merryhill schools · traveling the sacramento area roads to adventurous learning. effective 8/1/17...

Effective 8/1/17

Parent Handbook – Transportation 1

MERRYHILL SCHOOLS

2018-2019

TRANSPORTATION PARENT HANDBOOK

Effective 8/1/17


Welcome to Merryhill Schools

Transportation Services

We are proud of our updated vehicle fleet and comprehensive transportation services. Collectively, our drivers have over 40 years of school driving experience and are dedicated to ensuring the safe transport of each and every Merryhill student. To clarify our procedures and the regulations, as required by law, we are providing you with two essential documents in our Transportation Parent Handbook. The first is the Bus Rider Policy & Procedures Guide. The second is our Transportation Safety Plan. Each document has an acknowledgement page that must be completed by all Merryhill parents prior to starting school. All parents must read this information and complete the forms as it applies both to our daily route riders, as well as those students that only use our service for fieldtrips. The Bus Rider Policy & Procedure Guide provides descriptions of the procedures for our various loading and unloading locations as well as guidelines that you and your student need to know in order to insure you are on time for bus services. We have included a sample of our Bus Citation that will be used for all corrective discipline issues for your reference. For those that would like to have the California Regulations as a reference, they can be located at the end of the guide. The Transportation Safety Plan provides legally required information regarding such items as crossing the road or parking lot, safe loading and unloading practices, proper boarding and exiting (of the bus) procedures, a list of current bus stops, the basic bus rules, safety instruction practices and how we deal with reduced visibility issues to insure the safety of our riders. Also included is a diagram to share with your student identifying danger zones around our buses for pedestrians, when getting on or off our buses. For those that would like to have the California Regulations that pertain to this information as a reference, those are at the end of the guide. If you have any questions regarding the information contained in any of these documents, please contact your Principal or Kimber Wheeler (Transportation Supervisor.) Thank you for doing your part in helping us keep all our Merryhill students and staff safe while traveling the Sacramento area roads to adventurous learning.

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NOTE: Please tear off the last three pages (31 – 33), complete the required areas and return

them to your educational campus prior to transportation services start.

Bus Rider Policy & Procedure

2017 – 2018

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Important Notices In order to provide transportation services, we have established minimum ridership for each route. If any route falls below the ridership minimum, or we have a staff shortage, we reserve the right to cancel part or all of a bus route until such time as we can service it again. In this event, parents will be notified of the issue and will need to transport their student(s) to and/or from school. Parents and students may not cross the street or parking lot that the bus is stopped on to access the bus, parent’s car, or walk home. Please help us stay in compliance with California Vehicle Code 22112 on this issue.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Sacramento Merryhill Schools and the Merryhill Transportation Department work together to offer two unique types of bus route services. It is very important to understand the distinction between the two types of services. Care Campus Bus Stop

A Care Campus Bus Stop is a regular stop at a Merryhill school, where designated riders participate in a Before and After Care (B/A Care) program at a host campus. The host campus is typically one of the Merryhill Preschools located in the Sacramento area. Bus riders that require B/A Care are required to enroll for both the bus route service AND the B/A Care at the Educational School where the student attends. For instance, if the student attends school at Merryhill Midtown, but will require B/A Care after the bus route at the Merryhill Millcreek Campus, that student must enroll for the route service and the B/A Care at the Midtown Merryhill campus. Check with your desired B/A Care campus to ensure that it has a B/A program AND has the space available to accommodate your rider. Please make sure that you have read and understand the Policies and Procedures that pertain to the B/A Care campus stops which are outlined on the following pages.

Street Side Bus Stop A Street Side Bus Stop is a regular bus stop at a Merryhill school, where designated riders DO NOT participate in B/A Care at the bus stop host school. Street Side Bus Stop riders may not only be granted access to the host school 10 minutes prior to the bus departure time in order to wait for access to the bus. If accessing the host campus within the 10 minutes allowed, the host campus will bring the student out to the bus along with the Care Campus riders. If accessing the host campus more than 10 minutes prior to the departure time, there will be a Care Campus charge. Pursuant to the policies and procedures outlined in the following pages, parents Parents who do not access the host campus prior to the departure time must escort their rider to the bus in the morning, and must be waiting to escort their child from the bus when it arrives in the afternoon.

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Many Merryhill bus stop locations offer BOTH Care Campus and Street Side Only service. Please check with your educational campus to determine the specifics of your desired location.

Please review the Bus Route Locations and Times document at the back of this manual.

Route times and locations are subject to change.

