Transportation

Transportation safety is the most important component of a successful bussing operation.  Adherence to reasonable rules and regulations is vital to achieving this goal.

In past years, parent requests for transportation outside of these guidelines have been honored. However, in doing so, problems have occurred and potential dangers have escalated. Therefore, at this time, it is imperative that requests outside of these guidelines must cease. Our primary goal will focus on consistency and safety in transportation.

In an effort to do our part with society and within our community, we may be changing some stops and bus runs. Students may now be required to walk a bit, where they had not been required previously.

The following are the rules and regulations designed for the purpose of maximizing the safety of the students and drivers.

Student Discipline – Responsibility

1. The safe operation of the bus is the responsibility of the bus driver. He/she is fully responsible for all riders. The driver may assign seats and has, and students must consider the bus as the extension of the classroom.
2. Discipline on the school bus is the combined effort of students, parents, administrators, and bus drivers.
3. Pupils are to conduct themselves in such a manner not to distract the bus driver from his or her driving responsibilities.
4. Administration of the bus discipline code is the responsibility of the principals. Sanctions may be imposed on students for improper conduct.
5. Bus drivers shall take immediate action in the case of an emergency – notifying the school, their supervisor, police and/or ambulance.

Student Discipline – Specific Procedures

1. Violation of bus safety or misbehavior of students shall be noted in writing by the driver and given to the proper school official as soon as there is an infraction.
2. Students are under the same obligation as they are in the classroom – to obey and follow the rules and regulations.
3. Students are not permitted to use profane language or make socially unacceptable comments.
4. Students are not permitted to eat or drink on the bus.
5. Students must cooperate with reasonable requests made by the bus driver.
6. Possessing and/or using tobacco products or controlled substances is prohibited.
7. Students should remain sitting in their seats at all times, keeping their heads, hands and feet inside the bus.
8. Students will not be permitted to leave the bus before arriving to school or to disembark at stops other than those assigned by the school.
9. Parent requests for students to ride other buses other than those assigned must be submitted in writing and have prior approval. Please see guidelines for Alternate Bus Stops.

Equipment/Storage of Materials

1. Aisles of the school bus are to be totally clear of obstacles to provide for safe loading and unloading of passengers.
2. Oversized articles, boxes, equipment, instruments, etc., are not permitted on the bus as they interfere with the safety of the other students. It is the responsibility of the parents to transport large items. The following will never be permitted on school buses:  animals, weapons, hazardous material, plants, large/dangerous articles, glass containers.
3. The school bus driver has the immediate authority to screen unsafe items on the school bus and, consequently, guard the safety of the students.

Non-Public Students

The School District will provide transportation to all resident school students who attend a non-public school which is not operated for profit and which is located within the District boundaries or not exceeding ten miles by the nearest public highway outside of the District boundary.

All non-public school students who utilize transportation provided by Hamburg Area School District are required to follow the policies set forth in this document. Because of the nature of these bus runs, schedules can vary.

Activity Buses

All students who utilize the Activity Buses provided by Hamburg Area School District are required to follow the policies set forth in this document.

Bus stops on activity runs will be determined solely by the school district and will be pre-approved.

Hazardous Walking Route

Transportation shall be provided on hazardous roads, and no student will be required to walk along a highway where the road or traffic conditions are such, that walking on the shoulder of the road constitutes a hazard to the student, when such route has been “certified” hazardous by the Bureau of Traffic Safety. Concerns regarding hazardous walking routes must be in writing and sent to the attention of the Transportation Coordinator.

Emergency Early Dismissals

In the event of an unscheduled early dismissal, alternate arrangements will be granted under the following conditions:

1. Advance written request was submitted.
2. The affected bus is not at capacity.
3. Bus stops and routes will not be altered.

Students’ Walking Distance to Existing Bus Stops

School students can legally be required to walk up to 1.5 miles to their bus stops.  Driveways and other non-public roadways will not be included in distance computation.

Alternate Bus Stop Guidelines

1. All students will be assigned a bus stop from their home.
2. A student may have ONE alternate bus stop. In the event there is dual custody, the second home stop will be considered the one alternate stop.
3. An alternate stop will only be considered if it is in writing and on the appropriate form located on the Hamburg Area School District website, under forms and publications. The form is called “Request for Alternate Transportation”.  The form may also be obtained from either elementary school office.
4. Alternate stops MUST be located in the same attendance area as the child.

Guidelines for Alternate Transportation:

• Must be in writing. Telephone calls will not be accepted.
• There will only be one alternate.
• It can not be an alternating schedule. It must be set and not changing.
• Requests to change a stop for a single day or requests to vary from the established stops will not be permitted unless it is an emergency. When such requests from a parent or guardian become frequent, the parent or guardian will be notified that future requests will be denied.
• The requested change could take two (2) school days to take effect once the request has been received in the Transportation Coordinator’s Office.  Please submit in writing two (2) school days prior to the effective date.
• An alternate stop must be along an existing route and an existing bus stop.
• Requests that have been submitted two (2) weeks prior to the start of school will be honored the first day of school. Requests after that date will not be effective until two (2) weeks after the start of school.
• Requests will not be honored for social activities (individual lessons, scouts, and sleepovers) or employment.

It is Hamburg Area School District’s policy to provide transportation for educational purposes only. When approving alternate stops, the safety of our students is our priority.  All Policies, Procedures and Pennsylvania Transportation Laws will be followed. Alternate stops will not be approved if there is a problem with overcrowding on the bus.

Unless there is prior notice in writing, please pick your children up at the bus stop and not at the school when buses are on grounds.