Transportation Services

Bus Schedules (sent out in August)
Safety Training K-10
Reserved Seating K-9
Rider Transfers K-12 (pre-approved only)
Going to the Bus Stop
Waiting at the Bus Stop
Boarding the Bus
Riding the Bus
Discipline Codes

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The Edina Public School District is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable riding experience for its bus riders. Enclosed is the school district's Rider Responsibilities as established by our Transportation Safety Advisory Committee. Please review this information and discuss it with your child(ren). This information is being provided so that your child(ren) will clearly understand the bus behavior expectations. Riding the school bus is a privilege that can be revoked if a student chooses not to comply with the general expectations.

Bus Schedules

You will receive your child(ren)'s bus schedule in August. In the event there is a question about the bus route, please contact the Transportation Department between the hours of 7:30 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. Calls before or after these times will be referred to voice mail for further instructions. In the event a route change is requested that may impact other riders, you will be asked to complete the Bus Route Request Form. The Transportation Safety Advisory Committee reviews all requests during their monthly meeting to make appropriate changes. These forms are available by calling your school office.

Safety Training - Grades K-10

All students K-10 will receive school bus safety training and testing this fall in compliance with Minnesota State Law. The training and testing will be completed in your child(ren)'s classroom within the first three weeks of school for K-3 grades and within the first six weeks for students in Grades 4-10.

In addition, many schools have established a number of ongoing bus safety education sessions throughout the school year.

Reserved Seating - Grades K-9

During the Fall of 1996 the Transportation Department implemented the Efficiency Reserved Seating (ERS) program. We feel the program was successful and will be continuing this program. During the first two to three weeks of school, students may select their own seating. Students will then be asked for their preferred reserved seat, the bus driver will create a seating chart, and reserved seating will begin. The driver will have the final determination of seat assignments and may make changes as necessary. ERs will allow faster loading and unloading of students and eliminate seat shopping. In addition, the bus driver will be able to quickly learn students names and the seating chart will also assist substitute bus drivers. We encourage students to work together with the bus driver to resolve any issues with their reserved seat assignment. Questions regarding ERs should be referred to the Transportation Department.

Rider Transfers - Grades K-12

Due to the higher ridership on most buses, the Transportation Department will be continuing the policy it implemented last year of not allowing rider transfers--students who are not regularly scheduled to ride that bus. The Transportation Safety Advisory Committee has made this recommendation for the safety of each student and to ensure that each student has a seat on the bus. Most Edina school buses will be full. State law mandates that ridership on a bus not exceed its capacity. In order to assure that all students have a seat on the bus, it was necessary to eliminate the permission slip system that has permitted students to freely ride other buses. The primary objective is to prevent social activity rider transfers. This means that students will not be permitted to ride another bus unless it is necessary for purposes that have been preapproved by the Supervisor of Transportation, (i.e. child care needs or music lessons). Our goal is to provide a safe and effective transportation service, not to complicate transportation situations for parents and students.

Our Transportation Safety Advisory Committee comprised of parents, administrators, bus drivers and transportation personnel meet monthly to review safety concerns and assist with the development of policy recommendations and procedures for the Transportation Department. General concerns, suggestions, and opinions from parents can be made to your individual school parent representative on this committee. Specific inquiries should be directed to the Transportation Department.

The goal is to provide safe and enjoyable transportation for our students. This occurs when we work in cooperation with students parents, teachers, and our drivers. We encourage you to review the enclosed Rider Responsibilities with your child before the school year begins.

Your support is greatly appreciated. We wish your child the very best in this school year.

Sincerely,

Jay Willemssen, Director of Business Services, 952-848-4004
David White, Supervisor of Transportation Services, 952-848-4979

Going to the Bus Stop

• Use sidewalks where provided
• If there are no sidewalks, walk on left shoulder of the street or roadway facing traffic, single file or no more than two abreast
• Cross streets at corners
• Use a direct route, but avoid crossing yards or empty lots to get to the bus stop or school
• Arrive no more than 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to stop
• Be aware of suspicious individuals (young, old, female, male) on foot or in motor vehicles
• Report such persons to your bus driver or school principal

Even if you miss your bus, do not accept rides from strangers!

Waiting at the Bus Stop

• Wait away from the traffic
• Stay at least five feet off the road or street
• Respect the property around the bus stop (do not pick flowers or shrubs, throw stones, snowballs, litter etc.)
• Use appropriate language at all times
• Respect other students by not pushing, shoving, or fighting
• Stay back until the bus is actually stopped. A push at the middle or end of the line can send the front person into the bus or under its wheels!
• Older students can be helpful to younger ones

Boarding the Bus

• Wait until the bus has stopped and the door is opened before starting to board
• Board the bus single file
• Continue to show respect for others
• Use the hand rail to keep from slipping, falling, or tripping
• Greet the driver!
• Move directly to your seat and sit down
• Put large items (musical instrument, packages, etc.) in seat area or under the seat, but not in the aisle

Riding the Bus

• Follow the driver's instructions
• Remain in your seat until the bus arrives at your stop
• Speak in a quiet voice (your voice should not be heard above others)
• Keep hands, feet, and objects inside the bus
• Do not throw objects inside the bus or out the window
• Do not use profanity (including words or gestures)
• Do not tease or harass others!
• Do not spit
• Do not eat, drink, or chew gum
• Do not vandalize the bus

Consequences for Students Who Choose Not to Behave...

K-12 Students will be given:

• An assertive warning
• An assigned seat, if necessary

Drivers will:

• Write appropriate conduct reports (a copy of the conduct report will be given to the principal, student and parent).

First Offense

Warning by bus driver or principal. School Bus Incident Report is distributed, signed by parent, and three copies are returned to school.

Second Offense

Consultation with involved parties. Rider may be lose riding privileges for 3-5 days or until a satisfactory resolution can be achieved among parent/guardian(s), driver, rider, and principal. School Bus Incident Report is distributed, signed by parent, and three copies returned to school.

Third Offense

Consultation with involved parties. Rider may lose riding privileges for up to 10 days or until a satisfactory resolution can be achieved among parent/guardian(s), driver, rider, and princpial. School Bus Incident Report distributed. Edina Public Schools District Office informed of discipline.

Note: Student endangering persons and/or property may lose bus riding privileges immediately and for an indefinite period of time. In addition, students may be administered consequences consistent with school discipline procedures.

Severe behavior moves immediately to step 2, 3, or 4 at the administrator's discretion, based on the severity of the action and/or previous bus violations.

Students not having lost their riding privileges for the remainder of the school year, but having received conduct slips, will be given a fresh start on February 1.

Behavior Examples

These are examples of behaviors that may cause a student to lose bus riding privileges.

• Spitting
• Hanging out of window
• Throwing/shooting of any object
• Fighting
• Using tobacco or any controlled substance
• Swearing/obscene gestures, verbal abuse, harassment, or posession of unacceptable material
• Vandalizing bus; students will be required to make restitution
• Holding onto/or attempting to hold onto any portion of the exterior of the bus
• Lighting of matches, fireworks, or any flammable object or substance
• Unauthorized entering or leaving the bus through emergency door/tampering with bus equipment
• Possessing a recreational or toy gun (i.e. squirt guns, plastic guns, etc.) and/or projectile weapons
• Other offenses as reported by driver or principal