BUS LOADING & UNLOADING PROCEDURES

BEFORE SCHOOL LOADING AT CARE CAMPUS :

Street Side Bus Stop Riders Bus Riders must be waiting with parents/guardians 5 minutes prior to the bus loading time. Once the bus has arrived and come to a complete stop with the loading door open, students are allowed to approach the bus. Prior to the student(s) boarding the bus, parents/guardians are solely responsible for the safety and behavior of their pupil. Attempting to board the bus by crossing the street on which the bus is parked is STRICTLY PROHIBITED and will result in a suspension of bus riding privileges. Repeated occurrences can lead to prolonged suspension or termination of bus riding privileges.

Street Side Bus Riders will board the bus first. Parents/guardians shall insure that the pupil(s) walks safely to the bus without accessing areas set aside for vehicle traffic in the parking lot. Pupils are to walk in a single file line to the bus and board in an orderly fashion. The driver will check each student in on the Bus Rider List using Face –To-Name recognition as they board the bus. Care Campus Bus Stop Riders Bus riders are not allowed to cross the parking lot to board the bus when the bus is anywhere within sight. They must be safely inside the care campus building 5 minutes prior to the bus loading time at the B/A Care Campus in order to be eligible bus for service each day.

Please make sure you are aware of your Care Campus’ specific time. If you see the bus entering, parked at or departing from the Care Campus, your student will not be allowed to board the bus. Campus Staff will take bus roll using Face-to-Name recognition 5 minutes prior to bus arrival. Once the bus has stopped to board students, Campus staff will escort all bus riders out to the bus in a single file line. Care campus students will board after any street side riders have entered the bus. Campus staff will hand the Bus Rider list to the driver prior to students boarding. The bus driver will take roll of each student as they board the bus making sure to use Face-to-Name recognition. Campus staff will not allow late riders to board the bus.

Once all students are on, the driver will close the doors and check to insure all seatbelts are properly secured prior to departure. No late arrivals are allowed to board the bus once the loading process has begun. The loading

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process begins 5 minutes prior to the bus time that has been published in this document and posted at the schools.

BEFORE SCHOOL UNLOADING PROCEDURES AT EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS:

Midtown 27th St. Bus Zone

Staff will take roll from the Bus Rider List using Face-To-Name recognition. Students will be assisted off the bus by staff and be led to the appropriate area for their grade level.

Millcreek Staff will meet the bus when it stops at the curb. Driver will give staff the Bus Rider List and staff will check all riders off using Face-To-Name recognition. Once all riders are accounted for, staff will assist riders into the campus and release the driver to continue on with their duties.

Calvine

Staff will meet the bus when it stops at the curb. Driver will give staff the Bus Rider List and staff will check all riders off using Face-To-Name recognition. Once all riders are accounted for, staff will release the driver to continue on with their duties.

AFTER SCHOOL LOADING AT EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS:

Campus staff will call all bus riders to line up for Face-To-Name recognition roll call and complete the Bus Rider List. Once all students are accounted for, staff will give the Bus Rider List to the driver. The driver will check each student onto the bus using Face-To-Name recognition. Once all students are accounted for from the school, the driver will close the door and check all riders for proper seat belt securement, where applicable. Once all students are safely seated, the driver will depart the educational campus.

AFTER SCHOOL UNLOADING AT CARE CAMPUS:

Street Side Bus Stop Riders Street Side students will exit the bus first. All students will get checked off by the driver as they individually exit the bus into a parent’s/guardian’s custody. Students will not be allowed to exit the bus without a parent/guardian present. If parents are not present, the driver will leave the student at the appropriate Care Campus for parents to retrieve from inside the building (late fees will apply.) The Care Campus will inform the Education Campus Principal of the tardiness and contact will be made with the parent to arrange pick up of the student. Citations will be issued for each late parent arrival and fees will be charge as follows:

1st occurrence….. warning Repeated occurrence….$40 for Before and After Care

~Additional occurrences may lead to suspension of riding privileges!~

Once all students have exited the bus, the driver will close the door and walk through the entire bus to make sure that there are no sleeping students and gather articles that may have been left behind. Lost

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articles will be returned to the educational campus the following day for retrieval if they are not claimed by the student. Care Campus Service Bus Stop Riders Care Campus Riders will exit the bus after all street side riders have exited and only once Campus Staff have arrived to the bus door. All students will get checked off by the B/A Care staff as they exit the bus using Face to Name Recognition before leaving the bus to enter the campus.

Campus Care riders will not be allowed to disembark and proceed directly to a waiting parent or car. All parents must retrieve their bus rider from inside the Care Campus.

Once all students have exited the bus, the driver will close the door and walk through the entire bus to make sure that there are no sleeping students and gather articles that may have been left behind. Lost articles will be returned to the educational campus the following day for retrieval if they are not claimed by the student.

