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Wildlife, weather and daylight are a concern in my community. What responsibilities does PRSD have in ensuring students are safe?
The Board has, in the past, considered yard service to further protect the safety of students where the length of the driveway for a home is greater than 400 m and the grade of the eldest child is less than Grade 4. To receive approval, parents must make a request for this service directly to Board as an appeal to the policy. Please contact the Transportation Department for further details on this.
Are my children safe while waiting for the bus at the stop or when they load and unload?
Each pick up and drop off location has a designated Safe Zone where the driver has instructed students to wait. Once the Safe Zone is established students should always wait at this location.
School bus drivers in Alberta are trained and certified as per the School Bus Driver Improvement Course. The training provides stringent procedures that are used for safety on the school bus as well as loading and unloading. Drivers must ensure that students follow the correct procedures for loading and unloading or their safety may be compromised.
Students must NEVER cross in front of the school bus until the driver has signaled them to do so. Bus drivers will not signal students to cross until the traffic has come to a complete stop, within the bus driver’s Safe Zone.
Who is responsible for my children before they load and after they unload the school bus?
Parents are responsible for their child's safety to, from and while the
student waits for the bus at their designated stop. Bus drivers may not permit students to unload at another stop without permission from the parent. The school bus will wait until the designated time before departing the stop location.
Can you explain “School of Choice”?
School of Choice is a province wide regulation that grants parents the choice as to which school their children attend. Students that live in the same boundary as their local community school are provided transportation from their home area to school services. When a student attends a school of choice, parents may need to arrange private transportation to that school or the nearest bus route that services the school of choice. In some areas of the division, overlapping attendance boundaries between elementary and high schools make it possible for an existing bus route to be accessed. Caution should be used when accessing these routes as criteria for routing often changes as bus routes are reviewed and adjusted yearly.
PRSD chooses to utilize all transportation funding from Alberta Education to safely and effectively transport students across the Division.
How can I get transportation to a school of choice for my child?
Transportation to a school of choice requires approval from the Transportation Manager. Approval may be awarded provided:
- The parent communicates their intentions to the Principal of the local school. School principals do not make decisions about these request but are generally interested in making improvements to accommodate your child;
- “Application for Transportation Approval” is submitted to the Transportation Manager; or
- A written request may be sent to the Transportation Department requesting “Transportation approval to a School of Choice”. The letter must outline:
- Parent contact information
- Student information
- Attending school
- A brief explanation of why your child is attending a school of choice as well as confirmation that the parent has spoken with the principal of the local School.
Once your request is received a letter outlining the Transportation Department’s decision, along with any conditions will be mailed to you.
Are there conditions of the approval?
Approval for transportation to a school of choice is conditional upon the following:
• The principal of the local school has been contacted and is made aware of the student’s choice;
• There is seat space available on the bus;
• The bus is not re-routed to accommodate the students attending a school of choice.
The approval process generally takes a minimum of one week.
Parents are reminded that approval is required before students will be registered for the school bus. In some circumstances parents may be required to apply for approval each year. Please pay particular attention to the conditions outlined in your approval letter.
Are there special considerations that would allow my child transportation to a school other than the local community school?
Alternate attendance boundaries for schools offering special programs may provide transportation options for some students. If your child is enrolled in a special program, French Immersion, or an Outreach School, they may be eligible for transportation to an alternate school. Please contact the Transportation Manager to discuss eligibility.
How can my child receive transportation from Grimshaw to Peace River?
Transportation of students from Grimshaw to Peace River schools is operated by a separate school division; Peace River School Division shares the costs of running the buses in exchange for a limited number of spaces. Transportation is provided by the Board for outreach students and French immersion programming, and transportation may be provided for students in the senior high grades that are taking CTS programming not available in Grimshaw. Students outside of this criteria must request to the Board of Trustees through the appeals process, and is subject to space being available.
Will the school bus pick up students in the yard?
Peace River school division does not provide yard service. Exceptions may apply:
- If the turn around space is limited on the public roadway making it unsafe for the school bus to turnaround;
- If the driveway is exceedingly long (more than 400 meters) and where the oldest child in the family is under grade four school age;
- If the child requires special program needs.
What are Provincial Regulations regarding walking distances for students?
The School Act states that students who reside more than 2.4 kms from their designated school are eligible for school bus transportation. Students who require special programming and reside less that 2.4 may be eligible for transportation to/ from school.
Are there rules stating where my children get picked up?
Peace River School Division has established a 400 meters walk limit for student living outside of the 2.4km walk distance. Often the pick up point is located at the end of the driveway as yard service is not provided. If the distance between the driveway and the existing bus route is less than 400 meters, students may be required to walk along the road to a safe stop location along the main bus route.
How can I receive transportation for students where I live less than 2.4 kms from their designated school?
BUS PASS - Parents may choose to purchase a bus pass for students who are not eligible for transportation. Monthly and yearly rates are available and students must load and unload at a designated stop.
INTERSCHOOL - In communities where there is more than one school,
parents may register their child for this free service provided the student loads and unloads at a school. Students that reside outside town or village limits who are less than 2.4 kms but more than 400 meters from their designated school, will be considered eligible for transportation and may be registered for the school bus at no cost.
When do busses stop within town limits?
School bus stops located within the town limits are in accordance with the 400 meter walk limit policy and are reviewed annually by the Transportation Department. Considerations regarding stop placement include:
- A safe location for all students while waiting for the bus;
- A visible location with consideration to bus maneuverability;
- Location of student residence in relation to the stop;
Any other comments?
Peace River School Division thanks the school community for their understanding and support in this matter and invites individuals to contact their local trustee and/or the Transportation Department with any questions or concerns and to gain a better understanding on funding, Division policy, school of choice and other matters that cause concern. We also invite those with any questions to visit www.prsd.ab.ca to view frequently asked questions regarding bus transportation services provided by PRSD.
PRSD is committed to provide safe, effective and consistent transportation services for students in the communities we serve.
PRSD will provide transportation services without taking money from schools and instructional budgets that are used for programming and services for students.
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