Bus Routes

Englewood Schools Transportation Bus Contract

The Englewood Schools Transportation Department takes pride in offering the best service to our students and their families.  All of our buses are equipped with the most current technology to ensure a safe, secure and comfortable ride. Our drivers have received and continue to receive training in driving proficiency, special education, mountain driving, and bus safety. In order to provide the best service to Englewood students and the community, we would like for both students and their families to know that riding the school bus is a privilege not a right. 

PARENTS: Englewood Schools provides transportation services on a limited basis as a privilege to eligible (in district) students; Regular Education school transportation services are NOT mandated by the State of Colorado.  Designated school bus-stop locations and the school bus are considered an extension of the classroom. Passengers are expected to respect the rights of fellow students, area residents and property, and follow ALL posted rules. Students will be under the authority of the driver at bus stops (during loading and unloading) and while aboard the bus.

Expectations of guardians of school bus passengers:

• Guardians of elementary schools must stay at the bus stop.
• Unless you sign the permission form for your student to walk home from the bus stop unsupervised, guardians of elementary students must be present (18 years of age or older) in the afternoon to receive their student(s) from the bus.  If a guardian is NOT present, and we do not have a signed permission form to walk home, the student will be returned to school where the student can be picked up. Failure to be present at the bus stop in the afternoons could result in loss of bus privileges.

Our goal is to assure a safe and positive experience for students who receive this service.  Please review the following rules and guidelines with your child – these expectations are necessary for a SAFE bus ride to and from school.

School Bus Safety Rules

• ALL EMS/ELA and EHS student(s) MUST wear their student ID at all times, or student(s) will be denied transportation.
   
• Passengers must immediately follow the directions of the driver.
   
• Passengers are to remain seated in a forward facing position while the bus is in motion. (back to back and bottom to bottom). 
   
• Passengers are limited to three students per seat as per Colorado Department of Education Regulations.
   
• Passengers shall not extend bodies into the aisles of the bus or out of the bus windows.
   
• Passengers shall keep all personal belongings in their lap or backpack and out of the aisles of the bus. (Backpacks are NOT to be worn while sitting in a bus seat)
   
• Passengers are to talk quietly to their peers.  Foul language, loud talking, insults, gestures, name calling, bullying and come-backs will NOT be tolerated on the bus.
   
• Passengers are expected to respect everyone on the bus.
   
• Passengers shall NOT consume food items or beverages on the bus, with the exception of water.
   
• Passengers will be picked up and dropped off at one authorized bus stop.
   
• Passengers are expected to arrive at least FIVE minutes early to posted bus time.
   
• Passengers are required to wait at least SIX (6) feet back from the actual pick up point and should not approach the bus until the driver opens the door for boarding.
   
• When exiting the bus, passengers are expected to communicate with the driver before crossing the street in front of the bus.  Passengers MUST wait at least 10 feet in FRONT of the school bus and wait for a designated signal from the bus driver before crossing. Passengers need to check for traffic in both directions.  Students should never cross the street behind the bus.
   
• If a passenger drops something under the bus, the passenger must alert the driver immediately.
   
• Fighting, harassment, spitting, horseplay, intimidation, bullying, tormenting, teasing, or inappropriate conduct with another passenger or passengers will not be tolerated. {Intervening with another passenger(s) behavior will result in a bus referral.}
   
• Unsafe behavior (standing up while the bus is in motion, sitting in the aisle of the bus, sitting more than 3 students in a seat, climbing under the seats and jumping on seats) may result in assigned seats, or permanent revocation of bus privileges.
   
• Passengers shall not tamper with the emergency doors or windows, or any other part of the bus equipment.
   
• Passengers shall not throw objects inside the bus or out of the bus windows.
   
• Band instruments larger than a CLARINET are not allowed on a school bus.  All Band instruments (Clarinet and smaller) or school projects MUST be held by the student or stored under the seat. CDE regulations state: All baggage, articles, equipment or medical supplies not held by individual passengers shall be secured in a manner which assures unrestricted access to all exits by occupants, does not restrict the driver's ability to operate the bus and protects all occupants against injury resulting from falling or displacement of any baggage, article or equipment.)
   
• Skateboards, Scooters (Razor Blades/Scooters), Bicycles or any type of BALL are NOT PERMITTED on the school bus.

Consequences

Failure to comply with any portion of this bus contract, could result in disciplinary action.  Bus drivers have the authority to assign seats as necessary at any given time throughout the school year. Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct will apply to all routes. Consequences are progressive and may include suspension of bus privileges. It is the school bus driver’s responsibility to report unacceptable behavior to the school principal, principal designee and the transportation supervisor.   Parents or guardians will be notified of any suspension of bus privileges, by the principal or principal designee. (Audio and video cameras may be used on school transportation vehicles when transporting students to and from school or extracurricular activities for the safety and security of passengers and staff.

• 1^st Offense – written warning to student/parent or guardian by driver, call home by transportation; assigned seat on school bus.
• 2^nd Offense – 5 school day suspension from riding the school bus, call home by administration from the student's school. (written documentation).
• 3^rd Offense – 10 school day suspension from riding the school bus/meeting with parent or guardian at school with administration (written documentation).
• 4^th Offense – suspended from riding the bus for the remainder of the school year.

Based on the severity of the student’s conduct, more serious consequences may be imposed at any time.  Depending on the nature of the offense, consequences such as suspension or expulsion from school may result from school bus/bus stop misconduct.

Students damaging school buses will be responsible for the damages.  Failure to pay such damages (or make payment arrangements) within two weeks may result in the loss of bus privileges until damages are paid.

Parents and guardians are asked to review this contract with their students. With the support of families, the school, and our staff we can ensure that all students have a positive experience. If an issue arises, our staff will communicate with your student’s school administration for resolution of the issue. Thank you for sharing this information with your child. We appreciate your help and cooperation.

**Audio/video cameras may be used on school transportation vehicles when transporting students to and from school or extracurricular activities for the safety and security of students and staff.

**We request that you review the attached bus rules and guidelines with your student so they understand what is expected of them in order to keep themselves and others aboard the bus safe.