Transportation

Bus service is provided to and from a student’s bus stop and school. Bus conduct rules must be obeyed. Failure to do so may result in the suspension of bus privileges. Parents are responsible for their children going to and from the bus stop and while they are waiting at the bus stop. Students who want to ride a different bus home, or get off at a different stop must have a note from home that is approved by the school office. Students must be at their designated bus stop when the bus arrives. Students are expected to arrive at the bus stop five (5) minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. Buses cannot wait for latecomers. Go back home for help if you miss the bus. Never walk to another bus stop. Never have parents drive students to another bus stop per GADOE rules. Only Emanuel County School students are authorized to ride the bus. The Transportation Coordinator must approve anyone else to ride the bus. 

Although we are committed to the safety of students on the bus and at the bus stop, there are situations that require your assistance and participation in order to ensure the safety of your children when walking to and from the bus stop. Sometimes, children can be exposed to a dangerous situation because of their own or other’s behavior.

School bus stops are now located as close as possible to the student’s home. Students are to use the stop closest to their home. If a residence is in a populated area, stops will be determined with the majority of student’s interests in mind. In other areas, such as housing developments or complexes, central locations are used as bus stops. State regulations require that bus stops be spaced at least one-tenth (1/10) of a mile or more apart on major highways. State provisions also require that children walk no more than ½ mile to their assigned stop. Emanuel County Policy states that students walk no more than 1/4 mile to their assigned stop whenever possible. Buses are not permitted to travel down private roads that are not county maintained. Exceptions are allowed in response to safety hazards that have been identified by the transportation department. Bus drivers are not permitted to deviate from their routes without permission from the Transportation Director. Buses are not permitted to travel on closed or flooded roads. Bus stops served by such a road will be temporarily relocated to the closest safe location. Service will be restored when conditions permit. 

Each school has an area of the campus that is used strictly for the loading and unloading of students from the school bus. Automobiles that are in these restricted areas pose a dangerous safety hazard to students and will be stopped or moved.

If severe weather should force the closing or early dismissal of school, local radio and television stations will broadcast information as soon as possible.

LACK OF SUPERVISION – Policy 2104.4     Georgia Dept. of Human Resources

• Children eight years or younger should not be left alone.
• Children between the ages of nine years and twelve years, based on level of maturity, may be left alone for brief periods of time (less than two hours); and,
• Children thirteen years and older, who are at an adequate level of maturity, may be left alone and may perform the role of babysitter, as authorized by the parent, for up to twelve hours. 
• Have an adult visible to receive your small children eight years or younger

PUPIL TRANSPORTATION DIVISION - Bus Stop Safety/Behavior

There are serious safety issues for students while waiting at the school bus stop. Students are responsible for their actions and behavior while waiting at the school bus stop. School bus transportation can be denied if students do not conduct themselves properly.

The following are essential behaviors for student safety while at the school bus stop. Students should:

• Get up and get ready on time. Arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to come.

Students have been struck by their school bus when they arrived late in the boarding process and the bus driver was unaware of their presence. The five minute target ensures the loading of the bus takes place in a routine manner, even if the student is running a couple of minutes late or the bus is running a couple of minutes early. Any break in the normal safety routine places the student in grave danger.

• Go back home and get help or phone for assistance if you miss the bus. Get someone you know to take you to school.

Never chase after the bus and never walk to another bus stop. Parents should never drive students to another bus stop. Your bus driver will not be expecting you and you will be in grave danger when approaching the unsuspecting school bus driver. It is better to be late for school and be safe!

Students have been struck by vehicles or by their school bus when they missed their bus and tried to board a school bus at an unscheduled stop. Any break in the normal safety routine places the student in grave danger.

• Have all items in your book bag before you leave home so you don’t drop anything.

Students have been struck by other vehicles when they dropped something and went after it at the bus stop or struck by their school bus when they dropped something and tried to retrieve it when getting onto the bus.

• Wait in a safe place, 12 feet away from traffic.

Students have been struck by passing vehicles at the bus stop when they got too close to traffic.

• Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger. Tell your bus driver, your teacher or your parents if a stranger tries to talk to you or pick you up.
• Respect the property of home owners at the bus stop and also keep the noise down.
• Respect the rights and safety of other students.
• Wait in a “single file” line or in an orderly group.
• Avoid horseplay.
• Refrain from pushing or shoving.
• Form an orderly line as the bus approaches, with the 1st student in line standing 12 feet away from the road.
• Keep electronic equipment packed away when preparing to board. Never use an electronic device or wear ear buds/headphones when boarding. You MUST be able to hear!
• Wait before moving to the school bus.