Transportation

Crossing guards are coordinated by the Fairfield Police Department. While the intent is to provide the crossing guard service at each scheduled time, parents and students are cautioned that circumstances beyond anyone’s control may result in a crossing being unattended without prior notice.  While every effort is made to avoid this situation, it is important for you to have discussed the possibility with your child and establish a predetermined course of action.

School bus transportation shall be provided for all handicapped children and for qualified children living in excess of the following walking distances from their neighborhood schools:

• Elementary School – 3/4 mile*
• Middle School – 1 mile*
• High School – 1 1/2 mile*

Is the linear measure of a prescribed or authorized pedestrian route between the pupil’s residence and his/her school from a point at the curb or edge of a public road or highway nearest the pupil’s residence to a designated point or points at each school site. “One mile walking distance” means a reasonable measurement of a route to be traversed extending from the point of measurement at least 5,280 feet.

A geographical location designated by the Board of Education or a designated administrator where pupils can safely wait for purposes of boarding or disembarking a school bus. Permanent school bus stops will not be established for regular school transportation grades K-12 which cause school buses to enter cul-de-sacs, unless this provision results in students walking greater than the established distance for their grade level.

The Board of Education or a designated administrator may grant an exception to this provision of the transportation policy where, in a peculiar condition or combination of conditions, a hazard is determined based upon the reasonable judgement of the Board of Education or a designated administrator.

Students living within the established walking distances may be provided transportation on a space available basis. This must require no change in bus routes, including bus stops. Annual applications for space available transportation should be made to the Transportation Office. Such students are still considered walkers.

The Fairfield Board of Education will not provide transportation for students attending elementary or secondary non-public schools in contiguous school districts except for students whose placement in said school is for special education purposes.

A bus driver is charged with the safe transportation of students to and from school and he/she must have the full cooperation of students on the bus at all times.

1. Students must carry their bus pass with them every day and show it to the driver any time the driver requests to see passes. (Middle and High School levels).
2. Students should be at the designated bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.They are to wait in a safe place and be respectful of citizens living near the school bus stop and their property.
3. Students are not to attempt to board the bus until it has come to a complete stop. Students are to enter the bus in an orderly fashion and go to their seats promptly. Students are to sit facing forward, keeping all belongings on their lap and remaining seated until they arrive at their destination. Pets, toys and skate boards are not allowed on the school bus. Nothing is to be put in the aisle or on the bus floor.
4. Students who cross the street to board the bus must wait for a signal from the driver before crossing and then walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus.
5. Do not put anything out of the bus window.
6. Loud talking, laughter and unnecessary confusion can divert the driver’s attention and could result in a serious accident. Ordinary conversation is permitted.
7. Smoking,vulgarity, or other improper conducts, are not permitted on the bus.
8. The bus driver, school Administrator, or school Dean, may assign seats to students, if necessary.
9. Students are to ride only the bus route to which they are assigned and get on and off at their bus stop.
10. There shall be no eating, drinking, or gum chewing on the school bus.
11. Middle School and High School students are to surrender their bus pass to the driver upon request.

The driver will report an infraction of the rules to the Transportation Office. The school administration will take appropriate disciplinary action and inform the child’s parent. Serious or continuous infractions may result in suspension of transportation privileges.