Transportation

Eligibility

Transportation eligibility requirements are as follows:

  • Kindergarten – Child must live ½ mile or more from home school.
  • Grades 1-8 – Child must live 1 ½ mile or more from the home school.
  • Grades 9-12 – Child must live 2 ½ miles or more from the home school.

The Greater Johnstown School District does provide transportation to parochial schools as long as the school is within 15 miles from your residence, you legally reside within the district, and your student(s) are eligible for transportation to your home school based on the criteria above. Please keep in mind that written requests must be submitted to the transportation department by April 1, prior to the school year requested.

Safety

Safety measures pertaining to transportation include carefully planned student instruction. Please keep in mind that the school bus is an extension of the classroom.

Please review the following at home

  • Be ready to board the bus when it arrives. Students should always pass at least 10 feet in front of the bus when the driver signals them to cross the street. Go immediately to your seat and remain there until the bus comes to a complete stop at your destination.
  • Bus aisles should be kept clear of all objects – including legs, arms, and heads.
  • Windows are not to be opened unless the driver grants permission.
  • Students should keep all parts of the body inside the bus at all times.
  • Students are not allowed to eat or drink on the bus.
  • Students are asked to speak quietly so that the driver will not be distracted. Refrain from speaking to the bus driver when the bus is in motion, except in the case of an emergency.
  • No articles are to be thrown from or on the bus. Throwing anything from the bus is not only a bus violation, but also a violation against the state littering laws.
  • No glass (bottles, jars, etc) is allowed on the bus.
  • No live animals, including snakes, frogs, bugs, worms, etc, are allowed on the bus. Parents may seek permission to personally bring animals to school by contacting their child’s school principal for approval.
  • No skateboards, roller blades, skis, golf clubs, fishing poles, plants, portable radio/tape/CD players, trading cards and the like are allowed on the bus.
  • Follow all directions from the bus driver.
  • Respect the health, safety and morals of others in language and actions.

Bus transportation is a privilege extended to students provided that conduct is acceptable. If a violation occurs, the driver will take reasonable action to prevent further difficulties. These actions may include a reprimand, a seat reassignment, parent contact and/or a written discipline referral to the student’s principal.

More serious cases may require termination of bus-riding privileges either temporarily or long-term. This decision will apply particularly to situations in which the behavior causes a clear and immediate threat to the safety and welfare of others. Persistent problems will result in the withdrawal of transportation privileges for an increasing length of time. The Superintendent will determine the removal of transportation privileges beyond five consecutive days.

Safety Drills

A minimum of three emergency bus drills will be held during the school year. These drills will include information on the following:

  1. Use and operation of the emergency doors and windows;
  2. Fire extinguisher and two-way radio;
  3. First aid equipment.

Change in Transportation Requests

Any request for a change in transportation due to a change in address may be initiated in the main office. This request will be forwarded to the transportation director and may take a few school days to arrange. Plan accordingly.

Students who regularly take the bus to and from school may request a temporary change in bus (a one-day request to visit a friend or relative for example). In this case a written note from the student’s parent or guardian and a note from the parent of the student that is being visited are required. These notes should be turned in to the main office prior to the start of school. The principal will review the request and sign it if approved. The secretary will photocopy the request and return it to the student who will present it to the bus driver when he/she boards the bus.

Students who are not regular bus riders are not authorized to use them for any reason. If a permanent change is needed, e.g.- child going to a babysitter, a school bus transportation form must be filed. They are available at the school office, the transportation office or on the forms page. The form must be filled out in its entirety. Failure to fill the form out properly will result in the request being rejected. Please keep in mind that only one location may be put in AM pick up location and PM drop off location. This form may be dropped off at your child’s home school or faxed to the transportation office at (518) 762-3127. Changes become effective in 48 hours.