Orchard Park Central School District

Updated student transportation information will be available in the Parent Portal Labor Day Weekend.  Please click the Parent Portal link below.

ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

Transportation is provided for all of the children in the Orchard Park Central School District attending both public and non-public schools.

The school does not encourage students to drive cars or motorcycles to school unless transportation is needed in an emergency or for after-school employment.

Students who ride bicycles to school are urged to fasten them to the bicycle racks with strong locks.

Transporting personal property larger than 1x1x3 feet is prohibited on school buses. This includes the following musical instruments: baritone sax, French horn, cello, viola, tuba, large drum, baritone horn or any trombone or like-sized instrument measuring more than the specified size limit. Also prohibited is the transportation of glass containers, skateboards, roller blades, pets or animals, and class projects, sport equipment, etc., larger than 1x1x3 feet.

BE CAREFUL! School bus transportation requires responsibilities on the part of students, parents and bus drivers. If the following guidelines are observed, it will help us provide safe, economical transportation for all youngsters.

Students Should:

• Be on time (five minutes early is recommended) at the scheduled stop. The bus cannot wait. It will not pause or stop unless the student is out in front and visible to the driver.
• Wait until the bus comes to a full stop before getting on or off. Stand clear of the bus until it stops and the door is opened. If necessary to cross the road, wait for a signal from the bus driver and check the traffic before crossing.
• Enter the bus one at a time and go directly to your seat. Allow small children to enter first. Do not change seats unless instructed by the driver. Stay in your seat until the bus comes to a complete stop. Leave the bus in single file to avoid an accident.
• Don’t talk to the driver while the bus is in motion.
• Check your belongings before you get off — if something is lost, you can call the Transportation Department at 209-6237.
• Follow the bus driver’s instructions.
• Stay in your own space.
• Use quiet, courteous voices.
• Don’t bring live animals or other items of a dangerous nature on the bus. Smoking, lighted matches and other flammable materials are prohibited.
• Students must use their assigned bus. Drivers are not authorized to accept notes from home for students to ride a different bus. Principals or the transportation office may arrange for an alternate bus in case of an emergency.
• Children who abuse bus privileges by not observing the rules, according to the law, may be deprived of transportation.

Safety Tips ... As school begins, parents and teachers are encouraged to provide special emphasis on school bus safety. Among the top tips:

• I see you, you see me ... visual contact between the driver and student is critical. Students should look at the drivers’ face while waiting outside in front of the bus. The driver should be able to see the student, which means the child is out of the driver’s blind spot in front of the bus.
• Wait for the driver’s signal to cross ... Children can’t see traffic through the side of a bus. But, the driver, with side and rear mirrors, can analyze what is happening in traffic. The driver will signal the child to cross the highway only when convinced that traffic is controlled.
• Left, Right and Left Again ... When crossing a highway, traffic reaches us first from the left. So, looking Left, Right and Left Again greatly enhances the ability to safely cross.
• Use Backpacks or Bookbags ... Children are less likely to drop something that they’ll be tempted to dash into the street to pick up.
• Dress for Safety ... Remove drawstrings from jackets and hoods. Drawstrings, scarves and loose clothing can become caught when exiting the bus, creating a potential safety hazard.
• Dropping Off Elementary Students At the End of the Day

As a district, we are committed to the safety, security and education of all our students and believe that we need to be a partner with our families.  

It is the parent's responsibility to get their children to their bus stop and to supervise their children at the bus stop. (39 N.Y.2d 554) The student becomes the responsibility of the school when they board our district's buses, and the driver has full authority on the bus and may assign seats if necessary. The rules in the classroom apply to the bus as well. Respect your driver, as you would your teacher, and be respectful to your fellow riders by being courteous, speaking at a classroom level, and using proper language. If you will be unable to make it home in time to receive your elementary student, please make arrangements for someone to meet your child(ren) at their assigned bus stop or make arrangements to have your child picked up at their elementary school.   

Alternate Transportation Request

Please note that at this time, the district transportation can accommodate one alternate address for morning pick up and one address for afternoon drop off.   

Frequently Asked Questions:

What If I'm Not Going To Make It Home To Receive My Student?
If necessary, have someone meet your child at his/her assigned stop, or make arrangements to have your child picked up at the elementary school.

Does the District Provide Transportation to And From Licensed Daycare Centers Within The Orchard Park Central School District Boundaries?
The District will be providing transportation to and from licensed daycare centers even if it is outside of your elementary school zone.

Can My Child Ride a Different Bus If I Need Them To Go To A Different Location?
Students may only ride the bus to which they are assigned. Accountability is a major issue with transportation. We need to know what students are on every bus in case there should be an accident or emergency. Due to the number of students in the district, there is no way for transportation or the schools to keep track of daily changes. If there is an emergency, you must contact the transportation department for approval.

Could my child’s bus stop change?
Bus stops are subject to change at any time due to time restrictions and locations.

New York State Education Department Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Transportation:

Maximum amount of time a pupil can ride the bus?  http://www.p12.nysed.gov/schoolbus/Parents/htm/MaximumTimeThataPupilMaySpendonaBus.htm

Measurements to determine eligibility for transportation.   http://www.p12.nysed.gov/schoolbus/Parents/htm/measurements.htm

Transportation Safety Zones. http://www.p12.nysed.gov/schoolbus/Parents/htm/Child_Safety_Zones.htm

Late Request for Transportation to Non-Public Schools.  http://www.p12.nysed.gov/schoolbus/Parents/htm/late_requests.htm