Summary of school bus rules
- A mask must be worn at all times while riding, entering and exiting the school bus, unless prior approval by the district because of a medical condition or disability.
- No eating or drinking allowed.
- Students must remain in their assigned seat at all times.
- Members of the same household will sit together.
- Students must ride the same bus to and from school once routes have been established.
- Bus changes will not be permitted due to seating capacity limitations.
The school bus is an extension of the classroom. Therefore, many of the state and public health recommendations that apply to school buildings will also be applied to the school bus.
Parents/guardians will be required to complete an online temperature assessment for their children before they board the school bus. This assessment will ensure their children do not have a fever of 100 degrees or higher. If their child has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher that child is to stay home and the parent should contact the school nurse’s office.
Students must be socially distant on the bus and sit in their assigned seat. Household members MUST sit together, two to a seat.
Students must ride the same bus every day. Bus changes will not be permitted due to limited space on each bus.
All students must wear a mask on a bus at all times. Masks will be available on each bus to provide one whenever needed. Students who have a doctor’s note stating they are unable to medically tolerate a face covering, including a student with a documented disability or where such covering would impair their physical or mental health, are not subject to the required use of a face covering. These students will be socially distanced from other students on the bus.
When students board and exit the bus, they will be asked to follow social distancing protocols. Staggered arrival and departure times will be utilized in order to ensure social distancing.
Students will be expected to adhere to all bus rules. No eating or drinking allowed on the school bus, as such behavior could result in choking and would require them to remove their mask.
All buses will be cleaned/disinfected between each bus run. Cleaning and disinfecting will be thorough and focused on high contact areas.
School buses will NOT be equipped with hand sanitizer because of its combustible composition. School bus drivers, monitors and attendants are not permitted to carry personal bottles of hand sanitizer with them on school buses.
School buses with wheelchair access will be configured in a way that will ensure social distancing.
When temperatures are above 45 degrees, school buses will transport passengers with roof hatches or windows slightly opened to provide air flow.
Student drop-off locations at the school will be based on the distance that is shortest to their classrooms. Students in grades Kindergarten, 1, 2, and 4 will enter in the two wing doors nearest the playground and farthest from parent drop off locations. Students in grades 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 will be dropped off in two entrances at the middle school, depending on their grade and proximity to their classrooms. Students in grades 9-12 will be dropped off at two entrances into the school depending on their last name.
School Bus Staff
School bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics are required to perform a self-health assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at work. If personnel are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19, they should not come to work and are required to notify their employer and seek medical attention.
The transportation department will be provided with Personal Protective Equipment such as masks and gloves on each bus. School bus drivers, monitors, attendants and mechanics must wear a face covering along with an optional face shield. Drivers, monitors and attendants who must have direct physical contact with a child must wear gloves. The driver, monitor, and attendant may wear gloves if they choose, but it is not required unless these employees have physical contact with students.
Transportation staff (drivers, monitors, attendants, mechanics and cleaners) will be trained and provided periodic refreshers on the proper use of personal protective equipment and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Transportation staff are expected to wash their hands with soap and water before and after all bus runs. Hand sanitizer will be available for all staff in transportation locations such as dispatch offices, employee lunch/break rooms and/or bus garages.
Homeless students and other out-of-district placements
The school district will continue to fulfill existing mandates regarding the safe and effective transportation of students who are homeless (McKinney-Vento), in foster care, have disabilities and attend non-public schools and charter schools. All student bus riders and staff members are required to adhere to the aforementioned health and safety guidelines.