Fieldtrips: Students must be inside the education campus at the time indicated by the teacher in charge of the trip. THE BUS WILL LEAVE WITHOUT ANY STUDENT THAT DOES NOT ARRIVE ON TIME. Parents of late students can meet the bus at the destination or 1st stop if one is scheduled as part of the trip itinerary.

******************* In our efforts to ensure the utmost safety and security of all our Merryhill bus riders as well as remain

compliant with VC 22112 in the event our bus policy is not complied with by a late arrivals, the Late Bus Rider Procedure is as follows.

Procedure upon Failure to Comply: Parents dropping their Care Campus student off in the parking lot when the bus is in view may lead to the steps required by California Vehicle Code (VC 22112). Those steps will include:

A late student (including parent) crossing the parking lot to board the bus will be required to stop and wait for the

driver to activate the red lights at the top of the bus and the stop sign on the side.

The driver will use a hand held stop sign to walk in front of the bus and insure all vehicular traffic through the

parking lot has stopped. The late student will then be asked to cross ONLY between the driver and the front of the

bus.

The driver will return to the bus when all bus students are safely across and deactivate the red lights/stop arm

system allowing traffic to flow through the parking lot again.

Although the process of escorting the students across the parking lots may lead to traffic delays, we are required by law to follow this procedure. Because of the potential to create an unsafe situation for others during the above procedure, failure to insure that students are signed in and out at the Care Campus on time will lead to the issuance of a Bus Citation and could lead to loss of bus riding privileges.

Late Bus Rider Citation Consequences

Citation Occurrence Consequence

1 Verbal Warning

2 Written Warning

ADDITIONAL Bus Riding Privileges suspended up to permanently

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NON-BUS RIDERS

Parents dropping off their child to attend the school, but do not ride the bus, will be required to stop whenever the red lights and stop arm are activated on the school bus. Failure to stop can lead to fines starting at $150 and possible license suspension. For your reference the Vehicle Codes that apply to this procedure change are printed at the end of this notice. If you have any questions regarding these new procedures, please call: Kimber Wheeler at (916) 213-9295.

Bus Citation

Discipline issues on the buses are always an unsafe distraction for the bus driver. Unsafe behavior can often be resolved with a verbal warning or correction from the bus driver. If this does not work, depending on the issue, the driver may try assigning a seat to the student(s) involved. The seat assignment may last a few days or may extend up to the entire school year to protect the student(s) from further behavioral consequences or persistent unsafe riding practices. In all circumstances of corrective discipline, the students will be issued a citation to inform the Principal of the behavior that exists. When the efforts of the bus driver do not work, a Citation will be used to involve the Principal and Parents in further corrective discipline. Corrective discipline may ultimately lead to suspension of bus services.

Bus Citation Sample

Transportation Conduct Report

Merryhill Schools

Student Name Grade

Date

NOTICE: Informational #_____ FINAL Bus #

AM / PM / TRIP Driver

Notice to Parents - This report is intended to inform you of behavior that needs to be corrected. Please return the signed report within 3 school days from date of Principal's signature.

Driver's Report: Late Arrival Vandalism Bullying/teasing Eating/drinking Disrespectful

Inappropriate Language Standing/in aisle Touching Others Loud Noise Other

Action Taken: ¨Written Warning ¨ Parent Conference/Call ¨Bus Suspension from ______________ to ______________ ¨Bus privileges revoked ¨Billed for Damages ¨Other

SIGNATURES REQUIRED BELOW

Driver _____________________________________________________ Principal ___________________________________________ DATE ____ ___________

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Parent __________________________________________________________ Student __________________________________________

Merryhill School Bus Policies Acknowledgement

The safety of all Merryhill students and parents is our main objective and we appreciate your help in achieving that goal and helping us comply fully with California law. Please read, indicate service selections and sign below.

I, the parent/ guardian of _______________________________________________________ have read and understand the policies regarding pick-up and drop-off procedures outlined above. I understand that failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including the suspension/expulsion of bus riding privileges.

I accept that the behavior and safety of my student(s) is my sole responsibility while waiting for and approaching the bus to load/unload for a street side bus stop.

I acknowledge the appropriate time for my child to be at the bus stop or inside the care campus is 5 minutes prior to bus arrival.

My child will be using: (mark one) o Street Side

Bus Stop o Care Campus

Bus Stop o Fieldtrip

Service ONLY

My child’s stops are: (mark one)*

o Harbour Point to Midtown o Millcreek to Midtown

o Harbour Point to Calvine o Laguna to Calvine

o Fieldtrip Service Only

My child must be at the bus stop/inside the care campus each morning no later than: (write in the correct time)* __________________

_________________________________________ _____________________________________________ (Printed Parent Name) (Signature)

________________________ (Date)

SAMPLE SEE Page 31

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*Refer to ADDENDUMS B & C at the back of this document for selections.

