Transportation

 

STUDENT SAFETY IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY

• A team effort is required by transportation and campus personnel, as well as parents and students, to ensure that each child travels to and from school safely each day. The following questions and answers may assist parents and students in understanding their role in helping transportation and campus personnel accomplish this goal:

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• What are the parent's responsibilities?

  • Parents or guardians shall be responsible and accountable for the conduct and safety of their children at all times prior to the arrival and after the departure of the school bus at the assigned school bus stop. View the Student Handbook. 

  • Have your child at the bus stop five-ten minutes prior to scheduled pick-up time. If a student is not present, the bus will not stop.

  • If possible, teach your child their full name, home address, and telephone number where an adult family member may be contacted in an emergency.

  • Review the School Bus Safety Rules with your child.

  • Remind students to watch for siblings at bus loading or unloading times, and encourage them to notify the bus driver of any concerns of a sibling not loading the bus, or getting off at the appropriate stop.

• What is the parent's responsibility at drop-off time?

  • In the event you are unable to be home when your child arrives, arrange an alternate plan with your child: where to go, a hidden key, talk to a neighbor, etc. Careful planning for the unexpected can greatly reduce your child's anxieties!

  • If possible, be at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to drop off your elementary aged child(ren).

  • A caregiver designated by the parent/guardian, which may be an older sibling, is required to be at the bus stop to receive their pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten student. To avoid missing your student, please be at the bus stop five-ten minutes before the bus is scheduled to drop off. The caregiver should approach the front step of the bus to receive their students. 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• What behavior is expected of a student while riding the school bus?

• All students are expected to follow the bus safety rules.

Bus Rules:

1. Observe same conduct as in the classroom.

2. Be courteous, use no profane language.

3. Do not eat or drink on the bus. Water is allowed.

4. Keep the bus clean.

5. Cooperate with the driver.

6. Do not use tobacco.

7. Do not be destructive.

8. Stay in your seat.

9. Keep head, hands, and feet inside the bus and out of the aisle.

10. Bus driver is authorized to assign seats.

How will safety infractions be handled?

• The bus driver will discuss the safety infraction with the student.

• The driver may elect to report the safety infraction to the parent and/or campus, using a Bus Safety Report.

• The campus makes the decision of what disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the district's Student Code of Conduct 

 

Prohibited Items

1. Tobacco, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or drug paraphernalia.

2. Weapons, explosives (i.e. fireworks), matches, lighters, laser pens or pointers. Any unsheathed pointed objects that could be considered dangerous to the safety of others.

3. Any article too large to be held in the student’s lap or imposed on others will not be permitted on the bus. This includes projects, sports equipment, band instruments, etc. Bus aisles should be clear.

4. Glass containers.

5. Live animals (with the exception of approved service animals) or insects.

6. A speaker or open music will not be permitted from a personal device in the possession of a student on the bus. Students must use earbuds to listen to their own music the parent has given permission to listen to. For safety reasons, we ask that only one earbud be used in case of an incident/accident so the student can hear the driver’s instructions for the safety of the rider. There are no exceptions to this rule.

The school bus is an extension of the classroom. All rules that apply in the classroom, apply to the school bus.

 

How to Safely Cross the Road

SAFELY CROSS THE ROAD WHILE LOADING YOUR BUS

1. Stay on your side of the road, far away from traffic. 

2. Look for the amber flashing warning lights. 

3. Wait for the bus to stop, flashing lights to turn red, and your driver to signal you to cross. 

4. Check traffic in all directions and then check again. Remember, drivers should stop, but they may not! 

5. Cross, walking directly across the street and checking traffic in all directions. 

6. Walk approximately 15 feet (or 10 giant steps) ahead of the school bus bumper and board the bus quickly. 
 

SAFELY CROSS THE ROAD WHILE UNLOADING YOUR BUS

1. Remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop. 

2. Look in all directions before exiting the school bus. 

3. Walk approximately 10 feet away from the right side of the school bus. 

4. Walk 15 feet in front of the bus. 

5. Walk to the edge of the roadway. 

6. When you reach the edge of the roadway, stop and look in all directions, making sure the roadway is clear and safe. Check for the red flashing lights on the bus. 

7. Wait for the driver’s signal before crossing. 

8. After the driver signals, walk across the roadway until you are even with the left edge of the school bus. Continue to look in all directions. 

9. Look at the driver and wait for his or her signal. 

10. After the driver signals, walk across the roadway.

In order to view your child's bus route, please review the instructions here.

Informacion de transport:

 

Login information is as follows: 

Username: student ID

Password: student birthday (example: October 1, 2005 = 10012005)

Versatrans e-Link:

To access the e-link to view your child's bus information, click here.

