2016- 2017

PARENT & STUDENT

GUIDE TO TRANSPORTATION

An integral part of the educational process is getting children

to and from school safely. The safety of children going to and

from school, whether by private vehicle or by bus, is a responsibility

shared by many people.

This handbook will explain the roles of the various people

involved in student transportation. Parents/guardians are

asked to review the contents of this booklet and to work with

their children so they will understand their responsibilities.

Contact Morgan County Schools’ Office of

Transportation at (304) 258-2430 Ext. 53 or 54, with specific questions

relating to student transportation, or consult the following web

site:

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Facts to Know

Eligibility

Guided by WV State Policy 4336

1. The Office of Transportation shall be organized to provide

school transportation service for eligible students based on

safety, efficiency, adequacy, and economy.

2. School bus transportation is provided under the jurisdiction

of the state. Designated stops have been established for students who live

more than two (2) miles from the school in their district.

It is against the law for motorists to pass a school bus that has its red lights on. Please be patient and courteous to our buses, they hold our future.

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Parent’s Roles in Transportation

1. Parents shall provide supervision at all bus stops until the

bus arrives for both pickup and delivery.

2. Parents & students will arrive at the bus stop five (5) minutes

Before the bus arrives in the morning and in the afternoon.

3. Students who are in grades Pre-K – 3rd grade must have an adult

at the stop to get them on and off the bus daily.

4. Students in grades K-3 who are not met at the bus stop will

be taken back to their school if the bus arrives before 4:00 p.m.

at the school. Please contact your school if your child does not

get off at the bus stop or if you have missed the buses arrival.

5. Students in grades K-3 who are not met at the bus stop will

be taken to the Bus Garage located at 2 Myers Road if the bus

arrives after 4:00 p.m. If they arrive prior to 4 p.m. by bus, the school will have

them waiting for you. Please check with the school, then the Bus Garage.

6. Failure to meet your child’s bus more than three (3) times will

require in temporary removal of your child from afternoon bus

transportation services until a meeting between parents and

school officials in order to work out a safety plan for your

child’s transportation.

7. The After School Activity, Summer School and Energy Express buses

have limited stops. Students of ANY AGE must be met by parents or

their designees. Please arrive at these designated stops at least five

(5) minutes prior to the buses arrival times.

8. Parents, guardians, members of the public who are not affiliated with

Morgan County Schools and who are not a Board Approved Chaperone

currently on a field trip may not board Morgan County School buses

9. Parents shall provide written guidance regarding any special care

a studentmay need while riding the bus. This note must be given to the bus

operator, the school, and a copy kept on file in the Transportation Dept.

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Facts to Know

Transporting Students with Disabilities

Guided by WV State Policy 4336

Parents/guardians of students with disabilities requiring a special equipped bus shall:

  1. Provide documentation on the special care need.
  1. Bring the child to the bus stop and provide necessary

supervision.

  1. Pick up the student at the designated time at the

designatedbus stop. Please arrive five (5) minutes before

arrival of the bus every day.

  1. Contact the bus operator if the child is to be absent.

Please ask the aides on special equipped buses for their

Morgan County cell phone number so that you may give

them this information.

*Please note: Morgan County Schools may terminate bus transportation services if the parent continues to fail to meet the bus at the designated stop. For these situations, due process procedures shall be made available to parents and students.

Parents/guardians, the Office of Special Education,

and/or the IEP Chairperson may request that a

representative from the Office of Transportation attend

the IEP meeting to address transportation concerns.

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Student’s Roles in Transportation

(As well as parents/adults supervising bus stops prior to boarding the bus)

  1. Students shall walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.
  2. Students shall wait on the bus at the designated stop in an orderly manner.
  3. Students shall cross the road (if applicable) and board the bus when the bus driver gives them a signal to do so.
  4. Students shall wait at least five (5) feet back from the stopping bus position.
  5. Students shall wait until the bus stops completely and has its red flashing lights on before moving toward it.
  6. Students shall follow the bus operator and/or aides instructions at all times.
  7. Students shall follow the rules outlined in WV State Transportation Policy (4336) and WV State Discipline Policy (4373).
  8. Students shall be responsible for vandalism that occurs on a seat in which they ride. This includes but is not limited to paying to repair/replace the seat.
  9. Students shall not eat, drink, or place objects in their mouth that may cause a choking hazard while on the bus except for medically necessary foods or medications (as outlined in WV Policy 2422.8). Students may not smoke on the bus or at designated bus stops.
  10. Students shall not bring weapons of any kind on the bus or on Morgan County Schools buildings or grounds.
  11. The aisle of the bus must be kept clear so that the rear emergency exit is accessible at all times.
  12. Students shall keep all items in their book bags or purses at all times.

