Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please review and discuss this School Bus Rider's Manual with your children. We encourage you to read this manual and become aware of the bus policies of our school district. All of these policies, procedures, and rules are important. However, we would like to especially draw your attention to a few that deal with situations that have caused some confusion in the past.
TRAFFIC FLOW IN SCHOOL PARKING LOTS
All of the elementary schools have a defined traffic pattern. These have been done for the safety of the students, both on the bus and in the car. Please follow appropriate traffic signs and designations.
STUDENT SAFETY - TRAFFIC FLOW:
We ask all parents who transport their children to and from school to please utilize the designated drop off areas located in the front of the Tioga Elementary School and at the south end of the Middle School (near the Administration Building). These two areas were constructed to help eliminate the number of students being discharged from vehicles on the public road (Fifth Ave.) in front of the school buildings; especially at periods of high traffic flow from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. The entrances to the buildings are unlocked at these locations until 8:00 a.m.
Students discharged from vehicles along Fifth Avenue are exposed to a large number of cars and buses utilizing this roadway. A distracted student or driver could quickly lead to a tragedy. Help us avoid this:
- Use the designated student drop off areas
- Follow the instructions of school personnel directing traffic flow-these people are present for your children's safety
- Reduce the vehicle speed when in the school zone, this is especially critical on slick roads.
Please exercise caution in all parking areas. Keep in mind that pedestrians, some of whom are young children, can very unexpectedly dart out from between parked cars. MAINTAIN A SLOW SPEED IN THE PARKING LOT AREAS. Also remember that Fifth Avenue (the public road in front of the Tioga School Buildings) is the primary access for fire trucks and ambulances. Town of Tioga ordinances do restrict parking along this road as per posted road signs.
No vehicles are allowed in the High School or Elementary School driveways during loading and unloading of school buses in the morning and afternoon.
If you are not familiar with the traffic pattern at the school your child attends, please make it a point to ask the school principal.
In order to maintain a high level of safety while efficiently transporting students, our drivers MUST have the cooperation of both the students and parents. If the rules listed in the manual are followed, the drivers can concentrate on their primary job - SAFE DRIVING.
We look forward to continued school bus safety and we do appreciate your cooperation.