Merryhill Schools Route Bus Rider Policy & Procedure Acknowledgement Form

I, the parent/ guardian of ___________________________________, have read the Merryhill School Transportation Safety Plan and understand the policies regarding pick-up and drop-off procedures outlined above. I understand that failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including the suspension of bus riding privileges.

Additionally (please initial next to each bullet point item below):

For all riders:

I have read and understand the policies and procedures governing the “Street Side Bus Stop” and “Care Campus Bus Stop” locations.

I understand that no child will be allowed to cross the parking lot unescorted by me, the parent, for any reason.

I understand that circumstances may occur that are outside the control of the Merryhill Transportation department, which may result in a late bus, or suspension of bus service in part or completely.

For Street Side Bus Stop riders:

I understand that it is my responsibility to escort my child TO THE BUS DOOR for pickup, and escort my child FROM THE BUS DOOR upon arrival.

I understand that the transfer of care for my child, and the transfer of responsibility for my child, will occur at the bus door ONLY AFTER the bus driver checks in or checks out my student.

I understand that I must be waiting and ready to deliver my child AND retrieve my child when the bus arrives.

I understand that the bus will not wait for me, the parent, if I am late. In such an instance, my child will be sent to the B/A Care campus for pickup.

I understand that if my child is sent into a B/A Care campus, I may be subject to disciplinary action, including a fees and/or suspension of bus riding privileges.

________________________________ ________________________________ (Parent Name) (Signature)

____________________ (Date)

SAMPLE SEE page 32

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California Vehicle Code Vehicle Codes can be found in the current text at: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm

VC 22112 Schoolbus Signal and Schoolbus Stops VC 22454 Schoolbus Meeting and Passing VC 22454.5 Unlawful Passing of Schoolbus Penalties VC 34501.6. Schoolbuses: Reduced Visibility EDUCATION CODES Education Codes can be found by following the corresponding link.

EC 39831.3. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/appndxa/edcode/edc39831_3.htm EC 39831.5 http://law.onecle.com/california/education/39831.5.html California Code of Regulations

5 CCR§ 14103. Authority of the Driver. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VzRwIqzIwnoF8f1INhX51x3J45HxivzJVtByVbuqBj8/preview

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/appndxa/edcode/edc39831_3.htm

http://law.onecle.com/california/education/39831.5.html

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VzRwIqzIwnoF8f1INhX51x3J45HxivzJVtByVbuqBj8/preview

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are the bus route times so strict?

We understand the frustration of getting young children out the door on time in the morning. It can be

never ending. One thing we understand even more is the unsafe nature of bus loading zones with young

children around parking lots.

We wrote our Transportation Safety Plan with both of these concerns in mind. We have a policy that

requires parents to be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the bus time. This gives everyone plenty of time

to gather up all their backpacks, jackets and lunch boxes before lining up for the bus to arrive. These 5

minutes are a safety window not only for our bus riders, but the other people using our parking lots by

allowing for safe traffic flow for those parents and young toddlers going into the pre-school campus. We

have witnessed many near accidents where late parents have rushed quickly into one of our parking lots

and not seen children getting out of cars.

If a bus parent arrives at or after the bus time, they are already 5 minutes late. Our rule of thumb is:

If you see the bus, you are late. Please drive your child to school.

2. Why can’t I put my child on the bus if the bus is still there?

Our buses are not to arrive before the posted time. This gives parents time to safely get there child

prepared to board the bus. If all children are on time, it allows the driver to perform their duty of

checking each child on list and then personally checking every student seat belt for proper securement.

As with anything important and detail orientated, an interruption to stop what the driver is doing and

load a late student can lead to unintended mistake. We want to reduce mistakes that could lead to any

unsafe situation for our bus riders and our drivers.

3. Why does it take so long for the drivers to load/unload the bus?

We have a check off sheet that must be completed by the Campus (in the case of before and after care)

and the driver. The school marks next to each student that they are putting on the bus. The driver then

marks that each specific child that the school has indicated has indeed gotten on bus. When the bus

arrives at a drop off location the list is checked off once again to insure that every child that got on the

bus has been discharged safely to the appropriate person. These are steps that goes above and beyond

any other school bus service to insure that every child is accounted for from point A to point B as well as

their final destination.

4. Does my child have to wear their seatbelt?

Yes

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5. How do I know that their seatbelt is on correctly?

Our drivers will walk through the bus and check every individual seatbelt to insure that it is properly

fastened before moving the bus.

6. Can my student use electronic devices (cell phone, tablet, video game, music player) on

the bus?

