Area IV Head Start Transportation Services would like to welcome you and your child to a new and exciting experience:
Riding the Bus!
The ride to school can set the tone for the whole school day for your child. We have compiled this brochure to give you some important information about riding the bus. This will help create the safest and most enjoyable bus ride possible for your child.
Please keep this brochure throughout the school year and refer to it if you have any questions about transportation. As always you can call 765-659-1100 if you are looking for answers to your questions.
Pick-up & Drop-off Address
Due to an overwhelming number of special transportation requests for daycare needs, each child is allowed only one pick-up/drop-off address which is consistent on a daily basis. Any permanent change in the pick-up/drop-off address must be reported to Area IV Head Start so that transportation services can continue. No more than 4 changes of address are allowed per school year.
Safety Seats
All the buses are equipped with safety seats.
This car seat is the safest way to transport your child to and from school as required by Head Start rules. Your child MUST get on and help with the fastening of his/her seat belts. It is important that your child learns how to unfasten him/herself in case of an emergency evacuation.
Pick-up/Drop-off Times
Area IV Head Start Transportation Services will provide you with the pick-up/drop-off times. Your child’s pick-up and drop-off times are:
Pick-up Time: ___________ Drop-off Time: ____________
You should receive this information approximately one (1) week before your child’s transportation begins. Area IV Head Start transportation services will also give the location where the bus will stop for your child. The location will be the safest place possible that is close to your home or daycare.
All children must be ready and waiting when the bus arrives. The bus will only wait for two minutes for your child to appear before it moves on to the next stop. All pick-up/drop-off times are approximate; please allow 10 minutes before and after your scheduled time for the bus to arrive. You will be notified as soon as possible if the bus is running more than 10 minutes past your scheduled time.
If your child is ill or will not be attending school please call one of the following numbers by no later than 7:00AM in town and 6:00AM in the counties so that the bus driver will know not to stop for your child:
| Carroll County: |
(765) 564-4376 |
| Clinton County: |
(765) 659-1100 |
| White County: |
(574) 583-8828 |
If you or another authorized person is not visible at the drop-off location, and you cannot be reached by phone, your child will be returned to the school. You will have to arrange to pick them up at school yourself. Any children not picked up when the school closes will be turned over to the proper child protection personnel.
Please escort your child to and from the bus.
Safety on the Bus
Please go over these procedures with your child:
- Children must follow the directions of the driver or bus monitor.
- Children must not throw things on the bus.
- No food or drinks are allowed on the bus.
- Do not play with the emergency exits.
- Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
- Keep all items in your backpack and your backpack closed.
- No backpacks with wheels and no bags without zippers.
- Use inside voices.
- Be nice to your fellow bus riders.
Safety Around the Bus
Please go over these procedures with your child:
- Stay a safe distance from the roadway: About 10 giant steps.
- No horseplay or pushing.
- Walk to the bus when the door opens.
- Use the handrail when going up or down the steps.
- If children must cross the roadway they must be escorted by an adult.
Field Trips
To enrich your child’s pre-school experiences Head Start occasionally has field trips. The Head Start teacher will send a permission slip home prior to the field trip to be signed by the parent. If your child does not have a signed permission slip by the day of the field trip he/she will not be transported to school.
Please remember – No slip, No trip.
Bad Weather Days
Please send your child to school in the appropriate clothing for weather conditions. Your child may need to wait outside for the bus, and at school your child will go outside to play if weather permits.
Occasionally it is necessary to cancel school due to weather conditions. When weather is questionable and you think school may be cancelled please check the following radio and television stations for information:
Television:
WLFI Channel 18 – Lafayette
WRTV Channel 6 - Indianapolis
WTHR Channel 13 – Indianapolis
Radio:
WILO 1570 AM
WSHW 99.7 FM
WWKI 100.5 FM
WMRS 107.7 FM
WXXB 102.9 FM
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Who determines the bus stops?
A. Bus stop locations are determined by the transportation office staff. Stops are based on safety requirements of state laws, Head Start regulations, and Area IV Head Start policies and procedures. If at all possible, stops are located to avoid having children cross a roadway.
Q. Why is my child on the bus so long?
A. Bus routes are designed to minimize the time a child is on the bus. Some routes in rural areas may exceed one hour due to the distance between stops. Sometimes buses are delayed due to stops taking longer because children were not ready. Bad weather, trains at railroad crossings or road construction will also cause the bus route to be longer.
Q. Can children be dropped off when an authorized person is not available at the bus stop?
A. NO. For the safety of your child, Area IV Head Start requires an authorized person to be present at the drop-off bus stop. You determine who the authorized persons are and provide Area IV Head Start your list of authorized persons.
Q. If I or an authorized person is not present at the drop-off bus stop what will happen?
A. The child will be returned to school and you or an authorized person will be called to pick up your child at the school. If your child is not picked up by the time the school closes, he/she will be turned over to the appropriate child protection personnel.
Q. What if I have a question about my child’s transportation?
A. You may call the Area IV Head Start Transportation office at (765) 659-1100 between the hours of 8:00AM to 5:00PM
Q. What will happen if my child is not ready when the bus stops at the appropriate pick-up time?
A. The bus will wait two (2) minutes, if your child is not present the bus will go on to its next stop. You then will be responsible for getting your child to school. The bus will not return that day.
“I hope you and your child have a good and rewarding experience
with Head Start this school year.”
LaDawna Roberts, Transportation Services Manager