Welcome to the transportation service section of the Gardner Edgerton School District website. The district transportation provider is First Student.  First Student provides expertise, technology and a highly motivated team to deliver safe and caring transportation services to your child. 

Enrollment forms for the 2013-2014 can be obtained at the First Student Transportation Office at 19450 S. Gardner St. Gardner, Kansas.  Forms can also be e-mailed or faxed to you before August 2, by calling 913-856-5650.

2013-2014 Transportation Information, Enrollment Process and Payment Guidelines

__________________________________________________________________ 

 The following transportation policies are established by USD 231 in the interest of maximum efficiency and safety for student transportation. Cooperation of students and parents is necessary to achieve these goals. Below is information pertaining to General Student Transportation Services. Please click on the menu items at left to access more information. We wish you and your family a successful school year!

General Student Bus Transportation Services

1.     Any student desiring bus transportation services with a home address or daycare address less than 2.5 miles from the school within their attendance center is required to pay for busing.  All Nike Elementary students are eligible for free transportation services. Families who have made child care arrangements at a location other than their residence will be charged for Payrider fees if the child care is located within 2.5 miles of the assigned attendance center (school). Bus service is not available to locations outside of a student’s attendance boundary. 

2.     Buses will only pick up students from bus stops located inside district boundaries.

3.     Drivers will not admit unauthorized passengers without prior approval from the school or bus supervisor.

4.     On the first day of the school term, all students should be ready to board the bus by 7:00 a.m. unless they are sure the bus will pass their stop at a different time. During the first week of school, students should continue to be ready to board the bus by 7:00 a.m. until an approximate bus arrival time is established.

5.     Rural patrons must provide an adequate turn around for buses.  A minimum of 500’ visibility is needed. The home address must be clearly marked at the street.

6.     Bus drivers will not discharge riders at places other than the regular bus stop near the home, or at school, unless by proper authorization from parent and school office personnel.  Changes in pick-up and drop-off locations should be made two working days ahead of the scheduled change.

7.     Bus pick-up and drop-off points must be the same every day.  Pick up and drop off points may be different from each other, but must not change from day to day.

8.     In the management of students riding buses, the driver is in complete charge.  Violations of school bus policies or failure to obey driver’s instructions will be reported to the building principal and parents.

9.     Students riding buses should carry a book bag or back pack to keep loose papers from being blown in front of buses at bus stops.

Prior to Loading

1.     Be on time!  Buses will not wait beyond the regular schedule.

2.     Bus riders should conduct themselves in a safe manner while waiting for the bus and stand off of the roadway.

3.     Students should be careful in approaching bus stops.  Students should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching to board.

4.     Pre-schoolers and students not riding buses should not be at bus stops unless under the direct supervision of an adult.

While on the Bus

1.     Students are to conduct themselves in a courteous and orderly manner while waiting for, riding on or unloading the bus.  Classroom conduct is to be observed by all students riding the bus.  No horseplay is permitted.

2.     The bus driver is in charge of all students and the bus.  Students must obey the driver promptly and cheerfully.

3.     All buses will have assigned seats designated by the driver.

4.     Upon boarding the bus, students should proceed directly to their assigned seat.

5.     Students should keep all appendages in the bus at all times.  Windows may not be lowered more than half way or to the black line on each bus window.

6.     Unnecessary conversation with the bus driver is prohibited.

7.     No skateboards or scooters allowed on the bus or at bus stops.

8.     Food and drink are not to be consumed on the bus.  On special field trips or activity trips this regulation may be waived with mutual consent of the sponsor and bus driver.

9.     Intoxicating liquor or alcohol, illegal drugs or tobacco shall not be consumed or carried on the bus or at bus stops.

10.   No animals shall be transported by students. Small specimens needed for classroom instruction such as insects and tadpoles may be transported if carried in metal or plastic containers.  No glass containers are allowed on the bus.  No snakes are to be transported.

11.   Students shall not get on or off the bus or move about while the bus is in motion.

12.   No weapons of any type, except side arms carried by a law enforcement officer, shall be transported on a bus.  (K.S.A. 8-2009)  Knives are not allowed on the bus.

13.   Bus equipment should be treated as valuable personal property.  Any damages to a bus by a student must be paid for by the student responsible for the damage.

14.   Students should assist in keeping the bus safe and clean at all times.

15.   Students should never tamper with the controls or the equipment on the bus.

16.   Books, packages, coats, musical instruments, feet, and all other objects should be kept out of the aisles.

17.   Objects should not be thrown in the bus or out of bus windows.

18.   Absolute quiet should be maintained when the bus approaches a railroad crossing.

19.   Students should not endanger the safety of others, use obscene language, use unacceptable signs, or commit acts of vandalism.

Exiting the Bus

1.     Students must follow any instruction from the driver when exiting the bus.

2.     Students must cross the road at least 10 feet in front of the bus, and only when the driver signals it is safe. The student should also look to be sure no traffic is approaching from either direction.

Video/Audio Surveillance Cameras

Management of student behavior on school buses is of major importance to USD 231. Good conduct combined with accurate observation promotes safer travel for students and drivers.  The District has contracted with First Student Inc. to provide video/audio surveillance cameras on all buses used for student transportation. 

Daily Bus Schedule

Bus information is available through the enrollment process and on the school district web site.

Personal Belongings

To reduce the risk of loss, First Student recommends that students leave all personal electronic items at home, including MP3 players and personal gaming devices. Cell phones should be stowed in back packs. All money should be secured in a wallet, purse, or back pack.