New Transportation App

The District is excited to announce the implementation of a new application called Versatrans My Stop® which will allow parents to track their students’ bus locations and arrival times, as well as receive notifications on delays. Parents can use a mobile device, tablet, or desktop to view this information through a web browser. This feature will start on August 12th with the new school year.

The app is available in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Once you download the app, parents will need to select Magnolia ISD. Username is the student ID and the password is the student's birthday with the four-digit year (example October 1, 2005 - 10012005).

     

 

The app should group all of a parent's children together. At the top of the screen next to the student's name is a drop-down arrow that should provide a list of all children. 

At this time, no daily bus passes will be allowed.

If your child needs to ride a different bus for a long period of time for approved after school care, please fill out an alternate route form. Please understand for safety reasons, if there are no available seats on a bus, alternate rider forms may be denied. 

Please allow up to five business days for Alternate Route Form approval.

Alternate Route Form

 

Permission to Drop Form

All Pre-K and Kindergarten students must be received by legal guardian or an authorized person. Any authorized person must be listed on a Pre-K/Kinder Permission to Drop Form and turned into the bus driver. 

Pre-K/Kinder Permission to Drop Form  - ENGLISH

Pre-K/Kinder Permission to Drop Form - ESPANOL

 

Special Education Transportation is offered as a related service through the Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students will receive services that are appropriate to serve them safely in the least restrictive environment. Guidelines should be addressed in terms of independence goals by the IEP team. Students receiving special transportation must be met at the bus by a parent or authorized person for their safety. Based on the ability of the student, transitional service or centralized service may be suggested by the IEP team. The parent would then have the option to note on the transportation supplement whether the student may be released by themselves at the bus stop or if they will require an authorized person to be present at the bus stop.

Note: In the morning, parents are asked to have students ready at the bus stop waiting for the bus five (5) minutes before pick-up time. In the afternoon, if no one is waiting at the bus stop to meet a student who requires a guardian at the stop, the driver will attempt to wait three (3) minutes, unless the stop is located on a busy roadway. If the stop is located on a busy roadway, the driver will not wait due to safety reasons and your child will be returned to their campus at the end of the route. After returning to the campus, the parent is responsible for transportation.

Any new students, or existing students, to Special Needs Transportation may take up to five days to schedule and route to a bus once we receive the IEP/ARD paperwork from the campus. This allows our routing department to route your child with the least amount of ride time, check the bus for appropriate equipment, revise the emergency evacuation plan, and for the driver to familiarize themselves with your child's information.

Special Education School Bus Service Guidelines

• Travel Distance to Stop: Students will receive service that is appropriate to serve them safely in the least restrictive environment. For many students with special needs, curbside service will be provided. However, other service levels, including neighborhood bus stops, may be used. 

• Travel Time: Travel time may change when modifications are made to a route. The district attempts to limit riding time to less than one hour when possible.

• Ill Students: Students who are ill should not be sent to school. A parent or guardian is responsible for taking the student home if the student becomes ill at school.

• Students Not Riding: If a student does not ride the bus for 3 consecutive days, without prior notification to the Transportation Department, the student will be removed from the route. In order to resume service, please contact transportation dispatch at (281) 252-2221, this process could take up to (5) business days to resume services. To cancel a pickup, please call the same number as soon as possible on the morning of pickup.

• Assigned School Bus and Time Changes: In keeping with the goal of serving students in the least restrictive environment, the District may serve students with special needs on one of a variety of school buses. Although efforts will be made to provide the same bus, it may be changed for operational reasons. The driver and/or aide will attempt to contact the parent to notify them of time changes if students are added/removed from the route.   

• Meeting Your Student: It is expected that a parent or authorized person will meet students who receive special transportation. Exceptions to this guideline should be addressed in terms of independence goals by the IEP team in which the student's Transportation Supplement must reflect that no guardian is required at the bus stop. If no one is present at the drop-off time to meet a “must be met” student, the driver will return the student to their home campus.  Courtesy calls will NOT be made to guardians to notify them of the arrival of the school bus. 

• Students and/or Guardians Not At The Bus Stop: If the bus arrives and the student is not at the stop or the guardian is not there to receive the student, the driver will wait three (3) minutes and then proceed on the route, unless your child's bus stop is located on a busy roadway, in which case the driver will not wait for your student for safety reasons.  Courtesy calls will NOT be made to notify parents of the arrival of the school bus. The Transportation Department is unable to provide courtesy calls due to the number of students being transported throughout the district.  Parents are asked to have students ready five (5) minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.

• Late Buses: There are extenuating circumstances that could cause a bus to be delayed. After waiting 15 minutes, parents should contact transportation.

