• When Eldred Central School District is closed, transportation is provided to:  BOCES, Alternative Education and Special Education Schools, New Life Christian School, Trinity Catholic and Orange Ulster BOCES.  The exception to this is when there is inclement weather when no district buses are transporting.
  
• For the safety of all our students, I would like to remind you that there is to be nothing hanging off your child's clothing or book bag that could get caught on the seats and hand rail or in the door, or that could swing and hit another student.
  
• Anything that your child would be bringing to school should be brought in a book bag or any other type of bag.  The same would apply to anything that your child wishes to bring home.
  
• For the safety of your child, please go over the bus rules with your child/children.  The drivers will be enforcing them and would appreciate your cooperation.
  
• Please be sure to have your child at the bus stop approximately 10 minutes before your scheduled pick up time, and for the afternoon drop off.  Please be reminded that the bus may be early.  If all the students are not riding, that can make a difference in the pick-up drop off time.

New York State school buses are the safest vehicles made in the field of pupil transportation in the world.  We are committed to maintain this standard of safety to protect our most precious cargo.  Seat belt use will be mandatory on all school buses equipped with them.  Students will be reminded to buckle up.

Even the best of planning and established routines cannot completely eliminate some distractions for our drivers and, where necessary, disciplinary referrals will be initiated and appropriate action taken. Inappropriate behavior on the school bus will result in disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Handbook.  Proper student behavior directly impacts the safe operation of a school bus, and your continued support and cooperation is very much appreciated.

One last safety concern is in regard to students wearing loosely fitted clothing.  There have, in fact, been incidents involving drawstrings and belts.  These items can get caught in or wrapped around the grab handle in the stopwell of the school bus and/or the door. Students have been dragged by the school bus and fatally injured.  Eldred Central School District bus drivers will be made aware of this and further instructed to pay close attention and be on the lookout for this potential problem.

For any questions or concerns, you can contact us at 557-8545/856-9980 (Office of the Transportation Coordinator).  We are looking forward to another supportive, exciting, and, in respect to student transportation…..safe year ahead!

In an effort to  make the ride to and from school as SAFE AS POSSIBLE, please review these safety rules and regulations with your children.

1. Students should be waiting at their bus stop 10 minutes prior to their bus pick up.  Drivers are instructed not to wait for students.
2. Remind your child to wait on the side of the road in vision of the bus driver.
3. Students will not be permitted to ride other buses or to get off at another stop unless a written note from home is received by the driver before they ride.  Students in Gr. 7-12 must have their notes signed by the Principal prior to giving it to the bus driver.
4. Students are not allowed to be taken off the bus other than at their own stop by anyone, including their parents.  The only exception is if they have submitted written permission to do so.
5. If a bus has broken down, students must remain on the bus until another bus picks them up and takes them to their destination.
6. When signing up for the 4:10 p.m. (Grades 7-12) late buses, students must do so before 10:00 a.m. of that day or they will not be allowed to ride.
7. Parents - please instruct your child to cross the road carefully!!!

• When crossing, walk far enough (10 ft.) in front of the bus so you can see the driver's face.
• Wait for the driver's signal.
• Cross to driver's side.  Look both ways, make sure traffic is stopped; then proceed.
• Walk . . . DO NOT RUN ! ! !
• The driver must always be able to see you.
• If it is not safe, go back to the curb.  Do not just stand in the road.
• Do not go back for dropped articles.

8. Parents - please instruct your child to sit down in the bus - with head and hands inside of the bus.  No yelling or screaming which is distracting to the driver and could cause a potentially dangerous situation will be tolerated.
9. Parents dropping students off or picking students up are NOT to drive into or next to the school parking lots (where the buses park).  This also causes a dangerous situation.
10. No parents are allowed on the bus without authorization.

The Eldred Central School District has a program of bus safety education.  This program will be much more effective if you reinforce it at home.  Take a few minutes, periodically, and go over the following bus safety rules with your child.