DIRECTOR STATEMENT sound their horn or wait for a student who is not waiting at the stop. It buses have the right of way on school property and all other vehicles
is important for students to be at their stop before the bus arrives, so that should yield to school buses on school property. High school students
The first and last person most of our students see each day is their bus driver. Our
they will not cause the other students to be late for school. Also, when a driving to school must be vigilant in bus loading zones and in school
Transportation Department wants this experience to be a positive one for students
school bus is stopped for any length of time, the wait causes an unsafe parking lots.
and parents. This pamphlet is developed as a guide so that all stakeholders
traffic buildup behind the bus.
understand the policies, procedures, rules and regulations that have been
8. Think safety, teach safety, and act safely. Students, grades K-8 must
established to be sure the experience is a positive one.
3. Students should be waiting in an orderly manner at least ten (10) carry a backpack or carry-all container, which will allow them to
feet away from the road. organize their belongings. There are many accidents nationwide every
MSD of Perry Township takes the responsibility of safely transporting students
year involving children who are pursuing dropped books or papers
very seriously. As you read this pamphlet and become familiar with its content,
4. All students must ride their assigned bus to and from school. Riding under school buses or children who run into traffic.
you will see that the emphasis throughout is on safety. We thank you for allowing
another bus is permitted only in emergency situations. Many buses are
us to serve you and your children by safely transporting them to and from school on
loaded to capacity. Additional students could cause an overloaded 9. Indiana Code (I.C. 35-43-2-2) Entering a school bus without the
a daily basis.
condition on the bus. The purpose is only to provide transportation explicit consent of the school corporation is prohibited.
service from the home to school and return. In an emergency situation, Parents/guardians that have a concern in relation to their child's bus
Tina Tryon
the parent must write or call the school explaining the emergency. If the route, or bus driver, should contact the child's school or transportation
Transportation Director
school approves, the principal/designee will issue a signed permission department with the concern. Bus routes are run on a predetermined
slip to the student who in turn will present it to the school bus driver. time schedule in order to get our students to school and home in a
MSD PERRY TOWNSHIP TRANSPORTATION MISSION timely manner. The route time schedule does not allow time for
STATEMENT
5. Students may only board and disembark the school bus at their meetings to take place at the bus stop.
" Transporting students safely is the priority of the Metropolitan School District of designated stop. Once a student is on board he/she must not disembark
Perry Township Transportation Department." at any location other than his/her designated stop or at the school. There SCHOOL DISTRICT'S POLICY FOR SAFE
are safety and legal reasons for this policy. The school is not TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS
GUIDELINES RELATING TO responsible for a child who disembarks at a location other than his/her
1. Leave home on time each day.
STUDENTS RIDING SCHOOL BUSES stop. In certain situations where arrangements have been made in
2. Walk facing traffic if there are no sidewalks.
writing, by the parents and the school principal, a student may
The State of Indiana does not require schools to provide transportation for students, 3. Arrive at pick-up ten minutes prior to bus arrival.
disembark at a different stop if the stop is within the same bus route.
however, the state will help pay for this service if the school chooses to provide 4. Wait off the roadway, not in the street.
such a service. The Board of Education for the Metropolitan School District of 5. Respect property near bus stop, stay off lawns; avoid horseplay,
6. Once a school bus is in motion on school grounds, students will not
Perry Township has chosen to provide school bus transportation service for its scuffling, stone throwing, snowball throwing, and fighting. Damage
be allowed to board the bus. This is a safety measure designed to
students. Since the service is not mandatory, riding the bus is a privilege and not could result in the discontinuance of bus stop.
discourage students from running after and/or between buses in a
a right. 6. Wait for bus to come to a full stop and follow directions of bus driver.
loading (congested) area. Also, when one bus stops in a line of moving
7. Walk quickly to your seat and stay seated while bus is in motion.
buses, the chances for a chain reaction accident increase considerably.
1. The Transportation Department, at the beginning of the school 8. Keep arms, feet, books, and instruments out of the aisle.
