Home-to-Home Transportation / Student Transportation / Statement of Service (AB1297)

The Pioneer Union Elementary School District provides transportation in compliance with the provisions of state law and regulations and in school buses as defined in Educational Code Section 39830. School bus transportation is a privilege and students are expected to be responsible riders. Parents are important partners in their child’s home to school and school to home transportation.

The Governing Board provides transportation for eligible students in accordance with Board policy, administrative regulations, and state federal regulations and law. Transportation service shall depend upon student needs and continuing assessment of financial resources, including district funds and reimbursements.

All transportation of students to and from school, on study trips, student activity trips, or any other group activity under the control of the district shall be in school buses as defined in the Education Code Section 39830. Such buses may be publicly or privately owned, but must be service and maintained as required by the Vehicle code and regulation of the California Highway Patrol. When the group or activity has a small number of students (7 or less); a district vehicle may be used in lieu of a bus to save on fuel costs.

School buses shall be used only to transport pupils to and from school, and for other school activities that have the approval of the board and are permitted by law. Variation from this policy requires specific approval by the Board.

The Superintendent/designee will prepare administrative procedures to:

  1. Provide maximum safety for all riders and drivers.
  2. Enrich the learning experiences of all the students.
  3. Assist handicapped and special needs drivers appropriately.
  4. Communicate rules of conduct to riders and parents.
  5. Identify requirements and responsibilities of drivers.
  6. Establish, review, and revise bus schedules, bus stops, and walking distances.

Alternative transportation/Parent transportation in lieu

Individual children may be transported to and from school or part way by their parents under the provisions of Education Code 39830, and student may be transported home in vehicles owned by members of the staff under emergency conditions or upon approval of the site administrator.

Walking distance/Transportation boundary line

No stops for K-5 students will be closer to the school than < 1 (one) mile. The exception to this will be for those students in the Silver Oaks subdivision (who may live farther than one mile) who attend Frontier Elementary School. A walking path and crosswalk are in place for these students to travel safely to school.

No stops for the 6-8 students will be closer to the school than < 2 (two) miles. Distances are measured as radii from the portion of the school grounds nearest the residence. Students living west of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroad tracks will receive bus service.

Exceptions may be made due to safety precautions. Appeals may be brought to the transportation supervisor and will be checked by the Superintendent and the California Highway Patrol school bus safety officer.

Routes and Schedules

It shall be the policy of the governing board to provide transportation service to eligible students in such a way that the greatest number of students may also be served adequately and safely with the limits of reasonableness and with regard to, among other, the following:

  1. Distance of students from school.
  2. Types of roadways and walkways.
  3. Amount of traffic.
  4. Length of routes in miles.
  5. Length of routes in time.
  6. Unusual hazards or physical conditions.
  7. Operating with a minimum number of stops required to maintain efficiency but always considering the safety of students in stop selection.
  8. Sizes and number of buses.
  9. Availability of adequate funding.
  1. Students will be required to board and leave buses only at their assigned bus stops, except in emergencies. In order that the transportation system may flow smoothly and efficiently, it is necessary that all route changes be handled through the transportation office. The district is only responsible for transportation which is home to school and school to home for eligible students. Parents needing a special stop (which will become their permanent stop) must directly contact the TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT for approval. These requests will be monitored very carefully. Please note these requests must be limited as buses are loaded to capacity and the extra student(s) cannot overload the bus ridership.
  2. Students will not be allowed to “Bus Stop Shop” as this impacts all students with regards to overloading, number of students at bus stops, etc. Parent cooperation is both expected and appreciated.
  3. It is the Transportation Department’s responsibility to keep the office informed about route or stop changes as they occur.
  4. Each school year, routes may be subject to change and stops added or deleted depending on ridership and routing needs. Parents will be notified if any changes impact them.
  5. Responsibility of the driver is to see that route sheet information is accurate for when substitutions occur. This will ensure that the routes are run correctly at all times.

At any time, regular routes or special trips may be cancelled or modified because of unsafe conditions or due to scheduling conflicts or unavailability of buses ( i.e. For field trips, special events and sports).

Inclement weather/Policy for foggy day schedules

The foggy day schedule is as follows:

Plan A Buses are delayed 1 ½ hours.

Plan B Buses are delayed 2 ½ hours.

Plan C Buses are cancelled.

Plan D School Cancelled due to severe fog or other weather conditions.

You are encouraged to call the school to hear a recorded message regarding the foggy day schedule.

Because some areas are clear of fog while other areas are foggy, for safety’s sake please delay bringing your child to school if heavy fog persists in your area.

Please be sure to look or listen for information regarding Pioneer Union Elementary School District for all school sites: Pioneer Elementary, Frontier Elementary and Pioneer Middle School are all included in the information.

