Alternate Transportation | Bus Stops | Riding the School Bus | Rules and Regulations | Bus Schedules and Late Buses
Alternate Transportation
How do I arrange alternate transportation for daycare or joint custody purposes? Parents who wish their child(ren) to be picked up, dropped off, or both, at a location that is different than the student’s assigned bus stop must fill out a Transportation Change Request Form: View the guidelines and request form for transportation changes. Please note: Children cannot be picked up or dropped off out of their assigned attendance zone or out of district.
Can my child get off the bus at a different stop in the afternoon? The school district’s Code of Conduct states, “Unless the bus driver has received prior authorization informing him/her of a drop off change, all students shall be discharged to their assigned bus stop.” In the event of an emergency, if your child needs to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop on the same bus, please send a note to the school with your child. The note must then be approved by the school office. If an emergency occurs during the day, please contact your child’s school office as soon as possible to arrange for alternate transportation.
Can my child ride a different bus in the afternoon? Board of Education Policy #745 does not permit students to be transported to alternate locations for jobs (including babysitting), social functions, scouting activities or religious purposes. Students who are not eligible for transportation are not permitted to ride home with a friend for an afterschool activity. In the event of an emergency and your child needs to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop on the same bus, please send a note to the school with your child. The note must then be approved by the school office. If an emergency occurs during the day, please contact your child’s school office as soon as possible to arrange for alternate transportation.
Bus Stops
What is the allowable distance my student can walk to a bus stop? Many bus stops throughout the school district are at central pick-up points, and may not be located near the student’s residence. The Board of Education has set the following guidelines for the distance a bus stop may be from the student’s residence. These guidelines also pertain to the distance in which a student may not be eligible for district provided transportation. The following distances are based on Board of Education Policy #741.
Grades K – 5: 1/3 mile | Grades 6 – 8: 1/2 mile | Grades 9 – 12: 1 mile
Can my student’s bus stop be relocated? School bus stops are established by weighing a multitude of factors existing at every stop in order to be sure that the bus stop is “reasonably safe”. When we receive bus stop change requests, we will consider these factors and visit the current and proposed locations to be sure they meet State Education Guidelines.
For more information on bus stops, please visit the NYSED website at this address: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/schoolbus/Parents/htm/school_bus_stops.html
I cannot see my student while waiting at the bus stop…can it be moved closer to my home? The NY State Education Department does not require that bus stops be within sight distance of a student’s home. There are also no assumptions made about how students will travel to the stop. Students are not told to “walk” to bus stops, because there are any number of ways for them to get to the stop—including parents driving them there.
Parents are responsible for assisting children to get to the stop and home from the stop. The district is not required to provide a protected corridor from students’ homes to the bus stop.
In response to legitimate concern and an understanding that most children do indeed walk to the bus stop, some districts do not require students to cross high traffic state highways or railroad tracks, or to travel streets without sidewalks or that are considered hazardous by other local criteria.
For more information on bus stops, please visit this NYSED website: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/schoolbus/Parents/htm/school_bus_stops.html
Do I have to be at the bus stop to pick up my child in the afternoon? School district regulations require that a parent/guardian or another responsible person be available at the bus stop in the afternoon to meet kindergartners, pre-kindergartners and Head Start students. Due to safety concerns, those children will not be dropped off unless a designated person is available, and will instead be returned to their schools. Responsible individuals include parents, older siblings and other designated adults with prior written approval from parents (please provide a listing to the transportation department of any designated adults for whom you give permission to pick up your child).
Riding the School Bus
Are there assigned seats on school buses? The school district reserves the right to assign student seating on school buses for safety, efficiency and disciplinary reasons. In addition, assigned seating is required on all elementary and middle school buses. Drivers should have assigned seats in place by early October after giving consideration to grade level, compatibility, behaviors, siblings, friends etc.
- Kindergarten students will be assigned seats toward the front of the bus.
- Assigned seats are subject to change at anytime during the school year.
If you wish to discuss your child’s assigned seat on the school bus, please contact the transportation department at (518) 587-4545.
How many students can ride a school bus? School buses are designed to safely transport 66 children with 3 children per seat or 44 adults with 2 adults per seat.
Can I board a school bus or ride on a school bus with my student? For safety and security reasons, unauthorized persons are not allowed to board or ride a school bus at any time unless prior approval has been received from the transportation department. This includes parents/guardians, daycare providers, siblings and underage children.
Will my student wear a safety belt on the school bus? Every school bus is equipped with color coded safety belts for each student seating position; however the school district does not require the use of safety belts on the school bus. Safety instruction is provided three times each year on the use of the safety belts and those students who wish to wear them are encouraged to do so.
Are school buses equipped with video and audio recording equipment? Each school bus is equipped with a video/audio recording system, and is capable of recording movement and sound. All buses purchased since 2006 are equipped with digital systems with 6-6 cameras in various locations on the school bus.
How many days can be recorded on a school bus video system? Typically, a hard drive contains approximately 1 week of video. When a hard drive reaches its capacity, the system will re-record over existing video footage. Therefore if your child reports an incident to you, please report the incident as soon as possible so we can investigate your concern.
Can I view a school bus video of my student? School bus videos contain images and audio of all students on a school bus therefore the privacy of each student must be considered prior to a parent being authorized to view a video. Approval must be obtained from the transportation director prior to being allowed to view a school bus video.
Rules and Regulations
Can students use their cell phone on a school bus? The school district’s Code of Conduct states that Cell phones and other electronic communication devices shall not be used to bully, discriminate, threaten, harass, or denigrate other students or school personnel. Devices may not be used while boarding/discharging or crossing, and during emergency situations or school bus safety drills unless authorized by the driver.
Can photos and videos be taken on a school bus? The school district’s Code of Conduct states that video/audio recordings and pictures are not allowed to be taken by students riding District buses
What should I do if my student’s cell phone is confiscated? The school district’s Code of Conduct states that any devices that is being used inappropriately may be confiscated by bus drivers and returned to the students when they depart the bus. If a student continues to use their device inappropriately, a discipline referral may be submitted, and the device may be confiscated and returned only to a parent/guardian.
Can my student bring their athletic equipment and school projects on the school bus? The school district’s Code of Conduct states Hockey and lacrosse sticks are allowed to be transported on the bus but must be stored at all times behind the driver’s seat. Other athletic equipment, musical instruments and other objects larger than 36 inches (length) by 12 inches (width) by 8 inches (depth) will not be transported on school buses. This includes skis, ski poles, sleds, skateboards, bicycles, fishing poles or large school projects.
Bus Schedules / Late Buses
What time should my student be at the bus stop in the morning? Students should arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled pick up time in the morning. Buses may run a little early or late due to traffic, weather conditions and number of students riding.
What time will the bus arrive when there is a 2 hour school delay? If school is delayed for any reason, your student’s bus will arrive approximately 2 hours after the normal time the bus arrives (i.e. if the regular pick up time is 7:35 a.m., the bus will arrive at approximately 9:35 a.m. when school is delayed)
What should I do if my student is not home yet? There are many factors that can cause a bus to run late including actual departure time from a school, traffic, weather conditions, # of students riding the bus etc. Please allow a margin of 5 minutes on either side of the normal time for the bus to arrive. After that, you may contact our dispatch office at (518) 693-1316.
Where can I get more information on afterschool late runs from schools? You may contact your student’s school for information on afterschool late runs including dates and times. For information on which bus your student should ride, please visit https://www.saratogaschools.org/departments-services/transportation/late-bus-guidelines-routes-and-maps/