Kessler ES: Transportation

Daily Commutes

• This is defined as the transportation of eligible DoDEA students from their assigned bus stop to school at the beginning of their school day, mid-day, and the return to their assigned bus stop at the end of the normal scheduled school day.
• Only one trip to and from school per day is authorized for each student.
• Transportation is not authorized to take students to their homes or to eating facilities for their mid-day meal.
• Only students attending DoDEA schools, bus drivers, dispatchers, STO personnel, assigned safety/security attendants, community bus monitors, and security personnel assigned by the installation commander are authorized to ride daily commuting services.

Walking Distances

The walking distance for Elementary  School students will not normally exceed 1 mile from their primary residence to the school or designated bus stop. Middle and High School students   may walk up to 1.5 miles from their primary residence to the school or designated bus stop. These distances may be slightly expanded or contracted to conform to natural boundaries such as housing areas or neighborhoods. 

Note: See military installation “Child Supervisory Guidelines” for guidance and standards for what ages can walk to or from school unattended

Commuting Areas

The school commuting area is defined as a specific geographic area used to determine eligibility for transportation of dependent students to a DoDEA school. Each school will have its own defined commuting area. School bus services will be provided to all authorized students residing outside the walking distance and within the designated commuting area. The commuting area will be based on the availability of housing within the proximity of the school and will not normally exceed 1 hour in commute time.

Assigned Buses

Students are assigned to buses and bus stops. No change in either bus or stop is permitted without the Transportation Director's approval. Failure to ride the assigned bus to/from the assigned bus stop may jeopardize the safety of students and may result in disciplinary action

Bus Pass/Request

A written request from a parent/guardian is required for a student to ride a different bus or get off at a different stop. The request must include student name, parent/guardian name, and telephone number of parent/guardian. Any request that cannot be verified will be denied. All requests must be signed by a school or transportation official. If a student does not have a Bus Pass/Request, he/she cannot ride home on a different bus or get off at a different stop. Students will not be dropped off at other than approved bus stops.

Other Student Transportation Authorizations

Daily round trip transportation may be provided to students residing outside the commuting area but are transported at their own expense to an existing school bus stop within the commuting area during emergency or displacement situations. 

Requirements for Students with Disabilities

1. Special emphasis will be placed on meeting the transportation needs of students with disabilities. The Case Study Committee must consider the special needs of the individual student, including transporting students in the least restrictive environment, when determining appropriate transportation services for each student with a disability. Special transportation services that are prescribed in a student’s IEP by the Case Study Committee of the receiving school, a Special Education Hearing Officer, or a court must be provided.
2. Examples of special services that may be required include, but are not limited to, curb-to-curb transportation between the student’s residence and the school, establishment of a special bus stop within a designated distance of the student’s residence, use of a special safety harness, transportation of a seeing eye or hearing dog, or assignment of a one-on-one attendant, or aide, for physically disabled or physically aggressive students. Curb-to-curb service will not be provided to students who live within the walking area of the school that have a disability that does not prohibit them from walking, or being escorted by the sponsor or guardian, to and from school safely.
3. Vehicles used solely to transport students with disabilities will be equipped with a seat belt or child safety restraint system for each passenger, in accordance with federal and State guidelines.

Related Services

A transportation service for students with disabilities may be authorized to designated public or private schools in the event the DoD schools are unable to meet the curriculum as described in the student’s IEP.

Curricular activities

School-sponsored activities designed to provide students the opportunity to participate on an individual or group basis in public events in other than the school environment for enjoyment, motivation, and improvement of skills.

Behavior on DoDEA Buses

DoDEA Student School Bus Behavior Management Policy (Enclosure 8 of DoDEA Regulation 2051.1 ) 

Students are responsible for:

• Complying with the behavior standards for school bus students.
• Obeying the instructions of bus drivers, DoDEA personnel, and military officials.
• Attending and completing school bus safety training sessions when offered by the school or military installation.

School Bus Safely

Riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right or entitlement, and safety is paramount. Even one child's misbehavior can interfere with safe operation of the bus and endanger everyone on board, disciplinary action on reported infractions may be taken, to include temporary suspension or permanent revocation from riding the bus.

On & Around the School Bus Students - Will:

1. Comply with all school rules with the "Behavior Standards for School Bus Students.
2. Board and exit the bus in an orderly, safe manner.
3. Present bus pass when boarding the bus, and upon demand.
4. Remain seated while on the bus.
5. Talk with other passengers in a normal voice.
6. Keep all parts of the body inside the bus windows.
7. Keep aisles, steps, and empty seats free from obstruction.
8. Remain fully and properly clothed.
9. Treat the driver and fellow students with respect.
10. Promptly comply with the bus driver's or monitor's instructions.
11. Treat the bus and other private property with care.

Will Not:

1. Fight, push, shove, or trip other passengers
2. Use or possess unacceptable items identified in the school "Code of Conduct."
3. Push while boarding, on, or exiting the bus.
4. Get on or off the bus while the bus is in motion.
5. Make excessive noise, or have any electronic devices as these devices interfere with radio communications the bus drivers use.
6. Put objects out of bus windows or hang out of windows.
7. Engage in horseplay.
8. Obstruct aisles, steps, or seats.
9. Engage in public displays of affection.
10. Eat, drink, or litter on the bus
11. Use profane or abusive language or make obscene gestures.
12. Spit or bite.
13. Harass, bully, or interfere with other students.
14. Disrespect, distract or interfere with bus driver.
15. Damage private property.
16. Sit in the bus driver's seat, or touch bus operating devises or equipment.
17. Open or try to open bus door.
18. Throw or shoot objects inside or out of bus.
19. Tamper with bus controls or emergency equipment.
20. Violate any other school rule, law or military installation regulation.

Additional Bus Stop Rules

1. Be on time (5 minutes before bus schedule time).
2. Always walk, NEVER run to or from the bus!
3. Stand back from curb (5 giant steps).
4. No pushing other students, or "playing chicken" with traffic or the bus.
5. Stand in single file line when bus arrives.
6. Wait until the bus doors open before approaching the bus.
7. If you must cross the street wait until the driver signals you to cross.
8. Never crawl under the bus, if you drop something tell the driver.
9. Pre-K- 1st grade students must have a parent, babysitter or older sibling with them during morning pickups and afternoon drop-offs.