Shenendehowa buses travel more than 1.3 million miles a year. It takes a staff of approximately 250 people to drive and maintain our fleet of approximately 200 buses. Bus transportation is available to ALL students who attend Shenendehowa. Late buses are provided for middle and high school students who stay after school for activities.
Shenendehowa does not provide house to house pickup due to the large number of students. Bus stops are selected based on student safety considerations and route efficiency. These include (among others), the student’s age, the type of road, its speed limit, the proximity of residences, whether it is straight or curved, and the number of students needing pick-up or drop-off in the area.
For kindergarten students, the stop is located as close to the house as possible. Students in gr. 1-5 may be required to walk up to 2/10 of a mile to a bus stop and students in grades 6-12 may walk up to 3/10 of a mile.
If you have a safety concern regarding your child's stop, call the transportation department and it will be reviewed immediately. If it is a convenience request, please submit a letter to the transportation department and your request will be evaluated by the routing department.
Alternate Transportation Arrangements
Alternate transportation arrangements are not carried over for students that are entering first, sixth, and ninth grades. A new Alternate Transportation form needs to be completed for these transitional years.
Our bus routes are developed as efficiently as possible. On average our buses pick up 65 students, sometimes making as many as 25 stops. Because of this, ride time can vary depending on the school and pick up area. If you feel your child's ride is too long, please submit a letter to the transportation department and your concern will be evaluated by the routing department.
New York State Department of Transportation and federal regulations PROHIBIT bringing large items and musical instruments on school buses. All of the items that the child will be bringing to school should be packed in a carrying case, such as a tote bag or backpack, which must be small enough to be held on the student’s lap. Large items and food for class parties may not be transported by school bus.
The following items are a partial list of what is allowed on the bus if held on lap:
• Piccolo, oboe, flute, soprano clarinet, bassoon, snare drum, alto saxophone, French horn, trombone,trumpet, violin, and viola.
• Large items are not allowed on the bus – these include, but are not limited to: Alto clarinet, bass clarinet, contra bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, cello, guitar, tenor saxophone, tuba, baritone horn, string bass, large school projects, skateboards, bikes, fishing poles, skis and poles, and sleds.
• Other items not allowed on the bus. These include, but are not limited to: Any weapons, pets or any live animals, glass containers, and aerosol cans.
Students should arrive at the bus stop
approximately 10 minutes early.
Students should wear a backpack rather than carry a tote bag, if possible, to keep hands and arms free. (If an item which is too large to fit in the backpack must be brought to school, please drive your child that day or make other arrangements for his/her safety and the safety of the others riding the bus.) Nothing should be dangling from students clothing or backpack (i.e. key changes, strings, etc.).
Good behavior is important to ensure a safe and pleasant ride for our students. Of course, kids will be active, particularly during the afternoon ride. However, they are expected to stay in the bus seats, speak in "inside" voices and listen for driver’s instructions (and only the driver’s instruction, particularly when crossing in front of t he bus).
Please teach your children to be careful in
the danger zones. Ten feet around the perimeter of a bus is the
danger zone. The most dangerous spots are in the front and back
right corner. Please be aware:
Our drivers are trained to be aware of conditions along the route
such as sudden thunderstorms or unusual occurrences in a
neighborhood such as an unfamiliar car. However, it is still
important to advise your children to go directly home or directly
to their child care location.
Video cameras are used on our buses on a rotating basis to help monitor activity on the bus and also to reinforce acceptable behavior.
Please use parking areas, not bus ports for drop off and pick up of students. Bus ports are for buses only.
Speed limit is 15 m.p.h. on school property (including the entire main campus), New York State law applies: Do not pass any bus with its red lights flashing.
At each stop, the driver will carefully observe the number of students crossing and account for all these students. The driver shall not open the door of the school bus until she/he observes that the road is clear and that no danger exists.
The driver - when receiving or discharging students who must cross a street - shall instruct the students to:
• Look left and right before stepping off the bus.
• Walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus within the vision of the driver (if the child can’t see the driver, then the driver cannot see the child).
• Wait for the driver to signal before crossing.
• Before passing the bus, stop and look left and right, then proceed across the street.
• If driver blows the horn, student should return to the side of the road.
• At no time should students return to the bus after crossing.
