request and specify where the parent/guardian can be reached if necessary. This note should be presented to the school office in the morning for the principal’s signature. The note must be presented to the bus driver by the student before the child can be transported. Students cannot be transported outside of their school attendance area.
If there is no note for a change signed by the building principal, a student will not be transported to a different location than his/her approved stop. Students must have notes from parents requesting a different pick-up on the morning ride to school in addition to a phone call to the Transportation Center. Students are not transported to job sites.