School Bus Transportation Plans

SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION PLANS

Plan for Safe Transport of Students &

Emergency Preparedness Plans

 

California Education Code sections 39831.3, 39834(b);

California Vehicle Code section 22112

 

 

Introduction and Overview 

The purpose of these plans is to describe procedures for the safe transport of students and identify and address the emergency preparedness issues that relate to PUSD”’s new school bus program.  This plan is intended to provide direction to the District”’s bus service provider and information to parents, school staff and City staff.

Please note that in this geographic area there are frequent minor earthquakes that do not cause widespread damage or disruptions.  The following “emergency” plans concern only major earthquakes, natural disasters and similar occurrences.  

Plans for Safe Transport of Students 

§   When approaching a school-bus stop where students will be boarding or exiting the school bus, the driver shall activate the amber warning light system beginning 200 feet before the bus stop.The driver shall deactivate the amber warning light system after reaching the bus stop.

§   The driver shall activate the flashing red light warning system and stop signal arm  when the school bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading students.

§   The driver shall stop to load or unload students only at the designated bus stops.

§   The driver shall, before opening the school bus door, ensure that it is safe to enter or exit the school bus.

§   When necessary, the driver shall escort students crossing the street on which the school bus is stopped using an approved hand-held “STOP” sign.

§   The driver shall instruct students who need to cross the street to cross in front of the bus and only at an intersection or designated cross walk.

§   The driver shall ensure that all students who need to cross the street have crossed safely, and all other students and pedestrians are a safe distance from the bus before setting the bus in motion.

§   1st and 2nd graders must be met at the bus stop by an authorized person.  Older students may get off the bus unattended.  The driver shall bring any 1st and 2nd grade students who are not met at the bus stop to Beach School, to be supervised by District staff until picked up by an authorized person. 

§   Except in the case of an emergency that requires students to be moved immediately to ensure their safety, the driver may not load students on a school bus in excess of the bus seating capacity. 

Emergency Preparedness Plans:  If there is a major earthquake or natural disaster when … 

§   An empty bus is on the way to Piedmont for AM pick-up, or a partially-loaded bus is still in Piedmont for AM pick-up.  

The bus will continue its usual route and stop schedule and deliver all students to Beach Playfield, where students will shelter in place.  There will be emergency provisions at Beach Playfield and all available District staff will report to the site to supervise students until the students are picked up by a parent or authorized person.  The bus driver will immediately notify the First Student dispatcher, who will notify Havens staff, who will activate the auto-dialer to inform parents of the location of the students and instructions for pick-up.  

§   A fully-loaded bus is on the way to Havens Jr.after AM pick-up. 

The bus driver will make a judgment based on bus location, road conditions and other available information whether to deliver all students to Havens Jr.or Beach Playfield.  The students will shelter in place at the selected location.  There are emergency provisions at Havens Jr.as well as Beach Playfield and students can wait safely under the supervision of Havens staff or District staff, respectively, until the students are picked up by a parent or authorized person.  Havens staff will activate the auto-dialer to inform parents of the location of the students and instructions for pick-up.  

§   An empty bus is on the way to Havens Jr.for PM pick-up. 

The students will shelter in place at Havens, Jr.Havens staff will activate the auto-dialer to inform parents of the location of the students and instructions for pick-up. 

§   A fully-loaded bus is on the way to Piedmont for PM drop-off. 

The bus driver will bring all students to Beach Playfield where they will shelter in place under the supervision of District staff until they are picked up by a parent or authorized person.The driver will notify the First Student dispatcher, who will notify Havens staff, who will activate the auto-dialer to inform parents of the location of the students and instructions for pick-up. 

§   A partially-unloaded bus is in Piedmont for PM drop-off. 

The bus driver will continue its usual route and stop schedule.  Only students who are met at their bus stop by an authorized adult will be permitted off the bus.  The driver will bring all students who remain on the bus to Beach Playfield.The students will shelter in place under the supervision of District staff until they are picked up by a parent or authorized person.The driver will immediately notify the First Student dispatcher, who will notify Havens staff, who will activate the auto-dialer to inform parents of the location of the students and instructions for pick-up. 

§   A fully- or partially-loaded bus is on the way to or from Havens Jr.and the bus is stopped because of road conditions or safety concerns. 

The bus driver will immediately notify the First Student dispatcher.  The students will shelter in place on the bus and the driver will await direction from emergency services personnel.  First Student will notify Havens staff, who will activate the auto-dialer first to inform parents that the students are safe and subsequently with instructions for pick-up.