Statement

STSWR prioritizes student safety. The following procedure outlines the shared responsibility in ensuring the well-being of all kindergarten students.

Procedure

It is recommended that all students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 be accompanied to/at the bus stop for safety reasons. Kindergarten students (JK & SK) must be accompanied to, from, and at the bus stop.

Do Not Ride/Return to Busing

If your student is bus-eligible but will not use the assigned transportation, parents/caregivers must complete the digital Do Not Ride/Return to Busing form. You may opt back in by resubmitting the same form, as long as your student is still eligible for transportation.

The Do Not Ride/Return to Busing Form is only for students who are eligible for transportation. It is not used to register a student for the bus. Not sure if your student is eligible for the bus? Click here to check!

First Riders Program

For new kindergarten students who will be taking the bus for the first time in the next school year, STSWR holds the First Riders Program on the first Wednesday of June each year. The event provides safety training for new kindergarten students riding the bus the following September. Families receive safety training & help familiarize students with the bus and make it easier and more comfortable for them to ride the bus to school. Emails/letters will be sent to parents/caregivers in the Spring.  Attendance is strongly encouraged.

Parent/Caregiver Communications

The below procedures regarding kindergarten drop-off will be communicated to parents/caregivers via email or mail before school starts.

  • Ensure your email is on file with your student’s school to receive these emails and check your junk/spam folder.
  • If no email is on file, a letter will be mailed. Verify that the school has the correct address, including unit numbers, to ensure delivery.
  • Parents/caregivers are responsible for student safety before pickup and after drop-off.

Morning (AM) Transportation – Home to School

Parent/Caregiver Responsibilities

  • Kindergarten students must be accompanied to, at, and from the bus stop every day by a parent, caregiver, or appropriately aged sibling (An appropriate aged sibling is determined by the parent/caregiver).
  • Parents/caregivers must have an alternate plan for transportation should your student(s) miss the bus.
  • Parents/caregivers are responsible for their student(s) while waiting at the bus stop.

School Responsibilities

  • School staff will be at the school to accept the kindergarten students in the morning.
  • It is recommended that a seating plan be provided for kindergarten students in the front rows of the bus.

Driver Responsibilities

  • Identify and seat kindergarten students at the front when possible, using the student list.
  • Ensure students boarding appear on the passenger list; if not, take them to school and notify staff that the student must be on the list in order to ride the bus.

Afternoon (PM) Transportation – School to Home

Kindergarten (JK & SK) students must be met at the bus stop in the afternoon. It is a requirement for the parent, caregiver, or appropriately aged sibling to come to the bus door and ask for the student(s) by name in order to promote a safe dismissal.

Parent/Caregiver Responsibilities

  • All kindergarten students are to be met by a parent, caregiver, or appropriately aged sibling at the door of the school bus (An appropriate aged sibling is determined by the parent/caregiver). If the designated person is absent, kindergarten students should remain on the bus and notify the driver.
  • Parents/caregivers are to arrange for another responsible person if they are unable to meet their kindergarten student at the stop.
  • If a student is not met at the stop, the parent(s)/caregiver(s) must pick them up from school.
  • Parents or caregivers acknowledge that failure to adhere to these procedures may result in the withdrawal of transportation privileges at the sole discretion of the school.

School Responsibilities

  • All Junior and Senior Kindergarten students are put on the bus by school staff according to their colour coded kindergarten (kindie) tag matching their bus route. The school is responsible for getting the students onto their correct bus.
  • Kindergarten (kindie) tags should be placed at the top of the backpack so that they are visible to the driver.
  • Schools are asked to train their kindergarten students about best practices for riding the school bus. (Best Practices)
  • If a student is not met at the stop, they will be returned to school. If the school cannot accept them, Family & Children’s Services will be contacted.

Operator Responsibilities

  • The Operator is responsible to provide training to the bus driver on the kindergarten drop off procedure, as well as the other best practices if a school should choose to use them.
  • If a parent, caregiver, or designated person is not present to meet a kindergarten pupil at the bus stop, the bus operator will try to reach the parent. Dispatch will also inform STSWR
  • If no one meets a student, the driver contacts dispatch, who informs the school.
  • If the parent/caregiver is unreachable, the student is returned to school.

Driver Responsibilities

  • Kindergarten students should be the last to exit the bus for a safe dismissal. Those waiting for an appropriately aged sibling should remain seated until their sibling is dismissed.
  • If no parent, caregiver, or designated person is present at drop-off, the driver must:
    • Contact dispatch, who will notify the school.
    • If the parent/caregiver cannot be reached, the student is to be returned to the school and met by a school staff member.