751.11 - KINDERGARTEN AND YOUNGER STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
On June 21, 2006, the Wisconsin School Bus Association adopted the following resolution at its annual convention:“In the interest of safety of our youngest riders, The Wisconsin School Bus Association recommends to the Department of Public Instruction and to local school districts that a policy be adopted that a parent or responsible person be present to receive a kindergarten or younger student from the school bus stop.”
The School District of Auburndale, along with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, supports these guidelines. The District defines a “responsible person” as an accountable individual at least 12 years of age that the student’s parent/guardian and District believes will reasonably guarantee the safe drop off of a kindergarten or younger student. The District further defines “present” as being located within twenty (20) feet to the road when students must cross a road or within an effective visual distance when the students do not have to cross the road.
Therefore, the School District of Auburndale sets forth the following Kindergarten and PreK Students Bus Drop Off Policy:
Before a kindergarten or Pre-K student is allowed off the a school bus, the parent/guardian or the responsible person must be viewed as present by the bus driver. If a parent/guardian or other responsible person is not present, the child will be transported back to the elementary school and taken to the daycare. Every effort will be made to contact parents or guardians before the student is taken to daycare. Parents/guardians will be charged for the use of the daycare.
Adopted: January 24, 2007
KINDERGARTEN AND YOUNGER STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
POLICY 751.11 (EXHIBIT)
Dear Parents/Guardians of PreK and Kindergarten Students,
As you may or may not be aware, within the last 18 months, two four-year-old kindergarten students in Wisconsin have been killed after exiting their school buses. In both cases, there was no adult present to meet the children as they left the bus, and in both cases, it has been reported that the child ran back to the bus as it was driving away.
In an effort to prevent such tragedies in the future, the Department of Public Instruction is asking school districts to adopt policies or guidelines requiring a parent or other competent adult to be present before a kindergarten or PreK student can be dropped off by a school bus. The School District of Auburndale has adopted this policy on January 24, 2007.
Before a kindergarten or PreK student is allowed off a school bus, the parent/guardian or other responsible person must be viewed as present by the bus driver. If a parent/guardian or other responsible person is not present, the child will be transported back to the elementary school and taken to the daycare. Every effort will be made to contact parents or guardians before the student is taken to daycare. Parents/guardians will be charged for the use of the daycare.
Please team up with us to make sure your child is safe. Please sign and date the attached form and return it to your child’s teachers as soon as possible. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter; we can never be too careful when it comes to our children’s safety.
Sincerely,
Elementary Principal
Kindergarten and Younger Student Drop Off Form
School District of Auburndale
I have read this letter and understand that my kindergarten or PreK child will not be dropped off at their school bus stop unless a parent/guardian or responsible person is present to supervise the drop off.
I also understand that my child will be transported back to the elementary school and taken to the Helping Hands Daycare in the building, where I will be charged the normal rate for the use of the daycare.
Date: ___________________________________
Child’s Name: __________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature: ______________________________________
(Note that failure to return this signed drop off form may result in problems for the School District of Auburndale transporting your child)
Posted: 11/15/2007 07:23:04 am