Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
MICHELE MILLERThe district's transportation planner has some guidelines for motorists, parents and kids to ensure everyone makes it safely to school and back. More than 30,000 riders are expected.
You might have seen them on practice runs last week. But today those yellow buses are officially rolling, transporting more than 30,000 students to and from Pasco County schools.
That's a lot to keep track of (more than 5,000 bus stops) and will likely bring some kinks.
Some buses will be crowded, and officials will have to make adjustments. Bus stops will be added and deleted. Some might be moved. Then there will be the calls from frantic parents new to the area who realize when they see those buses driving by, that school is starting today.
But what's foremost on the mind of Mike Park is student safety.
Park, who is entering his 24th year as the school district's transportation director, has words of caution for students, parents and motorists.
To motorists:
"Slow down and take it easy. Watch out for us - watch out for those little kids. They don't think sometimes, and they dash out into the street."
Consider leaving a little earlier for work this morning to avoid getting stuck behind buses making their frequent stops.
Follow the rules of the road. When you see those red flashing lights and the protruding stop sign, STOP. Motorists on each side of the road are required to stop while children get on and off the bus unless on a divided highway.
For parents:
If your child does not have a bus pass yet, they will be picked up. "Don't worry - we don't leave kids standing at bus stops," Park said.
There should be a parent at every bus stop - especially at elementary and middle school. Students are not the school district's responsibility until they get on the bus, Park said."Kids will be kids. They're not always paying attention to traffic or other safety issues. A parent presence can make a difference."
Parents of kindergarteners or those new to the school should fight the urge to drive children to school today. "Please make sure you put them on the bus from their home bus stop so they are familiar with the procedure," Park said.
"Driving them the first day when they are going to be bus riders the rest of the year only adds to the confusion. If they're on the bus on day one, they will see who their bus driver is and be less likely to get on the wrong bus or off at the wrong stop. I know it's a big day, and parents like to videotape and so-forth," Park said. "But you can follow the bus to the school and then do your videotaping."
Tell children ahead of time that if they are confused about the location of the bus stop to stay on the bus and tell the bus driver. "Don't get off," Park said. "We have radios and will find out where the child's bus stop is." No system is perfect, and there is always a child that will get on the wrong bus or get off at the wrong stop. "We try our best to catch them - but with one person (bus driver) watching the traffic and all those kids loading and unloading, it's very difficult."
Review the bus rules with your children. They are listed below.
Parents should tag young children with their name, bus number and teacher.
Make a note of your child's bus number, Park said. "That way if a parent calls because a bus is late or there's another problem, we'll be able to get the information much more quickly."
Be patient. "The first few days we always run late going to school and especially coming home when schools take extra time to make sure students are getting on the right buses."
For students:
Pasco County Schools provide bus transportation for students who live more than 2 miles from school. General school rules apply on the bus. Other rules include:
Students should arrive at the bus stop five minutes before pickup.
Students should stand off the road while waiting for the bus and not approach the bus until the bus has come to a complete stop and the driver has opened the door.
Students must board and leave the bus at their assigned bus stop unless written requests for other arrangements have been signed by the principal.
Students must sit in any seat that has been assigned to them.
Students must remain seated properly while the bus is moving.
Students should use the emergency exit only in emergencies.
Do not distract the bus driver. Talk quietly.
Do not throw anything inside the bus or out the bus windows.
Do not litter, deface or damage any part of the bus.
Do not eat, drink or smoke on the bus.
When crossing the street after getting off the bus, cross in front of the bus. Do not go back to retrieve any items that might have been dropped.
Items not allowed on the bus include animals (dead or alive), glass containers, sharp objects, baseball bats, cutting instruments, batons, drumsticks or any other objects that could become dangerous projectiles during a sudden stop or accident.
Items larger than students can safely hold in their laps that interfere with seating, including band instruments, will not be permitted without prior permission of the driver.
Students who do not obey the rules may be suspended for up to 10 days or lose riding privileges.
NOTE: Information about specific bus stops can be found on the Pasco County Schools' Web site, www.pasco.k12.fl.us Transportation contact numbers are Northwest, 727 774-0540; New Port Richey, (727) 774-0400; Dade City, (352) 524-0560; Zephyrhills, (813) 794-0500; and Central, (813) 794-0520.
- Source: Pasco County Schools