The Student Bus Policy agreement can be filled out on line, printed or is available at Yates Dial-A-Ride, 1987 East US 10 in Idlewild during our business hours.  Forms are located right outside the lobby door on the stone pillar. Completed forms can be placed in the outdoor drop box. Please fill out both the Transportation Registration and the Student Bus Policy form.

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Bus riding is a privilege offered by the school district with Yates Dial-A-Ride and can be taken away for misbehavior. A policy of rules and regulations has been established for the conduct and safety of all students while riding DART buses. All buses are equipped with video cameras to help in safety and conduct matters.

It is the legal responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide the student’s transportation to and from school during any bus suspension. During any bus suspension, attendance at school is mandatory.

In general, all students are expected to follow the same behavior rules while riding a DART bus as they do at school. For serious infractions both DART and school, consequences apply.

In addition, all students in the school district are subject to the following rules and regulations for safe school bus riding:

Be at the designated place, both morning and afternoon, ready to board the bus at the time designated. The driver is responsible for the maintenance of the schedule and cannot wait for tardy pupils. It may be necessary to advance the schedule 5 to 10 minutes in severe weather. After 3 consecutive days of not riding the bus without notification, it is your responsibility to notify Dial-A-Ride to resume pickup service.

• The bus driver is in charge of the bus at all times. Students are expected to obey the directives of the bus driver promptly.

• Occupy the seat assigned to you by the bus driver. When seated, keep your feet out of the aisle and refrain from moving about while the bus is in motion. Keep all supplies out of the aisle.

• Wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before attempting to enter or leave the bus. Stay seated until the bus stops. This infraction will be a 5-day suspension.

• Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times.

• Help keep the bus clean and orderly. Use the container provided for refuse.

• No vulgar language. There is to be no name-calling. Please keep voices down.

• Avoid disturbing noises. Do not shout at passing persons or vehicles.

• Do not throw paper or other objects on or out of the bus.

• There will be no fighting or pushing on the bus or in the loading area. Horseplay and punching will not be tolerated.

• No weapons are allowed. Violation will result in automatic, indefinite suspension of your bus privileges and school consequences.

• No alcohol, tobacco, drugs, matches or lighters are allowed on the bus. No loud music.

• Report to the driver any damage you see on the bus.

General Offenses

Violation of Yates Dial-A-Ride rules of conduct will result in disciplinary action from a verbal warning up to and including possible suspension.
Please note: Parent and student must meet with Yates Dial-A-Ride student transit representatives following any suspension.

Discipline Policy

• Any student caught fighting while riding a DART transit bus will be suspended from riding the bus until conference. The student will lose the privilege of riding DART vehicles free of charge. The action is subject to review by the DART director.
• Any student involved with or carrying a weapon on a DART bus will be subject to the same disciplinary policy as students with a weapon in school, up to and including expulsion (according to the school code).
• Any student involved in disorderly conduct (such as loud, disruptive behavior, using abusive or foul language and failure to follow instructions of those in authority, etc.) while riding a DART bus or on DART property will be suspended for one week and lose the privilege of riding DART buses free of charge.
• Parents need to call Dial-A-Ride if your child will not be riding the bus for any reason. Failure to comply will result in being put on a must call list.
• Please notify the school office and DART NO LATER THAN 1:30 P.M. if you need to have your child dropped at their alternative stop.

Special Requests

Long-Term Requests: In cases where parents must arrange for the care of their child at other than their residence, parents will submit in writing to Yates Dial-A-Ride a request for transportation to an alternate residence or nearest bus stop at least one day preceding any proposed changes. The request will include the name of the person at the alternate residence, the exact street address, and the days of the week the student is to ride (every Monday, Wednesday, Friday for example). These requests will be considered with the Director of Transportation and will be honored if there is space on the bus and if it does not cause a deviation from the regular routes.

One Day Change Requests:

If your child needs to be dropped off at any address other than the alternate listed on your registration, you must call Yates Dial-A-Ride and the student will be charged $0.75, to be paid upon entering the bus. Students shall not be transported to different stops for birthday parties, social events, or any program not sponsored by the district.

Emergencies:

We realize situations may occur where a student cannot return home on his regular bus run. In these cases, the parents should arrange to pick up the student before school dismisses at 2:40 or to have a responsible person meet the student at their home or regular bus stop.

Other Requests:

Written requests not covered by the above-mentioned categories will be handled on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Yates Dial-A-Ride.

Miscellaneous

Student transportation is considered a privilege to be enjoyed by a student as long as he/she accepts responsibility for his/her own conduct, carefully follows all rules and regulations, and positively responds to the directions and requests of the bus driver. Buses will be servicing students on a daily basis or as many as needed to provide for student transportation and to maintain an open-door policy in services to all of Lake County residents.

Distance Eligibility:

Students who live 1-1/2 miles from the school which they attend shall be eligible to be transported to school. Under normal conditions, elementary students shall be expected to walk up to ½ mile and secondary students up to 1 mile to a bus stop; DART staff is authorized to make exceptions to these distances if safety conditions warrant.

Delta Door Stops:

Preschool students’ pickup/drop off will remain door-to-door. “The safety of our students is of the utmost importance.” We have scheduled stops in well-lit areas and away from traffic. Students requiring ADA specialized transportation will be transported on special lift-equipped vehicles, door-to-door. All students will be transported by the “Delta door stops” system. This system allows the bus driver to enter the students’ residential area and proceed to pick up past or between every two or more houses.
 

A parent must be present at the time of drop off for pre-school to elementary students.

 

TO: Parents of Pupils Riding Yates Dial-A-Ride
RE: Rules & Regulations

Both you and your child are being asked to sign (fill out) this confirmation indicating that you are aware of the rules and the consequences for breaking them. If you want your child to continue to ride the bus, you must submit this form signed (filled out) by both you and your child.