Please review the following operating standards for special education/preschool students’ bus stop procedures. These procedures are necessary to help accommodate students who require “specialized” transportation with a safe, timely, and efficient ride to and from school. We provide a corner-to-corner bus stop location for special education and preschool students that may require some extra planning by parents/guardians. These operating standards and procedures are imperative for the appropriate and safe transportation of your child. For a complete list of safety rules and regulations visit our website at www.nsd.org/nsdtransportation:
- It is required to call Dispatch at (425) 408-7900 option #2, when your child will NOT ride the bus to/from school. We would appreciate 30-minutes or more notice. Please leave a voice message with your student's name, school and bus number. Note: Drivers are not to use personal cell phones.
- After three (3) days of attempting to pick up your child with no prior cancellation, your student will be placed on hold until transportation is notified to reinstate.
- It may be necessary for the parent/guardian or parent designee to help secure their child in the car seat, safety vest, or safety belt as they load/unload the bus. Drivers may not get out of their seats while the bus motor is running on the roadway, and/or in a parking lot with other vehicles moving.
- It is necessary for a parent/guardian or parent designee to be available at the time your child’s school is dismissed. Due to absentees and/or road conditions of routes, their drop-off time can change from day to day.
- The driver must see a parent/guardian or parent designee before they can leave your child at the stop. This assures your child’s safety. Please note Kindergarten and Preschool students are required to have a parent/guardian or parent designee present at the bus stop when they are picked up or dropped off.
You must indicate on the Special Education Transportation and Emergency Information sheet an alternative person(s) or close neighbor(s) that you have given permission to receive your child if an emergency keeps you from meeting your child. If additional persons need to be added to your emergency contact list, please submit in writing via note or a Permission to Release form (that can be found on our website). Any person designated to receive your child must have photo I.D. with them when meeting the bus. Otherwise, your child will be returned to school or the Special Education department.
A safe drive is dependent on communication with the driver. If there is anything that could help the driver maintain a safe ride to and from school (medical, behavioral, special needs), please communicate this to your driver(s).
- Please notify the Transportation Department of any change to your students’ transportation plan. Any change requires a minimum of three (3) school days for the change to be implemented. This would include changes in daycare accommodations and address changes for pick up or drop off locations. You must also notify the Special Education Department as your move may change your placement program. In addition, it is important to please notify us immediately of any phone numbers that have changed.
- If you would like to cancel your student’s transportation, please submit a cancellation form (located on our website).
- It is important to be at your student’s bus stop five (5) minutes before the assigned pick-up time. Due to traffic, increased load counts, and needs of other students on each bus, the bus will not be able to wait if you are late. Please be sure to dress your student in appropriate clothing for the weather and time of year.
- For students whose stop location is at their residence (wheelchair, etc.), please be ready for the bus ten (10) minutes prior to and ten (10) minutes following their scheduled pick-up time. Your student must be ready and waiting outside when the school bus arrives. If the child is not out to the bus within this time or if traffic has been impeded, drivers have been instructed to leave.
- Drivers are not allowed to honk the horn or use personal cell phones to get your attention.
- Northshore school buses do not travel on private property.
Thank you for your understanding and support to improve the efficiency of our transportation system. Your cooperation will help us provide reliable service for all Northshore students.
Special Education Transportation Parent Copy