No. The use of these devices poses a safety concern. We have had many instances where students were

so focused on their device that they were tuned out to the driver’s directions. Or they simply could not

hear driver directions because of headphones and loud volume in their ears. Additionally students tend

to get very boisterous over the video games or text communications which leads to unsafe driving

conditions for the driver.

Most of our routes have ride times of 30 minutes or less. We have found that this is a great amount of

time for students to talk to each other and get connected.

7. Are there any exemptions to the electronic device rules?

Yes. Overnight trips can be exempt to the no electronics rule if the destination does not prohibit the

students bringing them. However, the exemption only extends to the use of music players and only one

ear can have an ear bud in use so that the student can hear any emergency instructions the driver may

need to give. The driver will indicate at the beginning of the trip if this will be allowed.

8. Why can’t my student eat or drink on the bus?

This is first an issue of safety. We want to eliminate the chance of a child choking on any food substance

while on the bus. Secondly, cleaning up spilled food/drink on the bus is not easy. We have had major ant

invasions happen overnight because of spilled drinks or small food particles.

All is not lost however, we do allow for water to be consumed on the buses.

9. Why can’t I eat or drink on the bus?

Unfortunately the ant scenario still exists for adult beverages just as it does for the kids. We respectfully

ask that you finish your Starbucks or dispose of it before you bored the bus.

10. Why doesn’t the bus travel the same speed as traffic?

California Vehicle Code prevents school buses from traveling over 55 mph with a student on board

11. Why doesn’t the bus use the commute lane or only drive in the slow lane?

California Vehicle Code restricts buses to the right hand lane(s) with students on board.

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12. Why can’t my student wear their backpack on the bus?

This is a safety concern. In the event of a sudden stop or the bus gets hit, objects in the backpack have

been known to cause injury to students.

13. Why can’t I park across or walk across the street from the bus stop to get my Student?

California Vehicle code is very specific regarding the responsibility of the driver when it comes to school

children and the loading procedures required at bus stops. For the specific code, you can refer to your

Transportation Safety Plan that was including in your registration packet.

Within the code there are specific locations that are exempt from procedures that are required to be

performed by the driver starting 200 feet prior to the stop. One of the exempt locations is at or along a

school campus. We use this exemption so that we can perform our check off list while insuring that each

child gets off the bus safely into the appropriate custody.

HOWEVER, if a student crosses the street upon which the bus is parked, the exemption no longer exists

and the driver must follow procedures that include light activation beginning 200 ft. before and getting

out of the seat with a hand held stop sign to escort the students across the street (even if a parent is

present.) We CANNOT perform a cross-over procedure and check off our passenger list at the same time,

it would violate the provisions of the code.

14. If I need to cross the street with my student at the bus stop, what should I do so the bus

driver is not violating the law?

They best practice is to park on the same side of the street as the bus to avoid crossing the street. If this

is not possible, you and your student will need to go into the campus where the stop is located and wait

for the bus to depart. This insures safety by removing the bus as a blind spot for motorists on the road so

that they can see you as your child cross the street with you.

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MERRYHILL SCHOOLS

Transportation Safety Plan 2017 - 2018

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Merryhill Schools Transportation Safety Plan

This plan is prepared in order to comply with California Education Codes. The plan is to be kept at every campus

that Merryhill Schools provides transportation services to or from. “Services” includes filed trips.

I. CROSSING THE ROAD [EC 39831.3(1)]

A. Merryhill Schools DOES NOT provide home-to-school transportation.

B. Merryhill Schools utilizes two types of Bus Stops and provides two distinct types of transportation.

1. Bus Stops

a) Campuses

(1) Transportation originates at a before school Care Campus and delivers to an Educational Campus.

i. Street Side loading/unloading ii. Care Campus loading/unloading

(2) Transportation originates at an Educational Campus and delivers to an after school Care Campus.

iii. Street Side loading/unloading iv. Care Campus loading/unloading

b) Activity trips

(1) Transportation originates at an Educational Campus and delivers to an activity destination.

(2) Transportation originates at an activity destination and delivers to an Educational Campus.

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C. To maintain compliance with these practices, the drivers will not:

1. Stop to pick up tardy students.

2. Drop off at locations other than Merryhill campuses for before and after school service.

3. Make an unscheduled stop on an activity trip without appropriate administration authorization.

II. SAFE LOADING & UNLOADING PRACTICES [EC 39831.3 (2)]

A. Each campus has a “Bus Time” for all transportation functions.

1. All students using Care Campus services to access the bus are to be signed in at the campus 5 minutes prior to the Bus Time and remain in the campus until the bus arrives.

