Transportation

Transportation Newsletter - Fall 2024

New Legislation to Promote School Bus and Driver Safety have been signed by the Governor
We are pleased to announce that Governor Whitmer has signed into law important laws to increase safety for students and staff on school buses.

Highlights of the laws include:

• Allowing stop-arm cameras to be installed on buses. Video or photography would be allowed as evidence for law enforcement prosecuting vehicles that illegally pass a school bus. Corresponding legislation will spell out other specifications for any camera usage.
• Setting a penalty for boarding a school bus without permission of the driver as a civil infraction, which is punishable by a fine up to $500. A civil infraction penalty for impeding the progress or operation of a school bus will also be established.
• Allowing a sticker to be affixed to the side of a bus stating that unauthorized individuals attempting to board are subject to a civil infraction and fine.

Click here to view the full press release.

Parents, students, and staff have available the latest information about Waterford School District transportation delays via the Messages XR Enterprise. Transportation will display messages when a bus is delayed 20 minutes or more due to traffic, inclement weather, or mechanical difficulties. The message will contain the bus number, route number, and building name. Please ensure your Messages XR Enterprise profile is updated to receive text and/or email messages. 

Parents should have a transportation contingency plan in place so students know what to do in the event of delay. 

On rare occasions when mechanical failures occur in a school building or when inclement weather develops after school is in session for the day, it may become necessary to dismiss school early. While this is not likely to occur, the following procedures are outlined for your information. 

School Closing and Early Dismissal Procedures

1. Local media will be notified of school closings. However, this method of communicating is not completely reliable since these messages are announced at the station’s discretion. 
2. Each school will communicate via Messages XR Enterprise. Building administrator will activate their school’s system when they are notified there has been a change in the normal dismissal time. 
3. The order of dismissal is: senior high, middle and elementary schools.

Service Interruption - Hazardous Highway Conditions

It is the policy of the Waterford School District not to operate its buses when weather conditions cause hazardous travel for bus riders. The decision whether buses will run when severe weather conditions are eminent is made by the Superintendent after consulting with public safety and school district transportation officials. The procedures followed to determine whether or not buses will run is as follows: 

1. A call is made to the Waterford Police Department for its appraisal of road conditions. 
2. Two or more school officials will personally inspect the various types of roads on which buses travel in the district. They will then meet at the bus garage where all available information is considered before the decision is made to run all buses as usual or cancel all buses. 
3. When weather conditions in your immediate area make your child’s trip too hazardous, then it is your discretion whether to keep your child at home. The Waterford School District covers an area of approximately 42 square miles, and weather and traffic conditions can vary significantly in these large areas. 

Service Interruption - Mechanical Breakdown or Traffic Conditions

Instruct your child to wait only a reasonable time for his/her bus (approximately 20 minutes) and then return home. 

Suggested Parent Procedures

All parents must ensure their contact information in Messages XR Enterprise is correct and up to date to assure all parents and families are notified of an early dismissal. It is imperative that parents discuss he possibility of early dismissal thoroughly with their children and make certain they know where to go when parents are not at home. 

Please do not call the Transportation Department regarding delays. Phone service must be kept free to handle emergency calls dealing with the operation of the bus fleet.

Bus Rules for Students - Waterford School District

Look for the student bus rules in the Student Code of Conduct booklets distributed by the buildings or on the district website. Please review these rules with your child to ensure everyone’s safety while riding the bus. The Waterford School District’s Student Code of Conduct Rules, regulations and Disciplinary Guidelines for Student Misconduct are in effect while using transportation provided by the School District.

The bus driver is not only responsible for the bus, but has complete authority to control the conduct of the bus passengers while in transit. All students will follow instructions issued by the driver. If any time, in the judgment of the driver, a pupil fails to follow instructions and is in violation of any of the “Bus Rules for Students”, the driver will issue a bus violation ticket or written warning completely filled out. A student receiving a violation or warning must have the ticket signed by one of their parents/guardians and then present it to the bus driver before the pupil will be re-admitted as a regular passenger on the bus.

In addition to the Student Code of Conduct, the following rules are important to the safe operation of the school bus and will be enforced consistent with the Code of Conduct and the provisions of MCLA Section 380.1311, as amended. Violations and penalties will be determined on an individual basis by the Bus Driver and Transportation Supervisor consulting with building administration as necessary. Discipline measures include
written warnings, restorative practice opportunities, assigned seating and suspension of riding privileges.

The following rules address serious safety violations and could result in immediate suspension of riding privileges.

