WHAT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CAN MY CHILD TAKE ON THE BUS:

We ask that the following instruments be transported on the school bus; violins clarinets, trumpets, baritones, recorders, violas, oboes, French horns, drum pads, guitars, small cellos, bassoons, mellophones, snare drums, portable keyboards, flutes, and alto sax. 

The following instruments cannot be transported on the school bus; trombones, field drums, full cello, tuba, double bass, sousaphone, large sax, and bass drum. 

CAN MY CHILD RIDE A DIFFERENT BUS THAN THE ONE THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO: 

Yes, with certain restrictions. You must make your request in writing to your child’s school, they will then contact the transportation office.  There must be a valid reason for the request, a play date is not acceptable. There must be available seating on the requested bus and the requested stop must be a current stop (NO new stops will be created). 

WHEN MUST I STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS: 

Pennsylvania law requires motorists to stop at least ten (10) feet away from the bus under the following conditions. Motorists must remain stopped until the red signal lights have stopped flashing and the stop sign has been withdrawn. 

• When you meet or overtake a stopped school bus with its red signal lights flashing and the stop sign extended. 
• When you approach an intersection where a school bus is stopped with it’s red signal lights flashing and the stop sign extended. 

WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR NOT STOPPING FOR A SCHOOL BUS LOADING/UNLOADING STUDENTS:

If convicted, a motorist receives a 60 day driver’s license suspension and 5 point on the driving record and a $250.00 fine. 

WHAT ARE YOUR PROCEDURES FOR WEATHER RELATED DISMISSALS? 

Sometimes, because of weather during the school day or impending conditions, the district must dismiss schools early in the interest of safety.  In this situation, we will notify parents and guardians through phone calls, emails and text messaging. 

HOW ARE SCHOOL BUS STOPS ESTABLISHED? 

Each location, in town and out of town, have different variables.  All though there are some basic factors we follow. We generally try to limit stops to not more than the required state limits of: walking distance to/from a school bus to of 1.0 miles for elementary (k-5) and 1.50 miles for middle and high school (6-12) students.  Other factors considered are traffic volume, posted speed limit, sight distance, and number of children assigned to a stop.  In most cases, stops are generally placed at an intersection.  Intersections have a traffic control device, i.e. stop sign. 

WHY IS MY CHILD NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION? 

School Board Policy stipulates elementary (grades K-5) students must reside at least 1.00 miles from their assigned school while middle school and high school (grades 6-12) students must reside at least 1.50 miles from their assigned school to be eligible for school bus transportation.  These distances are measured using the shortest public access route from the point where the residence driveway intersects the closest public roadway or walkway to the point where the school driveway intersects the closest public roadway or walkway. 

ARE THERE ASIGNED SEATS ON THE SCHOOL BUS? 

Yes. School Board policy authorizes the driver to assign seats using whatever seating arrangement works best for the safety of students and her driver. 

HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF A CAHNGE TO MY CHILD’S STOP TIME OR LOCATION? 

You will be notified via school messenger, phone call, text message and/or email. There may be times when the bus contractor will contact you with a change. 

WILL MY CHILD HAVE THE SAME BUS DRIVER EVERYDAY? 

Usually they will have the same driver in the morning and afternoon. However, there will be times when a substitute driver is assigned to drive.  Also, there could be a driver in training riding along on the bus. 

WHY IS THE BUS LATE AND WHY WASN’T I CALLED?

Some of the situations that could cause lateness include traffic, road closures, weather, vehicle issues or a late prior run. Since we contract with six different bus contractors and have over 75 buses and school vehicles, it is virtually impossible to contact parents when the bus is running behind. However, we do have radio contact will all buses an we can determine the expected time of arrival. 

WHAT CAN MY CHILD BRING ON THE BUS?

Pennsylvania regulations prohibit live animals, flammable or illegal items, and bulky objects (large musical instruments). All belongs must be of the size that can safely be held on the child’s lap or between their knees without affecting safety and comfort of others.  Flowers in vases and balloons are not permitted on buses. 

CAN A PARENT BOARD A SCHOOL BUS? 

Not unless the driver approves. In 2001, a bill was passed by the Pennsylvania legislature with the following provisions. 

• Any person who shall enter a public school bus or public school activity bus after being forbidden to do so by the authorized school bus driver in charge thereof, or the school principal to whom the public school bus or public school activity bus is assigned shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 
• Any person who shall unlawfully and willfully stop, impede, delay, or detain any public school bus or public school activity bus being operated for public school purposes shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.