Transportation

The prompt return of the “Verification and Emergency Data Form” “Parent & Student Bus Policy Acknowledgement Form”to the school bus driver is required by parents. Students who do not ride a bus on a regular basis should return the form to the school principal.

In the event of bus changes, late arrivals, late departures, schools will make every effort to inform parents when prior notice is provided by the Transportation Department. In the event of emergencies and prior notice cannot be made by the school, parents should be assured that students will be brought home on a bus even if it is not the regularly assigned bus.

1. Provide the bus driver with the appropriate phone number(s) and emergency number(s) and notify the school and the second bus driver immediately if any telephone numbers change or are disconnected.

2. Provide the bus driver with pertinent written information regarding any special care the student may need while on the bus.

3. Ensure that the student rider meets acceptable hygiene standards before boarding the bus.

4. Have the child at the designated bus stop at least 5 minutes before designated scheduled time and provide the necessary supervision until the bus arrives.

5. Contact the bus driver to obtain their child’s bus stop time and location.

6. Contact the TPSS Transportation Department (985-748-2423) to request a review of the bus stop location if your child is walking more than three-tenths of a mile from the end of their driveway to the bus stop location, if there is a safe alternative. The School System has established that no student will walk more than three-tenths (1600 feet) of a mile from the end of their driveway to the bus stop location, if there is a safe alternative. In the event of inclement weather or other extenuating circumstances, the driver will make the appropriate adjustments to drop the children off at their address, if at all possible.

7. Ensure that any specialized carrying equipment is in safe working order and secure the child into the carrying equipment before he or she boards the bus.

8. Meet the bus upon its return to the designated bus stop at the scheduled time.

9. Make a reasonable and timely effort to notify the bus driver prior to the beginning of the morning run if the child is unable to attend school.

10. Help keep the area to and from the loading area clear of obstacles and unnecessary debris.

11. Help keep bus turnarounds and lanes clear of parked vehicles and garbage cans to provide easy access to bus stops.

12. Call the school in case of an emergency that might prevent the parent from meeting the child at the bus and give the name of the person who will meet the child in place of the parent so the school may give this information to the bus driver. Make sure that this person’s name is on the child’s emergency information form.

13. Provide transportation to and from school if suspension from the bus is authorized.

14. Cooperate with school and the school bus driver in teaching children safety precautions, and good habits for school bus passengers.

15. Assist the bus driver when there are disciplinary problems.

16. Try not to distract the driver during loading or unloading and keep conversations with the driver to a minimum, since this may cause traffic delays or an accident. Parents should schedule a conference with the bus driver by contacting the child’s school.

17. It is against the law and School Board policy to verbally abuse the driver, detain the driver from his or her bus route, or board the school bus. Individuals who violate this Louisiana Law (Statute 14:122) may be prosecuted.

18. Familiarize yourself and follow local School Board and school-level policies regarding school bus transportation.

A school bus with undisciplined passengers is a hazardous bus! Student misbehavior can lead to accidents. The driver must concentrate on driving and cannot be expected to constantly supervise the students while the bus is in motion. Therefore, for the safe operation of the school bus, student riders should be aware of and obey the following safety rules:

1. Be on time! The bus cannot and will not wait for you. Cooperate with the driver. Your safety depends on it!

2. Follow the bus driver’s instructions when waiting for and leaving the bus. Do not cross the road until the bus driver gives you the universal crossing signal.

3. Have written permission authorized by the principal to get off at a stop other than your own. Parents may request a “Special Transportation Request Form” from the principal of the school the student attends. There is a five (5) day waiting period for special requests. NOTE: Special transportation requests will be considered on a “space available basis.” Students may only reserve space on one bus each morning and one bus each afternoon.

4. Be courteous, safety conscious, quiet, well-behaved, remain in your seat, and face the front when the bus is in motion.

5. Do not extend your arms, head, or other objects out of the windows and/or doors and do not throw objects in the bus or out of windows and/or doors.

