It is the responsibility of the director of transportation and school administration to adhere to and implement school committee policy relating to transportation, to include:
1. the notification, of students and/or distribution of regulations for transporting school children
2. the suspension of transportation privileges of student(s) found to be in violation of the regulations for transporting school children. The length of the suspension shall be determined by the principal/director and may be appealed to the Superintendent of Schools.
Should a complaint arise concerning a student’s conduct while riding a bus, a parental conference with the principal and the complaining driver shall be held in an effort to obtain parents cooperation to eliminate future problems.
The West Warwick School Committee has adopted the following rules and regulations for students riding school buses:
1. The driver is in full charge of the bus and pupils. Pupils must obey the driver promptly and willingly.
2. Pupils shall ride their regularly assigned bus at all times, unless permission to do otherwise has been granted by the school administration. School administration will verify with the drivers the availability of extra seating space and will not issue bus passes for non-regular riders.
3. Unless given written permission by a parent/guardian, no pupil shall be permitted to leave the bus except at his or her regular stop.
4. Each pupil may be assigned a seat in which he or she shall be seated at all times, unless permission to change is given by the school principal and/or driver.
5. Outside of ordinary conversation, classroom conduct must be observed.
6. Pupils are to assist in keeping the bus clean by keeping their waste paper off the floor. Pupils must also refrain from throwing refuse out of the windows. Eating is not allowed on the bus for student safety.
7. No smoking or vaping is allowed on buses.
8. No pupil shall at any time extend his or her head, hands or arms out of the windows, whether the school bus is in motion or standing still.
9. Pupils must ensure that they have nothing in their possession that may cause injury to another, such as sticks, breakable containers, any type of firearms, straps or pins extending from their clothing. Also, no animal is permitted on the bus.
10. Each pupil must ensure that his or her books and personal belongings are kept out of the aisle. Special permission must be granted by school authorities to transport any large items.
11. Pupils are to remain seated while the bus is in motion, and they are not to get on or off the bus until it has come to a full stop.
12. Pupils must leave the bus in an orderly manner and must obey the orders of the school bus driver. They must not cross the highway until given consent by the school bus driver. When boarding or leaving the bus, pupils should be in view of the driver at all times.
13. Pupils must cross the highway at least 10 feet in front of the school bus and never behind it.
14. Pupils must not stand or play in the roadway while waiting for the bus. Pupils should leave home early enough to arrive at the bus stop before the bus is due.
15. Students' misconduct on a bus shall be sufficient reason to discontinue providing bus transportation to those students involved.
16. In the event of an actual emergency, emergency exit procedures, as established by the emergency exit drills, shall be followed.
17. Parents of students damaging school buses shall be responsible for proper reimbursement to the school district.
Violation of the above rules may result in the loss of riding privileges. The principal/director shall have the authority to suspend said riding privileges
Idling Policy
The West Warwick Public Schools will abide by the RI Diesel Engine Idling Program as prescribed in 250-RICR-120-05-45
Walking Distances
Free bus transportation to and from public and parochial schools in the Town of West Warwick shall be provided by the West Warwick School Department in accordance with the following:
1. Elementary Schools and Pre-School
For any child living one half (1/2) of a walking mile or more from his or her school.
2. Middle School
For any child living one (1) walking mile or more from his or her school.
3. High School
For any child living two (2) walking miles or more from his or her school.
Any student/parent/guardian who feel their child or children are entitled to free bus transportation shall contact the principal to appeal denial of transportation privileges. Subsequent appeals, in writing, shall go before the superintendent of schools and/or the West Warwick School Committee.
In computing the distance, the front door of the school to the front curb of the student's dwelling and the most direct route shall be used to and from school for the purpose of measuring.
In appropriate circumstances, transportation may also be provided to West Warwick resident pupils traveling to other public or non-profit schools in Region II, as set forth in RI Gen. Laws §16-21.1-2
References:
RI Gen. Laws § 16-21-1 Transportation of public and private school-pupils
Policy Revised:
March 11, 2014
March 15, 2023