Transportation Policy
Contact: Jody Cristler
(360)696-6321 x122
Alternate Travel and Liability release form
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to explain and clarify WSSB procedures and parental and school responsibilities involved with student transportation.
I. POLICY
All students will be transported to their home area by ESD 112, charter bus, van, plane, or other arranged mode of travel on Fridays and Sundays (unless otherwise noted in the school calendar). Parents or guardians are responsible for arranging adult supervision on Fridays and Sundays and for pick up to and from transportation provided by WSSB. Parents are responsible for any additional cost incurred resulting from failure to meet students at designated stops and times.
For students who fly home on the weekends, airline tickets will be booked out one month in advance. Airline award miles earned are the sole property of the Washington State School for the Blind (not the parents or students). These airline award miles are used to assist WSSB in the purchase of flights during the school year and helps WSSB make efficient use of limited resources.
WSSB will not accept responsibility for visitation among students during the week or weekend. It is the responsibility of the parents to know the family of the student their child will be visiting, and the type of home environment before granting permission. Transportation arrangements will be the responsibility of the parents. WSSB will see that the arrangements for transportation made by parents are carried out with prior advance notice under the procedures described below.
WSSB will not assume liability for students once they leave campus.
Permission will not be granted for students to stay overnight with a staff person. Students will not be allowed to visit staff homes except for designated and planned field trips. Only the School Principal or Director of Residential Services can give exceptions.
Parents should understand that WSSB will not assume responsibility for students once they have signed out and left campus.
II. PROCEDURE
Day Student Transportation:
Day student transportation is primarily arranged through ESD 112 and the rules are based on the policies of ESD112. Parents or guardians are to check with their local district for specific rules and regulations. WSSB may transport some students to and from WSSB.
Some general rules include:
Students must be ready 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled pickup time.
In the afternoon, a responsible adult should be available to meet the bus.
Parents must call WSSB and ESD112 immediately when there is a change of address or phone number. In the event of an emergency, it is essential that WSSB and ESD112 have a number where an emergency contact can be reached. WSSB must be notified two weeks in advance of any move that results in a change of school districts.
Regarding bus routes: WSSB has no control over the routes or times that are assigned to students. For questions involving routes and times, parents are to call ESD112 (360 750-7500).
For visiting among students, both sets of parents must complete and sign a Alternate Travel and Liability release form (see attachment). Forms are also available from the School Secretary at ext. #141. These forms must be received in the office of the Principal one-week in advance of the visit. Parental permission via the telephone will not be accepted. Fax transmission of the signed forms will be acceptable. Fax completed and signed forms to the office of the Principal at #360-737-2120
Residential Student Transportation:
Residential students will be transported to their home weekly via chartered bus, van, plane or other arranged mode of travel. Parents or guardians are responsible for arranging adult supervision on Fridays and Sundays and for pickup to and from transportation provided by WSSB. On Friday’s the bus will wait no longer than 10 minutes beyond the scheduled pick up time before continuing on to the next stop. On Sundays the van or chartered bus will not wait. It is the responsibility of the parent to be at the designated stop ten minutes prior to the scheduled time. In the event that the student is not picked up at the designated stop ten minutes after the scheduled time of arrival, other arrangements may be made to deliver the student to the parents, which may result in additional transportation costs. Parents will be responsible for these additional costs.
For students who fly home on the weekends, airline tickets will be booked out one month in advance in order to take advantage of less expensive fares. The Residential Travel Coordinator will contact parents prior to making reservations to allow for any changes in travel. Once airline travel arrangements are finalized, parents assume the responsibility for any costs incurred due to changes in travel arrangements. Exceptions can be made only by the Director of Residential Services.
For visiting among students, both sets of parents must complete and sign a Alternate Travel and Liability release form (see attachment). Forms are also available from the Residential Travel Coordinator ext. #122. These forms must be received in the office of the Residential Travel Coordinator 30 days in advance of the visit for students who fly, one week in advance for students who travel by chartered bus or van. Parental permission via the telephone will not be accepted. Fax transmission of the signed forms will be acceptable. Fax completed and signed forms to #360-737-2120.