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  1. Students shall not wear loose clothing that might get hung up on the handrail or in the bus door.
  1. Students shall have a bus note prior to riding another bus to a location that is not their regular designated stop.
  2. Once off the bus, students should proceed immediately away from the bus. Do not walk beside or behind the bus at any time.

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Bus Rules

Stay seated and face forward at all times

No eating or drinking

Book bags are to stay closed at all times with all of your items closed in your book bag or purse

Use an inside voice and do not use vulgar language

Keep the aisle clear

Keep all body parts inside the bus

*Bus drivers may have more specific rules on their bus depending upon their driving style and the noise levels they may need to drive the bus safely.

Remember to follow directions the first time they are given to you. Do not distract the bus driver from driving the bus.

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Driver’s Roles in Transportation

The school bus driver is the person most directly involved in getting students safely to and from school each day. Due to the safety-sensitive nature of transporting students, school bus drivers must acquire and maintain certain federal, state and local requirements.

On a daily basis the driver is required to:

  • Perform a pre-trip and post-trip inspection of the school bus.
  • Operate the school bus and follow the designated route.
  • Pick up children on time, traffic flow permitting.
  • Practice defensive driving.
  • Maintain an orderly, safe and positive atmosphere in the bus.
  • Load and unload students safely.

With many traffic demands placed upon the driver, it is important that students obey safe riding rules.

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Emergency Transportation Plans

Winter road conditions, high water, roadblock due to an accident, disabled bus, etc. can cause your child’s plans to change when en route to and from school.

Have a plan:

Families need to have a plan for their children when conditions occur that alter a bus route or change the time of a bus route. If the bus could not get your child back, where could he or she go? Develop an alternate plan. Your child(ren)’s school will send home a detailed paper at the beginning of the year or upon your enrollment asking you to outline a plan. Please return this paper quickly to your child’s school and update it when your child’s plans change.

Winter Road Conditions

School Cancellation

Winter weather may bring conditions that require school to cancel. Factors considered when making a decision to close school are:

  • Existing conditions and weather forecasts
  • Local information on road conditions
  • Assessment of road conditions
  • Accessibility to school buildings and parking lots
  • Amount of snow/ice on back roads

In some cases, road conditions may be such that a bus may be prevented from running the roads or some back roads. If this happens, the bus may be canceled or the route may be altered until conditions improve. Stay tuned to Morgan County School Messenger for a phone call (if you are signed up for this service offered by MCS) and the local radio station and media for information about school closings. You can also visit the West Virginia Department of Education School Closings site at:

Early Dismissal

A severe storm could develop during the school day, which would require early dismissal. A School Messenger call will be delivered to your phone unless you have opted out of receiving phone calls. Please check with your child’s school if you need to check or update your School Messenger phone number. Any inclement weather may result in delays in getting students back home. Please allow for extra time. If you have concerns while your child is in transit, please contact your child’s school or the Office of Transportation.

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High Water

In the event of several inches of rain, some roads and bridges may become impassable. All attempts will be made to get your child back home. However, we will not cross high water over low-water bridges. As in winter weather, the driver or school will contact the student and parents when he/she cannot cross low-water bridges.

Roadblock

A highway accident may occur that would block a roadway and prevent a bus from proceeding on the normal route or prevent them from following a normal schedule. A bus may have to backtrack or take an alternate route. Please feel free to contact your child’s school or the Office of Transportation to check on bus delays in excess of 15 minutes past their regularly scheduled stop time.

Accident/Disabled Bus

In case of a disabled bus or a bus accident, the driver will check on the safety of the students, then immediately inform the Office of Transportation who will contact any appropriate first responders. School officials will report to the scene to assist as well. After obtaining names of students on the bus and assessing the situation, parents will be notified. We will work as quickly as we can to get students home safely if a bus is disabled or in an accident. If the bus is in an accident, First Responders and Morgan County Schools will work together to assess the need for students to be released to parents or to a medical facility.

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Out of School District Transfers

In order for your child to attend school in a school district outside of the district where you live, an Out of Attendance Area form is required.

