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Back to School 2006

Riding the bus

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published July 30, 2006

Families with children registered in the school system should have received a postcard with their children's bus route information within the past two weeks. The postcard lists the assigned stop and the pick-up and drop-off times. It is the parent's responsibility to provide safe student transportation to and from the bus stop.

Parents also can visit the district's interactive Web site, http://edulog.pinellas.k12.fl.us/edulog/webquery/WebQuery.jsp, to locate bus stops and get route times. However, students must be assigned to a bus stop by the transportation department. Parents can contact the transportation department's call center at (727) 587-2020 for questions about transportation arrangements or to request a change in arrangements. The call center will operate from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday for the first few months of school. Regular hours will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

ON THE WEB

Whose responsibility is it to inform you that your child's bus will be late? What are the rules for bus stop placement near a sexual predator's residence? Who should you contact to request a crossing guard along your child's walk path to school?

For the answers to these and other transportation-related questions, visit www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/is/trans/faq.html.

STAYING SAFE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that while school buses are the safest form of highway transportation, the most dangerous part of the school bus ride is getting on and off the bus. Pedestrian fatalities, while loading and unloading school buses, account for approximately three times as many school bus-related fatalities, when compared to school bus occupant fatalities.

Young children are most likely to be struck because they hurry to get on and off the bus, have little experience with traffic, assume motorists will see them and will wait for them to cross the street, and don't always stay within the bus driver's sight.

Studies have also shown that many drivers illegally pass stopped school buses that are loading or unloading students.

These tips for keeping kids safe come from the NHTSA. For more bus safety tips, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/buses/GTSS/talkskoolbus.html.

GETTING ON THE BUS

Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.

Stand at least 10 feet away from the edge of the road.

Wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says it's okay before stepping onto the bus.

Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus.

Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus.

Be sure the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.

Stop at the edge of the bus and look left-right-left before crossing.

Tell the bus driver if you drop something beside the bus. Do not try to pick it up, because the bus driver may not see you and drive into you.

RIDING THE BUS

Always sit fully in the seat and face forward.

DO NOT distract the driver.

Never stand on a moving bus.

Obey the driver.

Speak in a low voice.

NEVER stick anything out the window -- arms, legs, head, bookbags, etc.

[Last modified July 29, 2006, 10:53:08]