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The Columbia School District provides transportation to and from school for all resident
students in grades kindergarten through seven (K-7) who reside one (1)
mile or more from their school of attendance, and for all resident
students in grades eight through twelve (8-12) who reside two (2) miles
or more from their school of attendance. As a general rule, bus stops will be established at locations which will require no student within the city limits or within an organized subdivision to walk more than two blocks and no other students to walk more than 1/4 mile. Dead-end streets or roads, or other unusual situations, may result in an exception to this rule. Exceptions will be determined by district personnel. Parents of students ineligible for transportation per the above-referenced district policy may, on an individual basis, contract with First Student for transportation service. This service will be provided if requested by parents, but only in those cases where the number of students and the routes of travel justify such an arrangement. Pay ridership will not be considered if it requires additional bus routes or a significant deviation to an existing route. The per-student cost of pay ridership for the 2011-12 school year is $148.10 per semester. |
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY
Parents/guardians are responsible for the supervision of their children
to, from, and while at school bus stops. Students should always use their
assigned bus stop. Students should arrive at their assigned bus stop
five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled stop time.
District school buses are considered extensions of the school
environment. Any student whose conduct on district transportation is
improper or jeopardizes the safety of other students may be suspended
from district transportation services and may be disciplined in
accordance with district policy. Uniform rules of conduct and
disciplinary measures will be enforced. When a student does not exhibit
proper conduct on a bus, the building principal shall be notified in
writing by the school bus driver. Any offense committed by a student on
district-provided transportation shall be punished in the same manner as
if the offense had been committed at the student's assigned school.
Students who become a serious disciplinary problem on school
transportation will have their riding privileges suspended by the
principal. In such cases, the parents/guardians of the children involved
shall become responsible for the transportation of their children to and
from school.
SCHOOL BUS RULES
To assist us in our task of ensuring all of our children are transported
in the safest environment possible, the district has established the
rules of student conduct listed below. Please take a few moments to
discuss these rules with your children:
1. Obey the bus driver. Follow directions the first time they
are given.
2. Keep head, hands, feet and objects to yourself and inside
the bus. Keep the aisles clear.
3. Remain seated in your assigned seat. (Back To Back, Seat
To Seat).
4. Do not eat, drink, litter, write on, or damage the bus in
any way.
5. Use respectful language. No loud talking or noises, no
cursing or swearing.
Severe: Fighting, Smoking or Carrying Weapons.
The Transportation Department wants to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and
efficient ride to and from school for all students. In addition to the
rules listed above, please remember a few additional tips for safe
school bus riding:
1. Leave home early enough to arrive at the bus stop on time.
2. Wait for the bus in a safe place. Show respect for others'
property.
3. Use only your assigned bus stop.
4. Never bring animals, glass, weapons, or explosive materials
on the bus.
5. Large objects such as hockey sticks, skateboards, ball
bats, large band instruments,
or other items that may cause a safety concern are prohibited
from being transported on the school bus.
Bus routes, schedules, and stops will be developed following procedures
set forth by the State Board of Education and local district policy. The
purpose of bus scheduling and routing will be to achieve maximum service
with a minimum fleet of buses and to render reasonable and equal service
to all eligible students.
Bus routes will follow the most direct routes practicable for bus travel
to serve those students eligible for transportation service. Where an
alternate route may be selected without sacrifice of efficiency or
economy, preference will be given to that route serving the largest
number of students most directly.
Routes will be designed to minimize turn-around points and to employ as
nearly as practicable the full capacity for each bus. New routes will be
established when the capacity of the existing routes has been reached or
is imminent.
Authorized bus stops will be located at convenient intervals for
students and in places where students may board and get off, cross
highways, and await arrival of buses with the utmost safety permitted by
highway conditions. The location of the students' residences, the age
and grade of the students, the road conditions and the funds available
will be considered when determining bus routes.
It is the district's intent to establish bus stops that minimize the possibility of students being exposed to registered sex offenders (as obtained from the Boone County Sheriff's Department). If you have knowledge that your child's bus stop is in close proximity to a registered sex offender's residence, you are asked to contact First Student at (573) 474-9473 for verification and consideration of a stop relocation.
Students will ride their assigned buses, getting on and getting off at
their regularly assigned stops, unless a note from their parent or
guardian authorizes students to depart at other than their regular stop
or to ride a bus other than their assigned bus. Notes will be subject to
approval by the principal or designee. In unusual or emergency
situations, parents/guardians may request to have their child picked up
or dropped off at a different spot by directly communicating to the
principal or designee.
If you have questions or concerns and would like to speak with your
child's bus driver, please phone First Student at (573) 474-9473. Please do
not delay the bus by attempting to speak with the bus driver at the bus
stop as they have a schedule to maintain. Additionally, please realize
that boarding a school bus without prior permission from the district is
considered trespassing in the state of Missouri.
Bus Routes
Snow Routes
Attendance
Boundaries
School District Map
District Policies
First Student Career Opportunities
It is important for all parents/guardians to discuss the DANGER ZONES with their children. Please instruct your children to stay 10 feet away from where the bus stops in the morning and to step 10 feet away from the bus when exiting. If students must cross the street they must always cross in front of the bus. Never cross behind the bus.
Trips to and from the school bus stop
Your family should plan the safest route to the bus stop.
When available, cross streets at corners using the crosswalk. Look in all directions before crossing. Always obey traffic signals.
Conduct at school bus loading zones and bus stops
Stand in a straight line or in a group facing traffic so you can see the bus approach the stop. Stand 10 feet away from where the bus will stop. Do not approach or rush to the bus until the driver opens the bus door.
When loading at school, follow the directions of the bus driver and/or the teacher on bus duty.
Never go under a bus to retrieve something you may have dropped. Tell the bus driver.
If you are running late and miss your bus, never run after the bus in an attempt to catch it.
If parents wait at the bus stop in their automobile, they should be careful not to park in the loading/unloading zone.
Students should always respect the rights and property of residents at or near the bus stop.
If you cross the street at the bus stop you must always cross in front of the school bus, never cross behind the bus. Always be cautious of the DANGER ZONES.
Parents/guardians are responsible for the supervision
of their children to, from, and while at school bus stops. Parents and
neighbors should consider creating a neighborhood watch to help younger
children get to and from bus stops safely.
Click here for the 2011-12 snow routes. If your address does not appear on this list, your child should go to his or her regular bus stop.
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Columbia Public Schools | 1818 W. Worley Street | Columbia, MO 65203 Phone (573) 214-3400 | Fax (573) 214-3401 | CONTACT US |
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The Columbia Public School District does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability,
age, or use of leave protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act, in its
programs, activities, or with regard to employment. The Columbia Board of
Education is an equal opportunity employer.
Inquiries regarding
Transportation
Department