Transportation

• Students are required to be at their stops 10 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time, 5 minutes in bad weather.
• Obey the driver at all times. The bus driver has the same relationship to the child as does the school teacher. It is his/her duty to maintain order on the bus at all times.
• Only cross in front of the bus and when the driver gives hand signals for crossing the street when boarding and departing the bus.
• The school bus is an extension of your school; therefore, all rules and code of conduct apply while riding the bus.
• Be seated immediately and properly (bottom on bottom, back on back and feet on floor in front of you) upon entering the bus in the seat assigned by the driver. Once on the bus, remain on board sitting properly until your stop, unless instructed by the driver.
• No standing or moving place to place while the bus is moving.
• Loud, boisterous or profane language or indecent conduct will not be tolerated.
• Windows are not to be lowered past the white line, no body parts or loose items is to exist the window. No windows or doors will be opened or closed except by permission of the driver.
• Only students assigned to the route are allowed to ride the buses. Permission to ride another student’s bus may be granted by the Principal and/or the Director of Transportation for Emergencies only.
• Drivers are required to pick-up and drop-off students at their assigned stops only!
• At a bus stop avoid standing or playing on the road, do not destroy or damage surrounding property. (Such damage results in discontinuance of bus "stops").
• Not enter or leave the bus until it has come to a full stop and the door has been opened by the driver.
• Treat bus equipment as valuable furniture in the home. Help keep the bus clean, sanitary and orderly. Deposit garbage in container at the front of the bus. No food or drink shall be consumed on the bus. Those who damage the bus will be expected to pay the damages.
• Do not smoke on the bus. No eating, drinking or chewing gum on the bus. Expect for water.
• No animals, insects, skateboards, basketballs or any other objects that would be considered flying projectiles by state law and transportation are allowed on the bus.

1. Driver warning
2. Driver warning and seat change
3. Driver warning and seat change
4. Referred to building principal – Student Write-Up for Disciplinary
5. Parent Phone call – In School discipline
6. 1 to 3-day removal
7. 5 to 10 day removal
8. Removal for remainder of semester
9. Removal for rest of school year

• Fighting
• Threatening violence
• Throwing objects
• Damaging bus
• Disrespecting the bus driver

School bus drivers/attendants are in charge of the responsibility to transport students to and from school each day safely. They must maintain order and discipline and see that no student is mistreated. They use every precaution for the safety of the children under their care. They must maintain a schedule and advise the school of any way to improve the student transportation operation. These drivers are highly trained in classroom and road experience, carrying a Commercial Driver License (CDL) and State Certification. These attendants are highly trained in classroom and hands on experience. 

To become a bus driver/attendant for PTS:
This position is a part-time job. Training is provided at no charge. This is a fantastic job for a parent, retiree, or anyone who likes competitive wages! You are home when your children are home and have summers and holidays off. If you are interested in becoming a school bus driver please fill out an online application HERE.

Training includes the following items for drivers:

• 3-day class conducted by the state and maintaining bus state requirements
• CDL physical and physical fitness certificate
• Permits for knowledge, school bus, passenger, and air brake
• Pre-trip inspection training
• Behind the wheel training
• Observation time on bus with a licensed CDL driver
• Student management

Training includes the following items for attendants:

• Pre-trip inspection training
• Observation time on bus with a senior attendant
• Student management
• Student de-escalation

Portage Township Schools participate in a random drug and alcohol testing pool and pre-employment testing. This is done by an outside state approved agency. We also do a criminal background check and driver's license check.

Portage Township Schools will transport all students who reside in the district and who live outside the established walking boundaries.

Students will be expected to walk a reasonable distance to the school in which they are enrolled. The maximum walking distance shall not exceed one (1) mile for students in grades K-8 and one and one-half (1 1/2) miles for students in grades 9-12. The walking distance shall be considered as the shortest, most reasonable and safest route to walk to school.
 
Students who are transported may be required to walk a reasonable distance to established bus stops. For each bus route, the established bus stop(s) shall be determined by the Superintendent of Schools or a designee. The distance a student may be required to walk to a bus stop shall not exceed one (1) mile for students in grades K-8 and one and one-half (1-1/2) miles for students in grades 9-12.