Everybody Has A Job In School Bus Safety

Introduction
The transportation for our school district has become very complex and costly. We must revise and update all the bus routes yearly to meet the ever-changing transportation needs of the district and increase our efficiency. Some of the factors that affect overall operations of the transportation system stem from the increasing number of students being transported to an increasing number of schools in the area.

Our goal has always been safety first for the students of Sylvania Schools. Buses are inspected regularly; drivers are trained and retrained; bus stops and routes are reviewed, all to provide the safest and most efficient operation we can provide for your children.

In our community, we are sometimes faced with inclement weather or congested traffic. Both of these situations may affect our schedules. We appreciate your patience and understanding when bus schedules may be temporarily modified.

We also ask your support in the area of bus discipline. The safety of all the children is of primary importance to each of us. Please help your children to ride safely by reviewing their job as a rider noted in this document. It is also important to review the safe bus rules/regulations with your child periodically.

Thank you in advance for your help and support.

Joe Kahl
Director of Transportation

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DELAY/CLOSING HOTLINE: 824-8696

About 22 million children ride to and from school each day in 350,000 buses in this country. Traveling on a school bus is the safest mode of transportation, but it takes everyone of us to help keep it that way - and ensure the safety of every child.

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School Bus Safe-Riding Rules

1. Students shall arrive at their assigned bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
2. Students must wait in their designated place of safety and away from the bus stops.
3. Behavior at the school bus stop and on the bus must not threaten life, limb or property of any individual.
4. Students must go directly to an available or assigned seat (drivers are authorized to assign seats).
5. Students must remain seated keeping aisles and exits clear.
6. Students must not use profane language.
7. Eating and drinking on the bus is prohibited (State Law).
8. The use of tobacco at the bus stop or while on the bus is strictly prohibited
9. Students must must not throw or pass objects on, from or into the bus.
10. Carry-on items are allowable if they fit on students’ lap, on the floor under the seat, or secured in a safe place (oversized musical instruments, i.e., bass drums; tuba’s, etc. cannot be transported on the bus with students).
11. Students must leave or board the bus at locations at which they have been assigned, unless written parental and administrative authorization in writing has been given.
12. Students must not put their head, arms or other body parts out the bus window. Belongings are not to be thrown around the bus or out of the windows.
13. Students may not use the emergency exits unless permission has been given by the bus driver/administrator in charge of the bus.
14. Students must be QUIET at all railroad crossings. No loud or disruptive behavior is permitted.
15. When getting on/off the bus, students who must cross the street or highway are instructed to WAIT until the driver has SIGNALED for them to cross. Students must remain visible to the driver at all times.
16. Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and the door is opened before attempting to get on
    or off the bus.
17. The following are strictly prohibited to be transported on a school bus: pets or other animals, alcoholic beverages, drugs, tobacco, ammunition, explosives, firearms, knives, glass containers or any other dangerous materials or objects. For questions, please call the Transportation Office.
18. The use of cassette recorders, tape recorders, CD and DVD players, radios, or any other electronics or mechanical equipment is prohibited.
19. Cooperate with the driver and keep the bus clean.

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Alternate Transportation Requests

Child Care/Latch Key:
Transportation will be provided for students enrolled in the child care/latch key programs as long as the child care/latch key facility is in the attendance boundary of the home school the student attends. (Established day care/latch key facilities will submit roster lists of student enrollment). Parents must also submit a written release to the Transportation Office giving permission to transport their child to/from an area other than their place of residence.

After-School Non-Related Activities:
Students will not be transported to any outside after-school activity, other than child care/latch key/baby sitter programs; school-sponsored trips, etc. Examples of after-school non-related activities include: gymnastics, swimming lessons, Girl/Boy Scouts, work places (other than established work programs through the schools), music lessons, religion classes.

Open Enrollment:
Transportation will be provided for open enrollment students as long as it has been determined there is room on the bus. Students must come to an established stop on the route to be picked up. Approval from the Transportation Department must be completed before students will be permitted to ride. Permission will be granted on a temporary basis, i.e. depending on size of load and seat availability.

Other Transportation Requests:
Parents requesting a change in their child’s transportation assignment on a short term basis must submit the request in writing to the office or contact the Transportation Office directly. Requests will be honored if it is determined there is room on the bus and written request is received in a reasonable time period. In the event of an emergency, a phone call to the Transportation Office will be accepted.

Stops/Additional Stops Requests/Special Routing:
Requests to add stops to routes will be taken under consideration, however, the majority of routes will remain as written. The entering of buses into cul-de-sacs; courts and lanes will occur only if those areas are long enough to permit buses to circle around the end of the area. Buses are not permitted to backup into driveways or immediate area to exit. Buses will be permitted to make home pick ups (stopping at driveway entrances) for special needs students, kindergarten students (mid-day, only); and students living on roads deemed unsafe or hazardous, with no sidewalks or areas making it impossible to create stops other than “home pick ups."

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Transportation Office
Joe Kahlr, Director
7400 Cougar Lane
Sylvania, Ohio 43560

Phone: 419-824-8686
Fax: 419-824-8789

Delays/Closings: 419-824-8696