Q) Can my child ride one bus 3 days a week and a different bus the other two days?
A) Due to safety reasons and transportation efficiency it is mandatory to ride to and from school on the same bus.
Q) Will my child's pick-up and drop-off be at our house?
A) Students are assigned to the closest group stop (most allotment areas are group stops) in the morning and in the afternoon. During the midday run, we will drop-off or pick-up your child as close to your home as permitted by the area in which you reside.
Q) Are there any rules I should teach my child before school starts?
A) See the Student Safety Rules section for rules to review with your child. Children should be dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.
Q) How will I know what bus my child will ride?
A) Please visit our lakelocal.org webpage under Transportation and click on BUS STOP INFORMATION, this will take you to a link with instructions. If you still need additional support please contact us at 330-877-7551 and we can walk you through the process.
Q) Are kindergarten students permitted to cross the street to board the bus?
A) Students are permitted to cross the street to board the bus. The only street in the district that does not allow us to cross students is Cleveland Avenue (a four-lane highway).
Q) Should I be at the bus stop with my child to help him cross the street?
A) The bus driver will use hand signals for students that must cross the street. You should explain to your child to ALWAYS look at the driver and wait for the hand signal before crossing the street. This applies to when the children are getting on the bus at their designated stop or off the bus to go home. This allows the driver to check all their mirrors to make sure that all traffic has stopped. The stop arm goes out from the front of the bus which allows children to walk outside the bus danger zone. Also, ask your child to look both ways for traffic prior to crossing the street.
Q) What happens if there is an emergency situation on the bus?
A) Please be sure to contact our office if any of your emergency contact numbers change. If your child has a medical condition that you feel we should be aware of, please call the transportation office.
Q) What happens if the bus is involved in an accident?
A) Injured children are transported by E.M.S. to local hospitals. Parents are contacted to meet their child at the hospital. Children that are not injured are transported to their building for further evaluation. Parents are contacted to come and pickup the child after signing a release form.
Q) What happens if you drop off my child at the assigned time and place and I am not home?
A) Our responsibility for the safety of your child ends when we drop the child off at the designated stop / driver place of safety. You and your child should have an alternate plan in case this situation arises.
Q) Can my child ride home with a friend for a play date?
A) We are obligated to take your child from home to school and back home at the end of the school day. Requests such as these are considered unsafe and place a burden on our transportation system / drivers and will not be authorized. We encourage you as the parent / legal guardian to pick up your child from school if you would like them to spend time with their friends and take them to their destination.
Q) My child will be going to a local sitter or daycare. Will transportation be available?
A) Any changes shall be requested by filling out an Alternative Stop Form. Requests will be granted as capacity and route times permits.
Q) What is an incident report?
A) If your child does not follow the rules, an incident report will be filled out by the driver.
- The driver will explain to your child what rule they have not followed.
- If the behavior continues, the driver will contact you and ask for your assistance.
- If the behavior continues after parent contact, the principal will be notified and proper discipline will be given.
- Depending on the infraction, an after school detention, (ISS) in school suspension or suspension of bus privileges may result for 3 days, 5 days, 10 days, or the remainder of the school year.
Q) Are there items my child is not permitted to bring on the bus?
A) Children are not permitted to eat, drink, or chew gum on the bus (possible choking issue). Children are also not permitted to use cell phones while boarding or exiting the school bus, they must watch the driver for instructions. Any type of school projects or large items such as band instruments must be able to be held on the child's lap. The aisles of the bus must remain clear. We ask that if your child has something large or bulky that you transport them to and from school.
Q) Are there seatbelts on the bus?
A) For maximum safety the bus is compartmentalized. This means that the seats have high backs and are spaced appropriately that each seat section forms a compartment.
Q) What time do I send my child out the bus stop?
A) Your child should be OUTSIDE at the bus stop FIVE TO TEN minutes prior to the estimated arrival time and be prepared and dressed appropriately for weather conditions to allow for bus delays (i.e. traffic, mechanical breakdowns, etc.)