Special Education Transportation

SPECIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION 7 May 2014

RULES AND REQUIREMENTS

RULES AND REQUIREMENTS

The following policies and procedures are required for students transported by the KingsportCitySchool system’s special services buses. Student conduct on the bus, both to and from school, is a very important consideration for a number of reasons:

1.)safety of all persons being transported;

2.)a positive beginning and ending of the school day; and

3.)good peer relationships.

SCHOOL SYSTEM RESPONSIBILITIES

1.)To provide safe and timely transportation.

2.)To fairly and consistently enforce the rules and requirements.

3.)Inform the parent/guardian of any changes to the student’s transportation needs in a timely manner.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1.)To see that their child is at the assigned bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. If the bus is at your stop on-time or after and your child misses the bus, you will be required to provide transportation for your child, or if you are unable to provide transportation, students may be picked up after the route is complete and the other riders have been dropped off at their school.

2.)Assist with getting their child to and from the bus. Bus drivers are not allowed to get off their bus while children are on board (Parents are not allowed on the bus).

3.)Call the Transportation Office (392-4416) when you know your child is not going to ride. If

necessary, leave a voicemail at least 30 minutes prior to your child’s pick-up time.

4.) To be at home in the afternoonsto receive their child at the scheduled time. Please beat the bus

stop at least 20 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive to allow for fluctuations in the bus

stop schedule.

Caution: Please refrain from smoking near the bus. Our students, faculty and staff should not be exposed to second-hand smoke.

Note: In the event that no one is home at the scheduled time, the child will be returned to his/her school. If this problem occurs on more than two occasions, the Department of Human Services or the Police Department may be notified to assume responsibility/physical custody of the child.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Each student will:

1.) Find a seat quickly and wear your seatbelt properly until the bus comes to your stop. Remove

your backpack and hold it on your lap.

2.) Obey the driver.

3.) Use appropriate language and gestures.

4.) Talk in normal tones.

5.) Eating, drinking or chewing gum is never allowed on the bus.

6.) Keep the bus clean.

7.) Do not tamper with or destroy school property.

8.) Keep head, hands, and feet inside the bus.

9.) Refrain from blocking the aisle with feet or objects.

10.) Do not fight, push, or trip.

11.) Do not distract the driver through misbehavior or unneeded conversation.

12.) Be courteous and treat all occupants of the bus and their possessions with respect.

13.) Do not throw objects in or out of the bus – do not spit on the bus.

14.) Boarding and departing the bus – do not push or crowd other students and stay clear of the bus

until it comes to a halt and the driver opens the doors.

15.) Weapons are not allowed on school property, including school buses.

16.) Any student who does not ride this bus normally must have a signed note from his/her parents

requesting transportation for this bus number. (Authorized by the school)

17.) Any student getting off the bus at other than their normal stop must have a note from his/her

parents. (Authorized by the school)

18.) Observe the same conduct as in the classroom and abide by all other school regulations.

19.) Be at their assigned bus stop at least5 minutes before scheduled pick-up time. The drivers have

beeninstructed to wait no longer than two minutes beyond the scheduled pick-up time for a

studentthat has a disability that does not allow the student to be at the scheduled bus stop 5

minutesbefore pick-up time.

Note: Students must ride consistently to/from his/her assigned bus stop. For example, a student will not be taken to his/her home four days per week and to the home of a babysitter on the fifth day. We must keep the same daily schedule to ensure all parents know the pick-up and delivery times of their children.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

In the event that a student does not follow any of the above rules, thefollowing measures may be taken:

Incident Consequences

1Student Discipline Report to the principal and parent – WARNING (POSSIBLE SUSPENSION).

2Student Discipline Report to the principal and parent – (POSSIBLE SUSPENSION).

3Student Discipline Report to the principal,parent, and recommend IEP meeting to determine further consequencesor consider alternate transportation – (POSSIBLE SUSPENSION).

All components will take place on the day following the incident, where possible. Consequences will be arranged by the student’s classroom teacher and/or the building principal.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES

In accordance with Tennessee and Federal laws special services transportation will be provided only after it has been determined by the student’s M-Team that he/she cannot be transported through the district’s non-handicapped transportation systemor by the parent/guardian. (Documentation of justification must be provided on the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

In order to qualify for services the student must be:

• Identified as eligible for special services.
• Determined unable to use transportation services for non-handicapped students.

Prior to the provisions of special services transportation, the following must occur:

• Determination of eligibility and need for service by the student’s M-Team;
• Completion of the student’s “Student Emergency Information Card” (original to theSupervisor of Transportation (a copy will be given to the driver) – the Transportation Office will have at least two businessdays to arrange transportation after the receipt of this documentation; and
• Documentation of parental and student knowledge of the Transportation Rules and Requirements.

Note: Services will not be provided until these steps have been completed.

KINGSPORT CITY SCHOOLS

TRANSPORTATION RULES AND REGULATIONS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have been informed of and/or read and understand the Kingsport City School System’s “Rules and Requirements” regarding the provision of Special Services transportation. I agree to abide by these provisions and will support their enforcement as stated in the attached document.

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Parent/Guardian Date

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Student Date