Once you have filled out your form, you will receive approval or denial.

Please be aware that:

  1. You must request this transfer annually.
  2. Your child will have to return to the school in your home district if the enrollment at the new school exceeds the maximum class size limit. This process will be on a first come, first served basis.
  3. Transportation will be provided as long as enough space exists on the bus that would transport your child to the new school.
  4. You must provide your own transportation if there are no designated stops and bus routes that allow your child to get to the new school.

For questions about this form, please call the Attendance Director at (304) 258-2430 or contact the Transportation Office at (304) 258-2430 Ext. 53. Forms are also available in schools and at the Board of Education office.

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Video Camera Procedures

  • Buses are equipped with video technology and will display a notice indicating students may be videotaped.
  • The installation and removal of all videotapes or digital date from the video unit is the responsibility of the Office of Transportation.
  • Video equipment is activated when the bus engine is turned on and deactivated when the bus engine is turned off. Bus drivers do not have the ability to activate or deactivate the video equipment.
  • To maintain student confidentiality, videotapes and data files are viewed only on an as needed basis only by appropriate administrators or your child’s bus operator. They are treated as confidential student records. Therefore, parents and other members of the public are not allowed to view them to maintain confidentiality of the other students riding the bus.
  • Students who are enrolled on all Morgan County buses will be videotaped only for the purpose of safety and discipline related matters.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. My child is new to the school system. What do I do to get them on a bus? First, enroll your child in Morgan County Schools. Once they are enrolled, the staff in the school office can assist you. They may be able help you or may call our office for assistance. You may call us as well.
  2. I am not sure which school district my child should be in? Schools are able to assist with this question in most cases. You may call our office to get the answer to your districting question as well.
  3. My child rides more than one bus during the week. What should I do and who should I tell? Tell your child’s school. It is the responsibility of the teacher and the school to board your student on the bus. If it is a short term change, write a note to your child’s school. The school will then issue a bus note to your child. This note is presented to the bus driver with the physical address of where your child is going, the person’s name and phone number who will take responsibility for your child at this address, and emergency phone numbers. This bus note needs completely filled out so that we are able to transport the child correctly.
  4. How long should I wait if I know my child needs a bus change or will be changing buses? You should let your child’s school know of any bus changes as soon as possible so that all of our employees have time to communicate and make the transition as smooth as possible for your child. It is okay to phone the school the same day if your child’s transportation plans change while they are at school. Please call them as soon as possible during the day so that they have time to make the change happen smoothly. For bus changes if you are moving, please call the Transportation Department and give us as much time as possible to make the change. We may have to create a new stop and this takes time. It cannot be done the same day. Although we try to accommodate you, it can often take a couple of days to make bus changes.

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Who We Are and How to Contact Us

The Morgan County Schools Transportation Department

Joyce White, Transportation Director

2 Myers Road

Berkeley Springs, WV 25411

(304) 258-2430 Ext. 53

Tammy Painter, Bus Supervisor

2 Myers Road

Berkeley Springs, WV 25411

(304) 258-2430 Ext. 54

Operating Hours:

5:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

After School Activity Bus Hours: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Bus Operators may be reached at our office if they have not provided you another way to reach them. We will deliver messages to them for you.

Please try both extensions if you are trying to reach us. If you do not reach us, leave a message with your name and number. We will return your phone call.

Additional Helpful Phone Numbers:

Morgan County Board of Education

(304) 258-2430 Ext. 0

Our Schools:

Widmyer Elementary School (304) 258-2024

Warm Springs Intermediate School (304) 258-0031

Warm Springs Middle School (304) 258-1500

Berkeley Springs High School (304) 258-2871

Paw Paw Schools (304) 947-7425

Pleasant View Elementary School (304) 258-2606

Greenwood Elementary School (304) 258-2372

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All students enrolled on Morgan County buses MUST fill out a Bus Enrollment Form and a signed agreement to follow Bus Rules. Please see the following pages for copies of these forms. They will also be provided by your child’s bus operator.

Morgan County Schools

Bus Enrollment Form

Student’s Legal Name______Grade_____Birthdate______

Physical (911) Address______City______State______Zip______

Detailed Directions to your home______

______

Father’s Name______Mother’s Name______

Home Phone______Home Phone______

Cell Phone______Cell Phone ______

Emergency Contact______Emergency Contact______

Emergency Phone______Emergency Phone______

Student’s School______Homeroom Teacher______