Transportation

Interested in Volunteering to Drive? 

Here are the requirements for you to get verified to drive the TEA vehicles and volunteer on trips with us as well as to drive a personal vehicle with TEA students. 

TEA Vehicles

- Copy of Driver's License front and back

- DMV record (through the state your DL is from)

- Volunteer Mandated Reporter Training ( https://mandatedreporterca.com/ )

- TEA Driver Agreement

Personal Vehicles

- Copy of Driver's License front and back

- DMV record (through the state your DL is from)

- Volunteer Mandated Reporter Training ( https://mandatedreporterca.com/ )

- Signed TEA Vehicle Form

- Personal Vehicle Form

- Copy of Vehicle Registration

- Proof of insurance showing $300,000 liability

Pick up and Drop Off by Parents

Students are expected to be dropped off and picked up within the window of time that is up to 15 minutes before school and up to 15 minutes after school. Outside of those time frames, there is no scheduled supervision.

Pre-K-5th Grade

When approaching TEA Base Camp, turn left into 9765 Schaffer Mill Road, keep right at the roundabout, proceed until reaching the drop off zone. Please only use the drop off zone for drop off only. If you need to exit your car or talk to staff or other parents, please park in a parking space. The area should be kept clear for buses. Speed limit on campus is 15 mph.

6-12th Grade

When approaching TEA Base Camp, turn left into 9765 Schaffer Mill Road, keep right at the roundabout and park in the first set of spots on the left or right sides next to Building One. Speed limit on campus is 15 mph. 

 *Bus times may be adjusted in poor weather or road conditions.

School Bus Danger Zone

School buses are large commercial vehicles and are difficult to see around because of their size; therefore, they create blind spots where children may be present. Understanding the 12-feet danger zone area around the bus helps keep our children safe. Children should never go under or in front of the bus. Children should store items inside a backpack where they are less likely to be dropped under the bus. If any child needs to cross the roadway in which the bus is traveling upon, the driver shall escort the student across the roadway. Always slow your vehicle when you are around a school bus and stop when the red lights are flashing. Flashing amber lights on the school bus is a warning to slow down and stop for the subsequent red light flashing signal system on the school bus.

Safe Loading and Unloading Procedures

Procedures for all students to follow as they board and exit the appropriate school bus at schools, school bus stops, and/or field studies destinations.

• Students shall follow the instructions of the school bus driver, who is in charge at all times.

• Students shall board and exit the school bus only at designated bus stops.

• Students shall not approach the school bus to board it, or leave their seats to exit it, until the bus comes to a complete stop and the front entrance door has been opened.

• Students shall board and exit the school bus in an orderly manner.

• Students who require escort pursuant to section 22112 of the Vehicle Code shall:

• Wait for the bus driver to exit the bus first.

• After exiting the bus, cross the roadway only when the bus driver tells them it is safe to do so.

• Walk straight across the roadway between the bus driver and the front of the bus.

• After crossing, stay clear of the roadway.

• Students who do not require escort pursuant to section 22112 of the Vehicle Code shall:

• In an orderly manner, immediately leave the vicinity of the school bus.

• Stay clear of the roadways.

Who Requires Escort Across Roadways

Determining if students require escort pursuant to paragraph (1) (2), and (3) of subdivision (d) of section 22112 of the Vehicle Code.

• All students must be accounted for, by checking the student name on roster (route sheet), or by maintaining accurate counts.

• On route instructions, the school shall identify school bus stops where students may be required to be escorted pursuant to Section 22112 of the Vehicle Code. At bus stops, the school bus driver shall determine which students require escort.

• School bus drivers shall ask students at every school bus stop where students are unloading from the school bus, “Does anybody need to cross the street at this school bus stop?”

• School bus drivers shall escort all students who must cross the highway or private road upon which the school bus is stopped. The driver shall use a hand held stop sign while escorting all students.

• School Bus drivers shall ensure all students who must cross the highway or private road upon which the school bus is stopped to walk in front of the bus as they cross.

• School bus drivers shall ensure that all students who need to cross the highway or private road upon which the school bus is stopped have crossed safely, and that all other students and pedestrians are a safe distance from the school bus before setting the school bus in motion.

• All students transported by the Tahoe Expedition Academy needing to cross the street on which the bus is stopped, shall be provided escort service at those locations where traffic is not controlled by a traffic officer or an official traffic control signal.

• Additionally, drivers shall ask students at each stop if they must cross the street on which the bus is stopped to reach their destination. If so, the students crossing the street will be escorted. Each student being escorted across the street is required to cross under authority of the driver after unloading from the bus and crossing in front of the bus.

• The school bus crossing light system (amber lights, red lights, and crossing arm, if equipped) shall be activated, as required, when the bus is stopped for the purpose of loading and unloading students if the school bus is parked on a highway or private road, unless under the direction of a traffic officer.

• The lights DO NOT allow students to cross the roadway or highway unless the driver has positioned himself or herself upon the roadway, ensured traffic has stopped and that the roadway is safe for students to cross, and the driver has verbally instructed students that it is safe to cross the roadway.

• Many special education students must be met by a responsible adult. If no one is available to meet the student, the bus driver completes the route and returns to the stop, takes the student back to school, or if necessary will take the student to the Police Department (if applicable).

• Third through twelfth grade students do not have to be met at their bus stops.

• However, if a student is hesitant or reluctant to get off the bus at his or her stop, the student will not be forced to get off. The student will then be returned to school and every attempt will be made to notify parents.

• Buses are not allowed to stop at any place other than a designated school bus stop. Parents should not flag down or drive in front of a bus in order to stop it.

• When necessary to cross the street, the school bus driver must escort the student and always cross in front of the bus. Wait for the driver’s instructions.

• Respect the rights and property of others while at the bus stop and on the bus. Students defacing property at the bus stop or on the bus will be required to pay for damages and may lose bus-riding privileges.

Walking to and From School Bus Stops

It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to ensure their students arrive safely at the assigned bus stop and are ready to load the bus five minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time of the route. It is recommended that parents/guardians make arrangements to receive students when they are returned to their bus stop at the end of the day. 

• Parents/guardians and students are encouraged to develop a plan to ensure their student/s depart to school safely in the morning and arrive home safely at the end of the day.

• Go directly to and from the bus stop.

• Plan the safest route with the fewest streets to cross.

• If possible, cross streets at corners, using crosswalks if available. Look in all directions before crossing, and when safe, walk across the street. Always obey traffic signals.

• Do not run out in the street from between parked cars or shrubbery.

• Walk to and from school bus stops out of the roadway facing traffic.

• Never accept a ride from a stranger.

• Leave home early enough so you do not have to run to catch your bus.

The safe loading and unloading of students is our main concern. Therefore, students should be cautious with the walking route chosen to get to the school bus stop. Students should stay on sidewalks and walking paths while approaching and leaving school bus stops. Students shall wear safe clothing that is visible in hours of darkness.