Transportation

Transportation FAQs

•  We do not bus students who request a transfer to a building outside their home school district.
•  Students who live less than 1.5 miles from their building are considered to be within walking distance.
•  School of Choice students are not bused.
•  Route details for Young Fives/Kindergarten through 5th grade students are available in ParentVUE.
• 6th-12th grade students’ route drop-off and pick-up schedules are available in ParentVUE.

Parent/Student Transportation Handbook

Introduction

Public Act 187 of the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code outlines the pupil transportation laws that all districts must follow.  A copy of Public Act 187 is available for review during regular office hours in the Transportation Department.  The purpose of this handbook is to provide students and parents/guardians with general information about Kelloggsville Public School transportation policies.

It is important to note that the law does not require transportation of regular education students to and from school.  School bus transportation is provided only for eligible students and shall be considered a privilege to be enjoyed only as long as students accept responsibility for their own personal conduct and carefully follow all rules and regulations.  Please take the time to read the following pages and share the information with your child.

Safety is the most important factor in transporting students.  The following information is offered to make pupil transportation as safe as possible.

Bus Routes and Stops

Bus stops and routes are established on the basis of safety, efficiency and the age of the student.  The district reserves the right to change stops and routes whenever necessary.

It is each parent’s responsibility to get his/her child to and from the bus stop safely.

Parents/Guardians are responsible for their child’s behavior until the bus arrives and after the bus drops off their child at their stop.

Students should arrive at the bus stop, be lined up, and be ready to board the bus 5 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time.

By law, students must cross the street in front of the school bus.  Students will receive instruction on how to cross the street safely.  Parents who meet their child at the bus stop should help their child follow rules regarding the proper crossing procedure.

Bus stops cannot be located on cul-de-sacs, as the Michigan Department of Education recommends avoiding backing up a school bus whenever possible.

Walking distances and bus routes may be adjusted temporarily if roads are unsafe or impassable.

Other Important Notes

For Young Fives, Kindergarten and 1st grade students, Kelloggsville Public Schools requires a parent or other person designated by the parent to pick their child up at the bus stop in the afternoon.  If no parent or person designated by the parent is at the bus stop, the student will remain on the bus and be returned to school at the conclusion of the bus run.  The parent, or person designated by the parent, will be required to pick the child up at their school.

For GSRP students, a parent or person designated by the parent must be at the school bus door when loading and unloading the child.

Student Expectations

• Treat others with respect while riding the bus.  This includes other students, the bus driver and the bus aide.
• Bullying behavior towards others will not be tolerated.
• Do what the bus driver or bus aide asks of them.
• Use appropriate language at all times and use an “inside” voice when talking to other students.
• Refrain from eating, drinking and chewing gum while riding the bus.
• Remain seated until it is time to exit the bus or the bus driver gives permission to move.
• Keep their head, hands and feet inside the bus at all times.  
• Be responsible for any intentional damage to the interior or exterior of the bus, and are expected to pay for such damage. Restitution for damages may be required before riding privileges resume.
• Get to their bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. The bus will not wait for late students. 
• Students should stay out of the street while waiting at their bus stop.
• Cross the street, using the crossing procedure outlined in this manual.
• Limit objects that are brought on the bus to items that can be safely carried by your student.  Do not bring items on the bus that could affect the health and safety of others.  This includes cologne and perfume, as well as large items like scooters and skateboards.
• Do not get mail from the mailbox until after the bus has left.

Parent/Guardian Expectations

• Become familiar with district bus policies, state laws, regulations and principles of school bus safety.
• Expect their child to demonstrate appropriate behaviors at the bus stop and while riding the bus.
• Work with school personnel to reinforce appropriate bus behavior.
• Make certain that their child arrives at the bus stop 5 minutes early.
• Provide alternative transportation for their child if oversized items must be transported to or from school, or when a child's bus riding privileges have been suspended.
• Ensure that payment is made for damages resulting from vandalism to the bus resulting from vandalism.
• Be willing to show a photo ID when requested by a transportation staff member.
• Model good behavior at all times.

Bus Driver Expectations

• Build positive relationships in a professional, ethical manner by honoring diversity, modeling life skills and meeting the physical and emotional needs of all passengers.
• Establish proper rapport with students, parents/guardians and building administrators.
• Provide safe and orderly transportation for the students.
• Establish and enforce bus rules in accordance with district policy and procedures.  This includes teaching students the rules for safe bus riding and street crossings, and enforcing them consistently.
• Stay on the scheduled route and times each day when conditions allow.
• Pick up and discharge students only at their designated stops, except with written permission to do otherwise.
• Request a photo ID if unsure about the adult picking up the child.
• Assign seats as necessary.
• Notify the office if the bus will be late.
• Check the bus by walking from front to back to make certain it is empty at an appropriate location after the last child exits the bus, between all runs and before parking the bus.
• Notify parents/guardians, the transportation director and the building administrator of behavior concerns.
• May never leave the bus unattended with students on board.
• Follow all appropriate procedures in dealing with dangerous situations.

Student Crossing Procedure

Please review these important safety procedures with your children.  Parents who escort their children to and from the bus when crossing must set an example for their children by adhering to these important safety procedures.  

Everyone needs to know that not all cars stop as required by state law, even when the red lights are flashing!

When crossing the street to board a bus…

• Students wait in groups at the designated bus stop and at least 10 feet away from the edge of the road and wait for the bus driver to signal to cross.
• Bus drivers will display a sign to indicate when it is safe to cross the street.
• Once the signal has been given, students should proceed directly across the road, always staying well in front of the bus and board immediately.
• Students should not stop in the middle of the street or cross behind the bus.

When crossing the street to exit the bus…

• Students should exit the bus and stand behind the yellow front crossing arm.
• Students should look at the driver for the signal to cross.
• Kelloggsville bus drivers use a two-sided paddle to indicate when it is safe to cross.  Red means “STOP” and not to cross the street.  Green means “GO”and it is safe to cross the street.
• Never cross behind the bus.
• If a personal belonging goes under the bus, ask the bus driver for help.

Bus Conduct Reports

Students who do not follow the rules while on the bus will receive a bus conduct report. Bus conduct reports will lead to the suspension of riding privileges.  When possible, bus drivers and bus aides will work with students to improve behavior before a bus conduct report is given.

Bus Conduct Reports Process

• 1st offense - Warning to students, call home.
• 2nd offense - Loss of 1 recess, call home
• 3rd offense - Loss of recess and/or 1-day suspension from riding the bus.
• 4th offense - 5-day suspension from riding the bus.
• 5th offense - Length of suspension determined by the building principal.

Immediate suspension will occur for any infraction involving fighting, threats, intimidation, bullying, or the possession of illegal drugs, alcohol, smoking, vaping, or weapons of any kind.

The school district reserves the right to implement alternative discipline options based on individual circumstances. Parents will be notified prior to the suspension of riding privileges. A meeting may be scheduled with the building principal and director of transportation prior to reinstatement of riding privileges.

Riding the school bus to and from school is a privilege.  A suspension of riding privileges does not mean a suspension from school.  If a student is suspended from riding the bus, it is the parents' responsibility to bring their child to and from school.