Transportation
Office Phone: 858-2150
Bus Safety tips for Kindergarten
Students & Parents
 This
fall your child will be embarking on one of the greatest
adventures in his or her young life: starting school.
The school bus ride is very much a part of the learning
experience and what happens on the bus ride sets the tone for
the day.
Your child should feel confident about this experience and about
himself/herself. There are several ways all of us can help to
prepare your child to become a safer rider:
•
Each child must know how to cross
safely in front of the bus.
As school starts in the fall, your child will learn and practice this
procedure. It is very important that, you as parents emphasize
the importance of crossing correctly (at the driver’s signal) and
also the necessity of finding a seat promptly and remaining seated
throughout the trip.
•
Always be at the bus stop ten minutes
before the bus is due.
It is very important for you to be at the stop to help your children
learn the safe way to cross and to see that children do not
wander onto the street or damage anyone’s lawn or garden. It is
district policy that a parent, guardian, or responsible adult be
present to embark and disembark kindergarten students from the
bus. Drivers are instructed not to discharge kindergarten students
until a responsible individual is there to receive them.
•
Avoid the bus
"danger zone" when exiting the bus and
crossing the street. If your child must cross the street, it is
suggested that you assist them. Never cross the street behind
the bus.
When you and your child cross in front of
the bus, be
sure to be a least 10 feet in front of the vehicle and always look
to the driver for directions and obey them just as your child does.
•
Clothing should be appropriate for both the weather and
school activities. Clothing should be reasonably simple and
sturdy. The bus steps are high and aisles get dirty (despite daily
sweeping), especially in foul weather.
In the interest of safety, avoid such clothes as full-length
dresses, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, and other such things,
which may be lost or broken. Merely having to keep track of these
can be upsetting to small children.
In bad weather, the simpler the gear the better. Umbrellas are
difficult for youngsters to handle and can be dangerous. A hooded
raincoat is the best choice or a raincoat and hat with simple
closures. Any extra items such as hats or gloves should be labeled.
•
Nothing should be brought on the bus that cannot be held
with one hand or one arm. The other hand should be free to
grasp the handrail or seat back. If several items are carried, they
should be in a tote bag of plastic or canvas. This is also handy for
storing hats and mittens during the day and for carrying shoes and
books and for bringing home school papers and projects. A good
rule to follow: if it won’t fit in the tote bag, don’t bring it to
school. Any games or toys which are brought in the bag should
be securely tied or fastened shut so that small parts won’t scatter.
•
Lost items, unless extremely valuable, are kept on the bus
for several days and may be retrieved from the driver.
Unclaimed items are brought to the school and kept in lost and
found. If items remain unclaimed for a long period of time, they
are donated to charity.
•
All
kindergartners should know their name and address, as
well as phone number. For the first week or so it helps for
children to carry this information, as well as their bus stop
location, in their book bag
as many small children are too shy to
recite their name or address. This gives the driver some time to
learn the student’s name and address.
If pre-schoolers (other children) accompany you, watch them
closely and see that they do not run toward the bus as it is
stopping or play around near the wheels. Never go behind the
bus or under it!!
QUESTIONS ABOUT TRANSPORTATION?
If you have any questions about your child’s transportation,
please call Quality Bus Service at 845-858-2150. We will be glad
to assist you or answer questions.
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