6. The “EMERGENCY DOOR” is to be used only in the case of an emergency. Do not use it at any other time!

7. Help keep the bus clean by not eating and/or drinking on it. Do not use or bring on board the bus alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping, matches, cigarette lighters, obscene materials, pets. glass objects (except eyeglasses), weapons (including knives), and objects too large to be held in your lap or placed under your seat (including band instruments).

8. Vandalism (damaging the bus by marking on, cutting, tearing, taking apart, etc. the interior or seats) by student bus riders will not be tolerated. Students who damage the bus in any way will be held accountable for paying for damages and their bus riding privileges will be suspended until all monetary obligations have been made to the school district.

9. Keep the center aisle open! Do not put your feet, books, or any other object(s) that may obstruct the walkway in the aisle. Do not fight on the bus! Fighting on the bus will have the same consequences for students as fighting on the school campus.

Be at the designated bus stop at least 5 minutes before the normal arrival time of your bus dressed appropriately for the weather (jacket, raincoat, etc.). Wait quietly on the sidewalk. If a sidewalk is not present, wait at least 6 feet (3 giant steps) off the roadway. Avoid pushing, shoving, fighting or rough play. Be careful not to damage private property such as flowerbeds, shrubs, etc. and beware of moving vehicles and pedestrians exhibiting unusual behavior.

If you have to cross the roadway to board the bus, be sure to wait for the driver to give you the universal crossing signal before you begin to cross, then cross at least 10 feet (5 giant steps) in front of the bus. Always look in both directions for oncoming vehicles before crossing. Never cross the roadway behind the bus. Make sure the bus driver can see you at all times. When the bus arrives, wait until the bus stops and the door opens. Then, board the bus in single file when the driver tells you to do so and don’t push or shove others who are boarding. Use the bus handrails at all times when boarding the bus. Be careful when stepping up on slick steps in rainy weather. Once you are on the bus, proceed to the seat that the bus driver has designated for you, sit down, and be quiet. (NOTE: Factors such as safety, physical disabilities, age, and conduct are determining considerations for seat assignments.)

Remain in your seat until the bus arrives at your designated bus stop. Once the bus has stopped, proceed promptly and orderly to the front of the bus. The bus driver will control traffic with the school bus flashing lights and stop arm signal to ensure a safe crossing. Follow your driver’s directions and/or signals while crossing. Use the bus handrails at all times when exiting the bus. Be careful when stepping down on slick steps in rainy weather! Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps are not caught in the handrails or doors. If you have to cross the roadway, cross in front of the bus. NEVER CROSS THE ROADWAY BEHIND THE BUS! Walk at least 6 feet (3 giant steps) away from the side of the bus and then at least 10 feet (5 giant steps) in front of the bus. Wait for the driver to give you the universal crossing signal before you begin to cross. Always look in both directions for oncoming vehicles before crossing. Be sure that the bus driver can see you at all times. If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you. Walk directly home by the safest route. Do not go to your mailbox or to a friend’s house. Avoid trespassing on private property and beware of moving vehicles and pedestrians.

All students who ride the bus on a regular basis should be aware of the procedures to follow for emergency evacuation of the school bus. Students who do not ride a bus to and from school on a regular basis must also be instructed on these procedures for extra-curricular activity trips. Report any emergency (fire, smoke, injured or sick student, etc.) to the school bus driver. Remain calm and encourage others to do the same. Stay in your seat until the driver tells you what to do or until you are sure of what is the safest move to make. Do not panic or move without thinking. Do not move injured persons unless absolutely necessary. Do not touch emergency equipment or door control handles unless told to do so by the bus driver, except in the case of an extreme emergency and you are the closest person to the door.

Emergency exits of the bus are as follows: rear emergency door, front entry door, windows, windshield, large rear glass, and roof-mounted escape hatches. In an emergency situation, leave everything on the bus. Your life is more important than your coat, purse, book sack, or lunch box. Passengers closest to the exit should leave first and clear the exit quickly so others can follow. Older students should offer to assist younger students when exiting. If a young child cannot open the door, an older child or two small children could open it. Kick out windows if doors are blocked or stuck. If there is a need to jump from the bus, bend your knees to cushion your landing. Move away from the bus to a saf