2. All students using Street Side access to use the bus are to be present 5 minutes before the bus arrives.

3. Parents are responsible for walking their student(s) safely to the door of the bus.

4. Late arrivals will be issued a citation and may be subject to discipline up to and including removal from bus riding privileges.

B. Street Side students will board first followed by Care Campus Students.

1. Driver will take attendance using Face-To-Name recognition.

C. Depending on the type of Care Campus stop, the driver may enter the campus to retrieve the students or campus staff will bring students to the bus.

1. All Care Campus students will follow the driver or staff to the bus and board in an orderly and single file manner.

a) Driver will take attendance using Face-To-Name recognition.

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D. When dropping Street Side students off after school, parents are to meet their student at the bus door.

1. Driver will mark each student off the Bus Rider List as they exit.

2. Driver will walk the entire bus to insure no children or personal items are left behind.

E. When dropping after school Care Campus riders or returning fieldtrip students, the students are to go directly into the campus.

1. Care Campus parents are required to meet their student inside the facility and NOT at the curb where the bus drops off.

2. Care Campus staff will meet students at the bus door and check them off the Bus Rider List provided by the driver using Face-To-Name recognition before walking into the campus.

F. Before departing any location, the driver will check the bus to see that:

1. Backpacks are safely stowed under the seat.

2. Students are properly seated.

3. Seatbelts (where equipped) are correctly secured.

4. No students or personal items are left on the bus after dropping off.

III. Boarding and Exiting [EC 39831.3(3)]

A. All students are to board the bus only when directed to by the driver using a single file line formation.

B. Backpacks are to be stowed under seats or in the area designated by the driver.

1. They are never to be held in a lap or worn while the student is seated.

C. Seatbelts, where equipped, are to be secured upon seating and remain properly worn at all times until the bus stops and the doors open.

D. Students are to walk whenever approaching or departing from the bus.

IV. Current bus stops [EC 39831.5(A)]

1. Routes are established based on minimum ridership.

2. If the minimum ridership is not met by consistent paid riders, the route may be discontinued until such time as the minimum paid riders is attained

3. Check with your Education Campus for actual route availability.

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Current Schools and Stops Serviced

Servicing MIDTOWN Harbour Point

Millcreek

Servicing CALVINE Harbour Point

Laguna

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Bus Rules [EC 39831.5(1)(B)]

A. Conduct

1. Follow all instructions given by the bus driver.

2. Be on time for the bus.

3. Enter and depart from the bus in a single file, orderly manner.

4. Wear seatbelts at all times while aboard the bus.

5. Be courteous to others.

6. Horseplay is not acceptable behavior while loading, unloading or riding the bus.

7. Do not change seats after boarding the bus.

8. Do not talk loudly on the bus.

9. Do not use inappropriate language.

10. Do not eat or drink on the bus (except water.)

11. Do not put body parts or property in the aisle or outside the bus at any time.

12. Do not litter or damage the bus. Parents will be liable for damages.

13. Do not bring animals or insects (live or dead) on the bus.

14. Do not open an emergency door unless told directly by an adult to do so.

15. Electronics (music players, cell phones, video games, tablets/computers)are not allowed to be used on the bus while it is in motion.

B. Special Situations

1. Large school projects that will not fit safely under the bus seat must be brought to and from school using alternate transportation methods.

2. Specialty days that require over sized items (i.e. toys, bikes, skate-boards, elaborate costumes) must be brought to and from school using alternate transportation methods.

3. Guests that are attending sleepovers at student’s houses need to find alternate transportation.

a) Transportation MAY be arranged for a one time fee and only if there is capacity on the bus after all regular students have boarded.

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b) If capacity allows ridership, all overnight personal affects must not be bigger than a backpack or refer back to 1. of this section.

V. Red Light Crossing Instructions [EC 39831.5(1)(C)]

A. Merryhill School DOES NOT provide home-to-school transportation.

B. Each campus has a “Bus Time” for all transportation functions.

1. All students using the bus service are to be signed in at the Care Campus 5 minutes prior to the Bus Time.

2. Failure to be signed in at the Care Campus will cause the bus driver to initiate a “Red Light Crossing” procedure” in accordance with VC 22112.

a. The students are not allowed to cross the parking lot or street without the activation of the 8-light warning system on the bus AND physical assistance from the driver. They MUST wait until the driver has stopped all parking lot or street traffic with a hand held stop sign and tells them it is safe to cross.

b. The students MUST cross between the driver and the front of the bus.

c. Use of this loading procedure during the course of our Bus Routes or prior to a fieldtrip indicates a late arrival to the campus and may lead to consequences including loss of riding privileges (see Bus Rider Policy.)

