Transportation
FORM – Request for Transportation To Private School Is Now Accepting Responses!!
Education Law § 3635-2. requires that parents submit a written request to their public school district, for transportation to a nonpublic school, by April 1, or when not residing in the district on April 1, within 30 days after establishing residency. The purpose of this deadline is to enable school districts to budget funds and make necessary arrangements to provide reasonable and economical transportation. No late request shall be denied where a reasonable explanation is provided for the delay or where there is no additional cost to provide the transportation.
If you have any questions, please call 518-692-9542 Ext. 6400
or email
Greenwich Central School District is dedicated to transporting students
in a safe, dependable and efficient manner.
The school bus is an extension of the school campus. To keep everyone as safe as possible, it is expected that bus behavior will be the same as classroom behavior, so as not to distract the bus driver.
– Students need to cooperate with the bus driver at all times
– Students must be seated, facing forward, with no body parts, or belongings blocking the aisle (17 NYCRR 720.4C 1a)
or extending out of the bus
– Students must remain seated, until the bus comes to a complete stop
– Profanity, quarreling, fighting, rough play or unusual loudness is a violation and safety concern
– Eating and drinking on a school bus is not allowed, for safety reasons
– Bus driver has the right to assign seats
– Nothing shall be thrown inside or outside of the bus
– Live animals, glass objects, weapons, items larger than the student’s lap are not permitted on the bus
– Students must use the assigned bus stops, as designated by the school district
– Students are expected to be at their stop at least 5 minutes early. Students running to the bus is a safety concern
Remember: It’s a privilege to ride the school bus. Safety is most important!
Please check out the following articles:
I. Safe Loading and Unloading a School Bus
II. School Bus Danger Zones
III. Railroad Crossings
IV. NYS School Bus Safety Drills
As we all work together, we can educate students on School bus safety, as well as educate the public about the dangers around a school bus.
I. Safe Loading and Unloading the School Bus
Loading the bus at your stop:
– Be at the bus stop 5 minutes early
– Stand still until the bus has come to a complete stop, eye contact has been made with the driver,
and the driver has signaled you to move
– If crossing the street: after the driver has given the Universal Crossing Signal:
– Check both directions for traffic and then cross swiftly, 10 feet in front of the bus
– Go directly to your seat, stay seated for the entire bus ride, following all bus safety rules
Unloading the bus at your stop:
– Stay seated until the bus has come to a complete stop
– Walk up the aisle, no running
– Check for traffic before you step off the bus
– If not crossing, walk 15 steps away from the bus
– If crossing:
walk 10 giant steps ahead of the bus, on the side of the road, stop and make eye contact with the driver
when the driver has given you the Universal Crossing Signal, proceed across, to the middle of the road
stop and check for traffic before entering the unprotected lane
(if the driver honks the horn – NYS Universal Danger Signal – return to the side of the road where you started)
proceed off the road 15 feet.
Also:
– If crossers and non-crossers are at the same bus stop, crossers will be discharged first and crossed in a group.
– Don’t try to pick up anything dropped near the bus – the driver may not see you
– Young students need to be taught to cross on their own.
– Older students must still follow crossing procedures “Safe crossing is a law”.
– Transportation makes every effort to be on time, but please remember “Safety first, schedule second.”
II. School Bus Danger Zones
Take a look at the illustration below. The Danger Zones of a school bus are the areas where it is difficult for the driver to see you. This is why we cross in front of the bus only, and at least 10 feet in front of the bus. Never be around the back of the school bus.
You will also note, on the left, the Danger from Passing Vehicles. It is State Law that all vehicles must stop for school buses with their red loading/unloading lights on. Drivers do not always stop. This is why when crossing, we walk 10 feet in front of the bus, begin to cross when the driver has signaled us, and then stop at the center of the road to check for traffic from both directions, before we continue across the street.
Always stay away from the DANGER ZONES around the bus.
III. Railroad Crossings
All school buses, including vans, must stop at Railroad Crossings, whether there are students on board or not, except where an Exempt sign has been posted.
When a school bus approaches a railroad crossing, all students must be quiet so that the driver can listen for oncoming trains.
IV. NYS School Bus Safety Drills
NYS Education Law requires that we conduct at least 3 safety drills each school year, on school buses.
Such drills shall include the location, the use and the operation of the emergency doors and windows, as a means of escape in case of fire or accident, and the location of safety equipment such as the fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
Drills shall also include instructions on safe boarding and exiting, with emphasis on how to approach, board, disembark and move away from the bus after embarking. Each drill shall include specific instructions for students to advance at least 10 feet in front of the bus before crossing the highway. Specific hazards encountered during snow, ice, rain, and inclement weather should also be addressed.
All such drills shall include the instruction on the importance of orderly conduct by all school bus passengers with specific emphasis given to student discipline rules and regulations.
Although the law requires 3 safety drills per year, safety is so important that it is addressed daily, by our school bus drivers.
