ATASCADERO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL EDUCATION TRANSPORTATION

SERVICES INFORMATION

The Atascadero Unified School District has prepared this document to acquaint you with the rules covering your child's school transportation. We need your assistance and cooperation to maintain timely and reliable service. Your familiarization with the rules will aid considerably in the transportation of your child with the maximum service and safety.

Safety

Our drivers are required to have a high level of competency and skill to insure the safe transportation of your child. Atascadero Unified School District requires all drivers to attend safety meetings to improve their skills with special education students. In addition, state law requires that each bus driver has a valid School Bus Certificate, first aid training, pass a physical exam, pass random drug testing, and obtain traffic and criminal clearances. Our transportation assistants are required to have a valid California driver’s license, possess and maintain a safe driving record (DMV-H6), obtain criminal clearances, pass random drug testing, and have first aid and CPR Certifications.

School Bus/Van Equipment

All vehicles are inspected daily by the driver and at scheduled intervals by our mechanics. Buses are also inspected annually by the California Highway Patrol.

Student Absences

When you do not intend to send your child to school or will be picking your child up early from school, please notify the transportation office. Advance notice of absence is extremely helpful and in many cases saves transportation unnecessary miles. Please call 805-462-4250.

Student Misses Bus/Van

If your child misses the bus/van more than 3 days in a row without notification, transportation service will be discontinued until you call the transportation office to have service reinstated. You may call 805-462-4250.

Student Pick-up Procedures

All children must be ready for pick-up at the scheduled time. Many children and classes are affected by transportation schedules; therefore, drivers will wait THREE (3) MINUTES after arriving for pick-up and then proceed on their route. Drivers will not walk to the door to pick children up.

Student Drop Procedures

A parent or other responsible adult must be at home to receive the child when delivered by the driver. The driver should see this person so that the child can be discharged from the bus/van and the driver is able to proceed.

If you want your child left at home without an adult there to receive the child, please mark this on the Transportation Certificate authorizing the driver to leave your child.

Alternate Drop or Pick-Up

Children will not be dropped off anywhere other than the home address, unless a different address is written on the Transportation Certificate.

Moving

If you move or change your phone number, you must notify the transportation department at least FIVE days in advance. This will help insure uninterrupted bus service.

Wheelchairs

The safest possible equipment is used for tying down wheelchairs. WHEELCHAIRS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH BRAKES AND A RESTRAINING BELT PROPERLY MAINTAINED BY THE OWNER OF THE CHAIR. Transportation may be discontinued unless the owner properly maintains these devices.

Personal Articles

For safety reasons, large toys, glass bottles, insects, animals, balloons, or any other article, which may cause injury, are not allowed in the vehicles. The transportation department assumes no responsibility for lost items, but every effort will be made to locate such items and return them to their owner.

Route Changes

Parents should be prepared for changes in buses, vans, routes, and times of pick-up throughout the school year as a result of additions or withdrawals of students in the program. Route travel time will vary from route to route depending on class times and student home locations.

Route Times

Atascadero Unified School District is one of the largest districts in area size in the county. This condition makes the transfer of buses/vans necessary for some children. You can be assured every attempt has been made to make your child's ride as short as possible.

Delays in Routes

Weather or mechanical failures can cause delays in route schedules. The transportation office
will attempt to call parents as soon as possible to notify them of a delay.

Bus/Van Rules

• Sit down at once and remain seated
• No profanity
• No eating or chewing gum
• No fighting, playing, or loud conversations
• Keep all parts of the body inside the vehicle at all times
• Follow the driver's instructions at all times
• Use lap belt at all times

Each child on a school bus or van must behave in a satisfactory manner in order for the driver to be alert to the many hazards of driving. Since the safety of all children being transported is of prime importance, a child who behaves in an unsatisfactory manner may be denied the use of transportation.

Discipline Procedures

The driver initiates transportation tickets. Copies of the ticket are given to the principal and the parent. A phone call home to notify the parent will also be made.

Disciplinary action taken by Transportation will be as follows:

1. Warning
2. 3-day riding suspension
3. 5-day riding suspension
4. Exclusion of service. (This action may be necessary. If the misconduct is of such a nature that safe operation of the vehicle and its occupants’ safety are threatened.) In-Lieu of Transportation may be offered.

Note: Temporary denial or suspension of service does not mean a student is suspended from
school, only from transportation riding privileges.

We in the Atascadero Unified School District Transportation Department enjoy being in the business of transporting children. Our department strives to provide the best possible service and safety for ALL students. Special Education is an area that continues to grow. We continually update our equipment and methods to provide a quality transportation system for all children. The Transportation Department works with Administration, teaching staff and parents in order to provide a safe and effective service for everyone.

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