|
Providing Transportation To and From a Child Care Facility
This document is an update of a memorandum dated August 25, 1995 from
the Department of Education to AEA Administrators and [LEA]
Superintendents. It was prepared by Carol Greta (281-8661) and Max
Christensen (281-4749) as general guidance to AEA and LEA personnel,
and is not intended as legal advice to the reader. It discusses the
issue of when free transportation from an elementary school to a child
care facility shall be provided.
 Child Care Facility Transportation
Guideline for the Safe Transportation of Pre-school Age Children
in School Buses
These are guidelines recommended by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration for the Safe Transportation of pre-school
children on school buses. We have been asked to make this
information available to schools (which we did originally
through the Director's Mailbag). We are still getting a good
many calls regarding this type of transportation and thus the
reason for placing it on the web.
Emergency Weather Procedures for Drivers
Tornadoes
Every driver of a school bus should have some basic knowledge of tornado
information and the precautionary measures to take when a warning or a
sighting is made.
1. What is a tornado?
Answer: A tornado is a violently rotating column of air descending
from a thunderstorm cloud and touching the ground. It nearly always starts as
a funnel-shaped rotating extension from a thunderstorm cloud, builds downward
to the ground and grows dark as it picks up debris.
2. Under what conditions do most tornadoes occur?
Answer: Tornadoes form several thousand feet above the earth's
surface, usually during warm, humid, unsettled weather, and usually in
conjunction with a severe thunderstorm. They require the presence of
layers of air with contrasting characteristics of temperature, moisture,
density and wind flow.
3. During what time of day are tornadoes most likely to develop?
Answer: Tornadoes are most likely to occur at mid-afternoon, generally
between 3 and 7 p.m., but they have occurred at all times of the day.
4. What direction does a tornado move?
Answer: Usually from southwest to northeast.
5. What is the length of a tornado's path?
Answer: Tornadoes generally average about 4 miles, but may reach 300
miles. A tornado traveled 293 miles across Illinois and Indiana on May 26,
1917, and lasted 7 hours, 20 minutes
6. How wide is their path?
Answer: It averages about 300 to 400 yards, but tornadoes have cut
swaths a mile and more in width.
7. How fast do they travel?
Answer: Average speed of a tornado is from 25 to 40 miles per hour,
but speeds ranging from stationary to 68 miles per hour have been reported.
8. Is it true that if it rains there is no chance of a tornado?
Answer: No!! Precipitation associated with the tornado usually occurs
first as rain just preceding the storm, frequently with hail, and as a heavy
downpour immediately to the left of the tornado's path.
9. Can you hear a tornado?
Answer: DEFINITELY YES!! A tornado has been described as a roaring,
rushing noise, closely approximating that made by a train speeding through a
tunnel or over a trestle, or the roar of many airplanes.
10. What is meant by a tornado watch?Â
Answer: A watch indicates an area in which atmospheric weather
conditions exist from which a tornado could develop. Tornado watch bulletins
always state that severe thunderstorm activity is also expected. A severe
thunderstorm is one containing either damaging winds (surface gusts greater
than 75 miles per hour) or hailstones at least 3/4 inch in diameter at the
surface of the ground or both.
11. What is meant by a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning?
Answer: A warning is issued when a tornado or severe thunderstorm has
been sighted in the area by severe weather spotters or radar.
12. What precautions should a school bus driver take when tornado conditions
exit?
Answer:
A. Abide by local district policy where applicable.
B. Be aware that the spring and fall months are most conducive to tornado activity.
C. Severe weather conditions should be discussed with authorized school
officials before leaving the school; particularly if the area is under a Tornado Watch.
D. If a Tornado Warning is in effect, buses should not be loaded and students
should remain in the assigned shelter areas inside the school building.
13. What should a school bus driver do if a tornado is sighted when on the
route?
Answer:
A. The driver should be aware of any or all areas along the route, such as
caves, basements, concrete bridges, and other substantial structures that could
be used as a tornado shelter.
B. If an adequate shelter area cannot be reached without further endangering
the students, a ditch or depression in the immediate vicinity will have to be
used. Evacuate the students into the shelter area, being sure that the bus has
been positioned far enough, and in a direction, away from the students so that
the wind will not overturn the bus onto them.
C. If a tornado funnel is sighted, it is best to evacuate the students from the
bus immediately into an appropriate shelter. Trying to outrun a tornado would
not be a wise decision.
D. Radios (AM, FM, or two-way) or other communication equipment should be in
operation at all times during threatening weather conditions. Even a portable
transistor radio is better than nothing during these threatening periods.
Blizzards
School bus drivers are faced many times with emergency situations during the
winter months. Even with the most modern equipment and improved roads, winter
weather can cause the most experienced driver much concern.
The following precautionary measures and emergency procedures should be
considered by drivers prior to the winter months.
1. Precautionary Measures:
A. Drivers should acquire knowledge of existing and possible weather conditions.
B. Drivers should acquire knowledge of weather bureau terminology.
C. If possible, start trip with a full tank of gas.
D. Check exhaust system for leaks.
E. If possible, notify parents when students will arrive home early.
F. Arrange for parents to call the next parents on the route and inform them of bus location.
G. Do not alter routes without authorization of school officials.
H. NO ONE should be allowed to leave the bus at any time, including the driver, except at regular stops.
I. Emergency items carried on the bus during severe weather might include, but not limited to:
1. shovel
2. large box of facial tissue
3. plastic scraper
4. towels - paper or cloth
5. blizzard bucket- 2 or more one-gallon cans with plastic covers (empty 3-
pound coffee cans) to be used for toilet facilities. These buckets can be used
to store candy or other non-perishable food items which would be most welcome
on a bus marooned for a period of time;
6. two or three blankets to use as partitions for temporary rest rooms on the bus;
7. box of old newspapers
8. other items which might be considered are a catalytic heater to supplement
or replace engine heat, booster cables and a tow chain or cable.
2. Emergency Procedures:
A. If bus is stuck and the engine is running, check for exhaust fumes. It may
be necessary to open windows slightly for fresh air.
B. The driver should remain calm and let searchers locate the bus. If
precautionary measures E, F and G are followed, the marooned time can
be greatly reduced.
C. Driver and students should stay in the bus and keep dry.
D. If there is no heat in the bus, have students clap hands, do isometric
exercises or other activities to simulate circulation.
E. If stalled on the roadway, keep flashing lights going for as long as possible.
F. Drivers don't over exert and be a dead hero.
Floods
Precautionary Measures and procedures
1. Never drive through water when unsure of the roadbed or hidden depressions
or objects.
2. After a flood, unless the road has been traveled, bridge approaches and
bridges should be checked before crossing.
3. Don't allow students to walk through water if the depth is unknown.
4. Check brakes periodically if driving through deep water which might get
into the brakes.
Agri-chemical
Precautionary Measures and Procedures
The driver should be alert to locations where agri-chemicals are being used
along the route and watch for potential hazards.
1. Portable tanks being towed or carried on other vehicles may release fumes
(that are not visible) when involved in an accident.
2. Bulk stations may also release deadly fumes.
3. Be aware of aerial spraying. Insecticides can be harmful to humans, as
well as insects.
4. If any of the above conditions are encountered, all windows and vents on
the bus should be closed.
|
School Transportation 
Nonpub Parent Trans Reimb Request Form (
Pre-Trip Activity Route (