Our fleet of 66 school buses safely transports about 2,800 students to and from school each day. They also transport students to many extra-curricular activities such as sporting events and field trips.  We employ about 80 individuals, which includes school bus operators, attendants, mechanics and office staff.

Student bus assignments are mailed home at the beginning of August each school year. The school bus stop location, bus number and pickup time will be included in this mailing.

The Transportation Information Form lets the teachers know where your child needs to go before and after school each day. Children that will be car riders or attend area day cares or babysitters must have this on file in the school and Transportation Department offices. Students are NOT permitted to board or exit the bus at any location other than the assigned stop.  No exceptions will be permitted.

State law requires students to wait at the bus stop before the bus arrives.  School bus operators are not able to wait at the bus stop for late students.

School bus operators need to keep to their time schedules as much as possible. Parents that need to speak with a driver should call the Transportation Department to arrange a telephone conference rather than talking to the driver at the bus stop. Also, parents are never permitted to board a school bus without prior authorization.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY RULES
Please remind your child to practice safe riding habits:
•    When riding on the bus, observe the same conduct as you would in the classroom.
•    Follow the driver’s directions.
•    Only cross the street when you see the driver lower his hand. This hand signal indicates that it is safe to
       cross the street. You should always check the street for traffic, too.
•    Do not run around or engage in horseplay while waiting for the bus to arrive.
•    If you drop something near the bus, never stop to pick it up. Instead, tell your driver that you dropped
       something and he/she will help you get it safely.
•    Stay in your seat. Remember the safe riding rule:  “back on back, seat on seat, and feet on floor.”
•    Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus at all times.
•    Remove all coat strings, book bag straps and other loose ties that can get caught in the door when getting
       on or off the bus.
•    Be silent at all railroad crossings so that the driver can listen for approaching trains.
•    Do not eat, drink or chew gum on the bus.
•    Cell phones and other electronic devices may not be used while riding the bus.
•    Talk quietly to your seat partner. Loud talk and yelling are not permitted.
•    Large items such as musical instruments may only be brought on the bus if they can be held in your lap.
•    Bus drivers are authorized to assign seats.

DON’T LOSE YOUR RIDING PRIVILEGES
Students that do not follow the bus rules cause the bus driver to be distracted, which can lead to accidents.  Bus drivers need to keep their eyes focused on the road rather than on the students.  Our Assertive Discipline Intervention Program is in place to correct inappropriate behavior and to reward good behavior.  Please stress the importance of appropriate behavior on the bus so that your child does not lose bus riding privileges.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(Cited from the Ohio Department of Education Web Site)

Q:    I cannot see my child’s bus stop from the house.  Are there state laws that set the standards for bus stop location?
A:    No law requires a parent to see the bus stop from home.  Students in Ohio may be assigned to a bus stop up to one-half mile from their home and we encourage parents to accompany their child to the bus stop whenever possible.  This teaches the child safe habits of walking to and from the bus stop and may give the parent peace of mind.  Bus stop locations are determined by each district’s Board of Education.

Q:    Are sidewalks required for my child to get to his / her bus stop?
A:    Many students walk alongside of roadways to reach their bus stop and in some instances no sidewalks exist.  While we understand this may be of concern in some situations, the Department of Education does not promulgate bus stop placement.  Issues relating to where a child’s bus stop is located and safety concerns along the way to the bus stop must be addressed with the district in which you reside.

Q:    I make my child wait inside of my house until the bus is at the stop.  I have heard this is not allowed – is this true?
A:    Ohio law requires children to be waiting at the bus stop prior to its arrival.  Bus drivers count the students at the bus stop before they load and as they get on the bus to ensure all children are safely on board.  If students are not waiting at the bus stop the bus driver cannot count them and cannot be certain the students are all safely on board.  Waiting at the bus stop before the bus arrives further ensures that no one chases after the bus – this is a very dangerous thing to do.  Many districts also instruct their buses to not stop at locations where no students are waiting.

ELEMENTARY ATTENDANCE ZONES
Bedford City Schools have a “sister-school” arrangement in the elementary grades.  Students that attend Glendale Primary School are promoted to Carylwood Intermediate School.  Those that attend Central Primary School are promoted to Columbus Intermediate School.  This arrangement provides continuity of instruction in the development of basic learning skills and helps children to build heathy, sustaining school relationships with peers in a challenging academic environment

Prospective residents interested in determining which school their child will attend can refer to the following lists.  These lists indicate which streets encompass the Central/Columbus school zone and which encompass the Glendale/Carylwood school zone.  Please contact the Transportation Department at 440-439-4234 if you have any questions.