Transportation

An ATR is an Alternative Transportation Request form.  The ATR is required if your child needs to be transported to or from a babysitter, daycare/childcare center or when the child has shared parenting and will be picked up or dropped off at two different homes.  The alternative location needs to be within the boundary of your student's school. ATR’s need to be on a set schedule and must be filled out annually. The ATR form can be found on our Forms page under Transportation.

No law requires a parent to see the bus stop from home. Students in Ohio may be assigned to a bus stop up to one-half mile from their home and we encourage parents to accompany their child to the bus stop whenever possible. This teaches the child safe habits of walking to and from the bus stop and may give the parent peace of mind. Bus stop locations are determined by each district’s board of education.

Ohio law requires children to be waiting at the bus stop prior to its arrival. Bus drivers count the students at the bus stop before they load and as they get on the bus to ensure all children are safely on board. If students are not waiting at the bus stop the bus driver cannot count them and cannot be certain the students are all safely on board. Waiting at the bus stop before the bus arrives further ensures that no one chases after the bus – this is a very dangerous thing to do.

Many students walk alongside roadways to reach their bus stop and in some instances no sidewalks exist.  There is no requirement of a sidewalk for a child to get to a bus stop.  Each instance is evaluated on an individual basis.

A child who has an I.E.P. does not automatically receive transportation unless the I.E.P. team writes this into the related services. If transportation is not included on the I.E.P. your child will be transported similarly to regular education students.

A place of safety is a location clear of traffic and away from the bus stop designated by the driver. In the morning students are to be at their place of safety prior to the bus arriving at the stop. In the afternoons, students are to remain at the place of safety until after the bus has departed.

IF YOU CROSS THE STREET TO APPROACH THE BUS:

AM PICKUP:

• WAIT for the bus at your designated place of safety at least 10 feet away from the roadway

• WATCH the driver for the proper hand signal.. 

• When the driver gives the signal, CHECK for traffic, then WALK straight across the road 10 feet in front of the bus to allow the driver to see all students at all times.

• ENTER the bus and sit in the assigned seat safely and quickly.

PM DROP OFF… CROSSOVER… 3 STOPS:

• STOP alongside the roadway, 10 feet away from the front of the bus. 

• WATCH for the driver's hand signal. 

• STOP at the left, front edge of the bus.

• LOOK for cars: left, right, left

• STOP at your designated place of safety

• LOOK at your driver and WAIT for the bus to depart, then proceed to the residence.

IF YOU DO NOT CROSS THE STREET TO APPROACH THE BUS:

AM PICKUP:

• WAIT for the bus at your designated place of safety at least 10 feet away from the roadway

• WAIT for the bus to stop completely, door to open and bus driver to signal.

• WALK to the bus and sit in the assigned seat safely and quickly.

PM DROP OFF:

• WALK to your designated place of safety. 

• LOOK at your driver and WAIT for the bus to depart, then proceed to the residence.

From rule 3301-83-08 of the Administrative Code 

Rules at the Bus Stop:

• Pupils shall arrive at the assigned bus stop 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

• Pupils must wait in a location clear of traffic and away from the bus stops.

• Behavior at the school bus stop must not threaten life, limb or property of any individual.

• Pupils must go directly to an available or assigned seat so the bus may safely resume motion.

Rules on the Bus:

• Pupils must remain seated, keeping aisles and exits clear.

• Pupils must observe classroom conduct, or the bus conduct established by administrators and transportation personnel, and obey the driver promptly and respectfully.

• Pupils must not use profane language.

• Pupils must refrain from eating and drinking on the bus except as required for medical reasons or as permitted by the school district for non-routine trips during which the pupils on the bus shall be supervised by a chaperone(s) as described in rule 3301-83-16 of the Administrative Code, a school administrator or school personnel.

• Pupils must not use nicotine products on the bus.

• Pupils must not have alcohol or drugs in their possession on the bus except for prescription medication required for a student.

• Pupils must not throw or pass objects on, from or into the bus.

• Pupils may carry on the bus only objects that can be held in their laps. Any objects that cannot be held must comply with the requirements set forth in paragraph (H) of rule 3301-83-16 of the Administrative Code.

• Pupils must leave or board the bus at locations to which they have been assigned unless they have parental and administrative authorization to do otherwise.

• Pupils must not put head or arms out of the bus windows.