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VI. Schools Bus Danger Zone [EC 39831.5(D)]

A. The Danger Zone (ex. 1) is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit.

B. Children should stay ten feet away (5 -10 giant steps from the bus (or as far away as they can).

C. NEVER go behind the behind the bus.

D. NEVER reach under the bus for dropped items.

1. Ask the driver to retrieve any items that have landed under the bus.

E. NEVER reach out to touch the bus as it is arriving or departing a Bus Stop.

Effective 8/1/17


VII. Walking To and From Bus Stops [EC 39831.5(E)]

A. All students are to be escorted by parents or guardians.

B. The sidewalks and crosswalks are to be used at all time when available.

C. Traffic control devices and safe crossing procedures are to be used at all time.

VIII. Safety Instruction – Bus Routes [EC 39831.5(4)]

A. Merryhill bus drivers will give safety instruction to all pupils and adults aboard the bus prior to departure for all activity trips.

IX. Authority of Driver (5 CCR§ 14104)

A. All passengers aboard the bus are under the direct authority of the driver.

1. When a driver has discipline issues on the bus, the driver may move the pupil to an assigned seat to remove them from the problem.

2. Teachers will be responsible for the behavior of their students on fieldtrips and will be asked to correct unsafe or inappropriate behavior by the driver.

X. Reduced Visibilty (VC 34501.6)

A. Whenever visibility is reduced to 200 ft or less prior to departure, Merryhill buses will remain at the campus of origination until the conditions improve enough to allow safe transportation of our pupils.

1. For activity trips, the bus will wait up to 1 hour for conditions to improve.

a) If conditions do not improve, or worsen, the trip will be rescheduled for a better day in order for the students to get the full measure of their activity.

B. While traveling the roadways, the bus drivers are given discretion to discontinue driving at a safe location until conditions improve.

For additional copies of this plan, please contact your home campus or Transportation Services.

Emergency Contact Information

Schools Principals – contact information can be obtained from your home campus. Transportation Services Transportation Supervisor, Kimber Wheeler (916) 213-9295

Effective 8/1/17


Merryhill School’s Transportation Safety Plan

The safety of all Merryhill students and parents is our main objective and we appreciate your help in achieving that goal and helping us comply fully with California law.

I, the parent/ guardian of ___________________________________ have read and understand the Transportation Safety Plan for Merryhill Schools. I understand that failure to comply with this plan may result in disciplinary action up to and including the suspension of bus riding privileges.

_________________________________________

(Parent Name)

______________________________________

(Signature)

________________________

(Date)

SAMPLE SEE page 33

Effective 8/1/17


ADDENDUM A

Buses Hide Important Things!

Every day our buses and cars pull in and out of Merryhill parking lots to pick-up and drop-off students. Every time this occurs, it creates a blind spot for everyone in the parking lot: drivers and pedestrians alike.

Please keep in mind the following whenever you enter our parking lots to drop off or pick up your children.

BUSES hide important things! You can’t see through them.

Cars backing out of stalls can’t always see around the cars parked next to them.

Children of all ages are impulsive. Even with a parent present!

5mph or slower is the safest when around children.

Look under cars for little feet. Moving feet bring bodies with them.

Watch for flying papers, jackets or toys. Children usually follow.

Children forget things…and then go back for them unexpectedly.

Running late means using extra caution. Not less.

If the yellow lights are flashing at the top of the bus, prepare to stop.

If the red lights are flashing at the top of the bus, STOP.

Bus Route Parents

Arrive on time to reduce unsafe situations. Allow time for your children to check in BEFORE the bus

arrives.

If the bus is entering or in the school parking lot, it’s too late to board the bus. Please drive your children

to school.

Effective 8/1/17


ADDENDUM B

School Year 2017 – 2018 Bus Schedule* (Times in Black indicate Pick-Up departure time. Times in Blue indicate Drop Off time.)

MIDTOWN ROUTES

Harbour Point

AM PM

Harbour Point 7:15 Midtown 4:35 Midtown 8:05 Harbour Point 5:00

Millcreek

AM PM

Millcreek 7:35 Midtown 4:35 Midtown 8:05 Millcreek 4:55

CALVINE ROUTE Harbour Point/Laguna

AM PM

Harbour Point 7:25 Calvine 4:35 Laguna 7:45 Laguna 5:00

Calvine 8:10 Harbour Point 5:15

*All AM times are Bus Loading Times. Students MUST be signed into the care campus OR waiting in the parking lot at locations where there is not care campus service 5 min. prior to Loading Time! Failure to comply

may result in loss of riding privileges. The bus will load riders and leave immediately upon completion. It is illegal for the bus to stop and load late arriving riders.