1. Students are forbidden to do anything that is detrimental to the health and safe transportation of all passengers and driver. Examples: smoke bombs, ammonia bombs, lighting matches, firecrackers, coughing/sneezing powder, incense burning, spraying of any substance in an aerosol can, laser pointers and harassment of the driver.
2. Students are forbidden to throw any objects within the bus, out of the bus, at the bus or the bus driver. (i.e. snowballs, rocks, balls, beverage containers, writing implements, etc.)
3. Students are forbidden to hold onto the outside of the bus in any manner.
4. Students are not permitted to possess or use tobacco, alcohol, E-cigarettes/vaporizers or narcotics in any form on the bus.
5. Students will not mutilate or deface the bus in any manner.
6. Students will refrain from fighting while aboard the bus.
7. Students will never use the emergency door except in the case of an emergency.
8. Students are forbidden to use loud or profane language toward the bus driver.
9. Students will keep heads and arms inside the bus at all times.
10. Students will not tamper with any mechanism or switches on the bus, including the door.
11. Students are forbidden to carry weapons of any nature aboard the bus.

The following rules are not of as serious nature as the preceding list, but are still important to the safe and efficient operation of the bus and will be adhered to by all passengers. Any infraction of these rules will result in a written warning. A student who receives a written warning will be talked to by an administrator and the parent notified.

1. Each student upon boarding the bus will locate a seat, sit down and stay in that seat while the bus is in motion.
2. Students will refrain from using loud or profane language to other students.
3. Students will line up at the bus stop off the roadway. When the bus stops, they will file into the bus in an orderly manner. They will not jam the doorway.
4. Students will not put the windows down unless the driver gives permission.
5. Students should not attempt to reserve or save a seat for their friends.
6. Students will not bring animals on the bus. This includes reptiles and pets.
7. Students cannot eat or drink on the bus except in unusual circumstances where eating facilities are not available (i.e., field trips or athletic groups).
8. Students should get on or off the bus at the regular stop. Never ask the driver to make a special unscheduled stop.
9. Students will observe the following rules if it is necessary to cross the road after leaving the bus: Make sure bus is stationary.
10. After leaving the bus, go in front of the bus, within sight of the driver.
11. On signal from the driver or personal escort, look both to the right and the left and if safe proceed across the highway in front of the bus.
12. Walk (do not run) in front of the bus in crossing the road.
13. Students will not litter the bus at any time.
14. Students will refrain from scuffling aboard the bus.
15. Students will be seated as directed by the driver.
16. Students will refrain from acts of insubordination or insolence toward the driver.

The Waterford School District is accepting applications for the following positions:

Bus Driver | $19.00 – $21.10/hour
Flexible schedules. No experience necessary. Training class will be conducted.

Bus Aide | $13.00/hour

Applications must be submitted online via the District website at waterford.k12.mi.us. Click on employment

CDL Training provided throughout the year. Flexible schedules, competitive benefits package. Applicants must pass background check, physical exam and drug test. 

If you have questions please contact Transportation at 248.674.2692.

Applications must be submitted online.

Employment Applications

If you have questions please contact Transportation at 248.674.2692.

Transportation Safety Tips

DO:

• Leave some extra time in the morning to get to your bus stop.
• Wear bright clothing so you can be seen.
• Dress properly.
• Remember your book bags and keep all papers inside.
• Look carefully before crossing the street. Cars driving in snow will be focused on the snow and ice.
• Stand away from where the bus stops. Buses need extra room to stop when there is snow and ice.
• Walk directly away from the bus, do not stand and linger and play in the snow.
• Keep a safe distance from the bus.

DON'T:

• Play in the snow while waiting for the bus.
• Throw snowballs at the bus or anyone else.
• Slide on ice patches or driveways or in the street.
• Push or shove around the bus stop. Someone could slip on the snow and ice and slide under the wheels of the bus.

Safety Tips The following safety tips are provided by AAA Michigan.

Waiting For The Bus

• Arrive to the stop on time.
• Stay a safe distance from the roadway.
• No pushing or horseplay.
• When the bus arrives, stay away from the wheels.

Crossing In Front Of The Bus

• Stop at the edge of the bus.
• Look right and left.
• Look at the driver for a signal to cross.
• Keep watching for traffic as you walk.
• Never go under the bus to retrieve items!

Minimizing Health Risks for Students with Life Threatening Food Allergies

Food allergies can be life threatening. The risk of accidental exposure to foods can be reduced if we all work together to minimize risk and take measures to provide a safe environment for food-allergic students. 

Several buses have signs reminding students that there is "NO EATING ALLOWED ON THIS BUS". These buses transport students with food-allergy restrictions and it is critical they are kept clean. If your student rides one of these buses, they will not be allowed to have food out of their backpack or bring food items on, such as treats for parties. These restrictions must be strictly adhered to and we appreciate everyone's compliance to help minimize risk.