Rules and regulations for school bus safety

The school bus is literally a Classroom on Wheels. Riding the school bus is a privilege that will be revoked if the student fails to cooperate or behave on the bus, both to and from school. Student discipline is consistent with the discipline and expectations for behavior at school. In order to ensure the safety of all of our bus riders, the following rules and regulations must be followed:

  1. Students must arrive at bus stop 5 minutes before scheduled bus arrival—this is because everyone’s clock may be a bit different—to ensure not missing the bus or impeding the driver’s schedule; please be at your designated stop 5 minutes before the scheduled bus time.
  2. School student dress code rules apply on the bus. Students out of dress code may not be permitted to ride the bus. This includes no wearing of hats while on the bus.
  3. No electronic devices may be on or used on the bus. The distraction to the driver and other students is a real safety issue. Students needing to use a cell phone to call home (on field trips only) will need to use it prior to boarding or wait until they are at their destination.
  4. Students must stand in a straight line and wait quietly for the bus demonstrating respect for both school and private property.
  5. Enter the bus in an orderly manner and sit in a seat.
  6. Follow the instructions and directions of the driver who is the person in authority. The priority of the driver is to make sure students arrive to school and home safely!
  7. Stay seated until it is time to leave the bus-absolutely NO STANDING.
  8. Be courteous to the driver and to fellow passengers—Character Counts!
  9. There should be no noise or behavior that will distract the driver’s attention from driving. This means no loud talking, laughing, yelling, singing, or whistling.
  10. No part of the body, hands, arms or head should be put out of the window.
  11. Nothing should ever be thrown from the bus.
  12. Riders shall help keep the bus and the area around the bus stop clean and show respect for the property of others. We often have many students at one stop and respect for property is important.
  13. No animals or insects will be allowed on the bus.
  14. No toys, sporting equipment (unless in a sport bag for games, etc.) will be allowed on the bus.
  15. Be alert for traffic when leaving or boarding the bus.
  16. Riders may not get off the bus at any other than their designated stop without a written request from his/her parent or guardian and bus pass from the school office.
  17. Riders shall leave the bus a row at a time and the remainder of the students waiting their turn shall stay in their seat.

THESE RULES ARE INTENDED TO ASSIST AND PROTECT CHILDREN FROM INJURY. YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

Students who violate the bus regulations will be given behavior documentation and may lose the right to ride the bus for specific periods of time depending on the severity and number of violations. Students who violate the bus rules and regulations may also lose school activity privileges. Each school year, the students will receive training and information on the above rules and expectations at their respective schools.

Loading, Unloading, and Student Crossovers

Loading

  1. Never run to the bus.
  2. Pupils should face approaching bus in single file.
  3. Stand back at least 6 feet from curb.
  4. Walk; don’t push or shove.

Unloading

  1. Remain seated until bus is completely stopped.
  2. Wait until driver says to get off the bus.
  3. Walk off the bus. Don’t push or shove.
  4. Never cross behind the bus or go under the bus.
  5. Don’t touch the bus or hang around. Go straight home.
  6. Leave bus a row at a time and remainder waiting their turn shall stay in their seats.
  7. Students in grades K-1 must be met at the afternoon bus stop by parent, guardian or child care provider. Students not met will be taken back to the school site to be picked up by their parent or guardian. Exceptions to this procedure must be requested in writing each school year by the custodial parent or guardian.

Student Escorted Cross Over Stops

  1. Remain seated until bus is completely stopped.
  2. Wait until driver says to get off the bus.
  3. Walk off the bus. Don’t push or shove.
  4. Stay on the sidewalk right next to the front door of the bus
  5. Wait until the driver verbally tells you that it is all right to cross the street.
  6. Walk across the street between the front of the bus and the bus driver as quickly as possible.
  7. Do not wait on the other side of the street; go straight home.
  8. Parents are requested to not call their children across the street. Wait for the bus driver to follow procedures for your child’s safety.

Board at School or Special Trip

  1. Check in with person in charge (Teacher, Coach, Yard Supervisor)
  2. Pupils should be in line at least 6 feet from the bus.
  3. Walk; don’t run, to the bus when the driver says it is OK to board.
  4. Find a seat and stay seated. Obey bus driver’s instructions.

Exiting at School or Special Trip

  1. Person in charge (Teacher, Coach, or Supervisor) gets off first if on a school activity trip.
  2. Wait for the driver’s instruction and walk off the bus always being aware of traffic.
  3. Go to playground or class if at school.
  4. If on a school activity trip, go where person in charge directs you to go.

School Bus Evacuation Training Procedures

At least once each school year, all pupils shall receive safety instructions on bus evacuation, which includes, but is not limited to, proper loading and unloading procedures, including escorting by the driver, proper passenger conduct, bus evacuation, and location of emergency equipment.

The following information shall be documented each time safety instruction is given:

  1. Name and location of school district
  2. Date of instruction
  3. Names of supervision adults
  4. Names of and grade levels of pupils participating.
  5. Subjects covered in instruction
  6. Amount of time taken

Prior to departure on a school activity trip, all pupils shall receive safety instruction, which includes, but is not limited to location of emergency exits, and location and use of emergency equipment. Education Code 39831.5

Use of Red Crossover Lights by the Driver

When routing and planning bus stops each year, the district works diligently to have few stops where students have to cross the street upon disembarking. In the instances that this is not possible, the driver must get out of the bus and supervise students crossing the street. Again, this is another reason why we are requesting students and parents to use their assigned stops.

Additionally, State law AB 1297 requires the activation of red-cross over lights at any bus stop while students load or unload the school bus. Traffic is required to stop at these lights to ensure student and driver safety.