Effective 8/1/17


ADDENDUM C

Street Side Stops

These campus locations will be serviced by parent drop off and pick up of pupils from the parking lot with the bus stopping along the street curb as indicated by the star.

Harbour Point

Laguna

Davis

Pocket

Pupils must be waiting in a car or lined up prior to bus arrival. No pupils are allowed to cross the street to access the bus or car at any time. Failure to comply and late arrivals may result in loss of riding privileges.

HARBOUR POINT

NOTE: This stop is on the street. Students may not cross the road to access the bus.

LAGUNA


Effective 8/1/17


Before & After Care Campus Stops

These campus locations may be serviced with before and after care service.

Millcreek

Habour Point

Laguna

Pocket

The B/A Care riders will only be serviced from within the building. ALL pupils must be inside the campus 5 minutes prior to the bus arrival and must enter the campus upon return in order to be properly checked in for safety purposes. Failure to comply and late arrivals may result in loss of riding privileges.

LAGUNA


MILLCREEK

NOTE: This stop is in the parking lot. Students MUST be waiting for the bus in the corner

as indicated. Students may not cross the parking lot to access the bus.

Effective 8/1/17


HARBOUR POINT from Midtown & Calvine Campus


Effective 8/1/17


EDUCATIONAL CAMPUSES

MIDTOWN


CALVINE

NOTE: This stop is in the parking lot. Students MUST be waiting for the bus inside the

campus. Students may not cross the parking lot to directly access the bus.

Effective 8/1/17


Merryhill School Bus Policies Acknowledgement

The safety of all Merryhill students and parents is our main objective and we appreciate your help in achieving that goal and insuring we comply fully with California law. Please read, indicate service selections and sign below.

I, the parent/ guardian of _______________________________________________________ have read and understand the policies regarding pick-up and drop-off procedures outlined above. I understand that failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including the suspension/expulsion of bus riding privileges.

I accept that the behavior and safety of my student(s) is my sole responsibility while waiting for and approaching the bus to load/unload for a street side bus stop.

I acknowledge the appropriate time for my child to be at the bus stop or inside the care campus is 5 minutes prior to bus arrival.

My child will be using: (mark one) o Street Side

Bus Stop o Care Campus

Bus Stop o Fieldtrip

Service ONLY

My child’s stops are: (mark one)*

o Davis to Midtown o Target to Midtown o Harbour Point to Midtown o Millcreek to Midtown

o Harbour Point to Calvine o Laguna to Calvine

o Danbrook to Millcreek

o Fieldtrip locations only

My child must be at the bus stop/inside the care campus each morning no later than: (write in the correct time)* __________________

_________________________________________ _____________________________________________ (Printed Parent Name) (Signature)

________________________ (Date)

*Refer to ADDENDUMS B & C at the back of this document for selections.

Effective 8/1/17


Merryhill Schools Route Bus Rider Policy & Procedure Acknowledgement Form

I, the parent/ guardian of ___________________________________, have read the Merryhill School Transportation Safety Plan and understand the policies regarding pick-up and drop-off procedures outlined above. I understand that failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including the suspension of bus riding privileges.

Additionally (please initial next to each bullet point item below):

For all riders:

I have read and understand the policies and procedures governing the “Street Side Bus Stop” and “Care Campus Bus Stop” locations.

I understand that no child will be allowed to cross the parking lot unescorted by me, the parent, for any reason.

I understand that circumstances may occur that are outside the control of the Merryhill Transportation department, which may result in a late bus, or suspension of bus service in part or completely.

For Street Side Bus Stop riders:

I understand that it is my responsibility to escort my child TO THE BUS DOOR for pickup, and escort my child FROM THE BUS DOOR upon arrival.

I understand that the transfer of care for my child, and the transfer of responsibility for my child, will occur at the bus door ONLY AFTER the bus driver checks in or checks out my student.

I understand that I must be waiting and ready to deliver my child AND retrieve my child when the bus arrives.

I understand that the bus will not wait for me, the parent, if I am late. In such an instance, my child will be sent to the B/A Care campus for pickup.

I understand that if my child is sent into a B/A Care campus, I may be subject to disciplinary action, including a fees and/or suspension of bus riding privileges.

________________________________ ________________________________ (Parent Name) (Signature)

____________________

(Date)

Effective 8/1/17


Merryhill School’s Transportation Safety Plan

The safety of all Merryhill students and parents is our main objective and we appreciate your help in achieving that goal and insuring we comply fully with California law.

I, the parent/ guardian of ___________________________________ have read and understand the Transportation Safety Plan for Merryhill Schools. I understand that failure to comply with this plan may result in disciplinary action up to and including the suspension of bus riding privileges.

_________________________________________

(Parent Name)

______________________________________

(Signature)

________________________

(Date)

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