• Specialized Equipment:  The use of equipment such as seat belts, child seats, and wheelchairs will be outlined in the child's Transportation Supplement.  Wheelchairs used as a passenger seat on a school bus should meet WC19 safety standards.  These standards are the guiding principles that encourage mobility device manufacturers to include crash protection when manufacturing their wheelchairs.

• Lost Items on Buses: Students may retrieve lost items from the bus on the next school day. Unclaimed items are turned over to the school.

• Cameras: Video cameras may be used on school buses to monitor student behavior. Boarding a school bus is considered consent to be photographed. Video images will not be made public.

• Alternative Service Addresses or Changes of Address: Due to program zones and the overall safety of the students, parents must inquire about their student needing bus services to a location other than their home address on file. Due to program zones and the nature of these routes, the request may be denied. However, if approved, it may take up to five (5) business days to begin services.

• Disciplinary Action: When unacceptable or unsafe behavior is observed on the school bus, the Transportation Department will be in contact with the SpEd Department and campus Administration.  If the behavior is related to the student's disability, additional support may be offered to the student and Transportation Staff to assist with a safer bus ride.  If behavior is not a result of the student's disability, the Transportation Department may issue a suspension from the school bus as appropriate by the Transportation Behavior Coordinator and SpEd Department.

 

MISDs severe weather procedures are developed to proactively protect our students and staff members. During an inclement weather event, we work closely with local and state agencies—as well as monitor weather alerts and broadcasts—to make the best decision for our students and staff members.

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION

Each year, parents are asked to complete an emergency release form to provide contact information in the event that the district needs to notify parents of early dismissal, delayed opening, or restricted access to a campus because of severe weather, a security threat, or another emergency cause. 

The district will rely on contact information on file with the district to communicate with parents in an emergency situation, which may include real-time or automated messages. It is crucial to notify your child’s school when a phone number changes. State law requires parents to update contact information within two weeks after the date the information changes. 

If the campus must close, delay opening, or restrict access to the building because of an emergency, the district will also alert the community in the following ways: Automated phone call, email, press release to the local media, announcement on the school district website, or other applicable methods.

How Do I Find My Student’s Bus Number?
To access the e-link to view your child's bus information, click here . Login information is as follows: 

Username: student ID         Password: student birthday (example: October 1, 2005 = 10012005)

Can The Driver Stop At My House To Pick Up or Drop Off My Student?
Transportation will have designated bus stops for students. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the stop, feel free to contact the Transportation Office.

Who Should I Report My Address or Telephone Number Changes to?
Contact the campus registrar to update address and phone number changes. Transportation personnel cannot make changes to student files. It takes 1-2 business days from when the information is updated in the school system for transportation to route your student to a new address. We encourage parents to update this information with the school as soon as possible to prevent delays in transportation services. 

My Student Left An Item On The Bus. How Can They Get It Back?
The driver will hold on to items left on the bus and the owner may claim items the next day. Should an item not be claimed, the driver will turn it into the schools lost and found.

What Happens If There Is Not An Authorized Person Out To Receive My Pre-K or Kindergarten Student?
The student will be returned to his/her elementary campus for the parent to come pick them up.

What If I Want My Student To Get Off The Bus At Another Address Other Than My House?
Students are only permitted to ride to and from their registered address on file with the school. If your child needs to ride a different bus for a long period of time, please fill out an Alternate Route form. Please understand for safety reasons, if there are no available seats on a bus alternate rider forms will be denied.  In the event an emergency arises, contact Transportation for assistance.

Why Does My Student Have A Seat Assignment?
Seat assignments are mandated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. If an accident occurs, the driver is to provide a valid seating chart to the officers when they arrive at the scene. In the event of a serious injury accident, this chart will help with identifying your student more expectantly. This will allow parents to be notified of their injured student and at what location they can find them.

Seat assignments are also a positive way for the ride to be consistent and safe for the riders. It is very important that your student understands the “Why’s of Safety” and their role in being a safe rider.

I Got Home Late And I Can’t Find My Child. School Is Closed And No One Answers The Phone.
Calling the Transportation department is usually the best option under these circumstances. The transportation staff can assist you in locating your child.

How Will I Be Notified Of A Change To My Child’s Stop Time, Stop Location, Or Bus Number?
If the change in time is less than five (5) minutes, the driver will notify the students of the change. If there is a time change of more than five (5), stop location, or bus assignment, the Transportation Department will send written notification home with the students.

Why Doesn’t Someone Call Me When The School Bus Is Running Late?
Situations such as traffic, road closures, weather, vehicle breakdowns or a late prior route can cause school buses to run late. Since we operate more than 100 buses daily, it is impossible to contact parents when the bus is slightly late. Office staff has no visibility as to which child rode the bus that day. However, we are in radio contact with all of our buses and when we determine the bus will be 30 or more minutes late, we attempt to contact the school.