Students who miss their bus should immediately report to the principal's
year, will designate the stops for students. All routes will start 9. Do not open or close windows without permission of the driver. Once
office.
approximately one hour before school begins. Parents/students will permission has been granted, no window is to be lowered below the halfway
receive a post card at the beginning of August designating the time and point at any time.
7. Any traffic in or near bus loading areas is hazardous. All schools
stop location. Changes will be made to the route during the year as 10. Do not stick hands, head or anything out of the windows, or throw
have designated areas for parents to drop off and/or pick up students
necessary. anything out of the bus.
along with designated traffic patterns. Parent and student drivers are
11. Loud yelling or profane language and fighting will not be tolerated.
asked to be careful when driving in these areas and should not drive
2. All students must be at their designated stop ten (10) minutes prior 12. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted on the bus.
around or pass buses that are loading or unloading children. School
to the scheduled arrival time. Bus drivers are not required to stop and
13. Use of a Walkman, CD Player, Cell Phone, MP3, Pager, and/or any METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
other electronic device is not permitted on the bus. Students who find IC 20-9.1-5-19 SCHOOL BUS DISCIPLINE
of
it necessary to transport these items must keep them out of sight in a
When school children are being transported on a school bus, they are under the
book bag, purse, and/or pants pocket at all times. PERRY TOWNSHIP
supervision, direction and control of the school bus driver and subject to the
14. Defacing, littering the bus, or tampering with safety devices will not be
disciplinary measures of the bus driver and the governing body of the school
tolerated.
corporation. TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
15. Treat bus seats and equipment with utmost care as students will be
required to pay for damaged seats or damaged equipment.
16. Band instruments that can be held on a student's lap without taking up
STUDENT BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT PLAN
2008 - 2009
the room of another student or blocking the center aisle may be carried
on the bus. Students in grades 1 through 8 must carry all other The bus driver will use professional judgement when discerning between minor and
items, such as books, papers, or loose objects in a backpack or serious incidents that require disciplinary action.
carry-all container of some sort.
17. Students are required to get off the bus at assigned stops and required to Minor incidents are addressed using a four step Student Behavior Management
ride same bus both morning and afternoon. Plan, adopted by the School Corporation in 2001.
18. After getting off the bus, students should check for oncoming traffic, MSD PERRY TOWNSHIP
looking both ways before crossing streets, then go directly home. The process includes:
19. When necessary for a student to walk in front of the bus, the student is INCIDENT ONE: Verbal warning by the driver
required to stay far enough in front of the vehicle that the driver can INCIDENT TWO: Disciplinary intervention by the driver (ex. assigned seat,
maintain eye contact with the student. writing sentences, parental contact, etc.)
INCIDENT THREE: A letter citing the incidents and interventions is mailed to the
student's parent/guardian.
INCIDENT FOUR: The incident report citing the Four minor incidents is
Tina Tryon, Director of Transportation
forwarded to the school administrator in charge of buses for
NOTE: VIOLATION OF SAID RULES MAY RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF further disciplinary intervention Any incident succeeding
Marc Westfall, Assistant Director of Transportation
TRANSPORTATION PRIVILEGES. IF STUDENT IS SUSPENDED FROM the fourth will also be forwarded to the school administrator.
THE BUS, IT IS THE PARENTS'/GUARDIANS' RESPONSIBILITY TO
PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL. Serious incidents are immediately forwarded to the school administrator on a Gwen English, Transportation Supervisor
Serious Incident Form.
Ramona Fox, Transportation Supervisor
"BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOL, SAFETY REQUIRES
COOPERATIVE EFFORT" SUMMARY Wanda Christy, Rise Transportation Supervisor
In conclusion, these school bus procedures, policies, rules and regulations Transportation Center
are intended to promote the SAFE and efficient use of our school bus 789-6220
transportation services. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the
Rise Transportation Center
Transportation Department at 789-6220.
789-6240
780-4402 Transportation Fax