Transportation

2012-2013 School Bus Runs – many factors, including late registrations, may cause changes to what you see here today. If a change results in more than five (5) minutes +/-, you will be notified in writing – your student will be given a Route Time Change form from their driver. If your child hasn’t ridden in some time, it is best to contact the Transportation Department (248-573-8900) to get the current bus stop times before your student begins riding their bus again. If you know your student will NOT be using bus transportation this school year, please contact the Transportation Department. If your child will not be riding for an extended period of time, please advise Transportation – you can call at any time to get your student back on their route.

Transportation
22727 Griswold Road ● South Lyon, MI 48178 ● (248) 573-8900

As a department, our goal is to provide safe, efficient, on-time transportation, while protecting the financial resources needed for our classrooms. Families may notice that bus routes have more students riding them. We are continuing to improve on optimization of bus capacities, building on the successes of prior years. We strive for approximately 48 secondary students and up to 77 elementary students riding each bus. One week prior to the start of the 2012-2013 school year, August 28, 2012, school bus stop assignments will be mailed to parents. Assignments will also be available on this page after August 29th and posted at each school building. Parents and guardians are also reminded that late registrations, as well as many other factors, cause changes to bus routes as the school year begins. Requests for bus stop changes will be handled in priority order and must be submitted in writing. Illegal or dangerous stops, overloaded buses, emergency day care, and adding new students to stops will be given the highest priority. Daycare Bus Change and Bus Stop Change Requests must be submitted in writing on the standard District forms, which are available at the links on the left and will be addressed as quickly as time permits. Please understand that requests submitted for convenience will not be approved. All bus stop changes will continue to comply with current District policy as follows: "Secondary (6-12) students who live one and one-half (1 1/2) miles or more from the school which they attend shall be eligible to be transported to school. Elementary (K-5) students who live one (1) mile or more from school shall be eligible to be transported. Under normal conditions, elementary students shall be expected to walk up to one-half (1/2) mile and secondary students up to one (1) mile to a bus stop. Walking distance is the linear measure of the shortest prescribed or authorized pedestrian route from a point at the curb or edge of a public road nearest the student’s home to the bus stop or to the entrance of the school property closest to the student’s home." Any questions related to the above information should be addressed to the Manager of Transportation Services, Chena Burton, at 248-573-8900.
Attention all 5th grade parents who reside on a dirt road.	Attention all parents who currently have students being transported by school bus either from or to a daycare location this school year.
The Transportation Department normally tries to establish bus stops at the driveway of elementary school students who reside on dirt roads. This is not always possible due to road conditions or legal requirements, and this has been the practice even though Board Policy allows a walk distance of ½ mile. When a student graduates to 6th grade, he/she falls under the secondary school policy of a one mile walk distance to the bus stop. For the school year 2012-2013 parents of 6th grade students should expect that some stops will be moved away from their home and to a consolidated secondary school stop nearby.	Daycare transportation requests submitted prior to the start of the 2012 - 2013 school year will be processed as quickly as possible; however, all parents should arrange for alternate transportation for the first two weeks of school. Daycare busing may not be approved prior to September 21, 2012. In addition, daycare transportation requests submitted after the start of school may not be approved for two weeks after submission of the request. The two-week processing time is necessary to confirm student ridership numbers and space availability on the requested buses.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through these demanding times.

SAFETY IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY…

Our goal in Transportation Services is to provide safe, efficient, on-time transportation to the students of South Lyon. In addition to our regular daily runs, we have kindergarten, vocational education, early childhood center students; field trips and athletic events that come and go at various times during the day.

Student management on the school bus is probably the biggest problem facing school bus drivers today. As in the classroom, student management on the bus is an important issue. There are, however, some major differences. Unlike the classroom teacher who has 20-30 students, the bus driver is responsible for up to 77 students at one time. Additionally, the students must be monitored by a driver who has his/her back to them.

School bus drivers must control thousands of pounds of steel, glass and rubber as they drive through traffic in varying road conditions. The school bus driver is constantly aware that a single lapse in concentration could result in a serious accident and possible injury or death to students on board or outside the bus. To avoid distractions, it is imperative that students be in control at all times.

Students are expected to follow the Transportation Code of Conduct at all times while riding the bus. We encourage parents to review these responsibilities with their children to insure that their privilege of riding the bus is not lost.

Students are only permitted to ride the bus they are assigned to and from school each day. We do not allow students to ride home with friends for birthday parties, sleep-overs, study groups, scouting, etc. Emergency Day Care requests may be accommodated, providing space is available on the bus. Contact Transportation Dispatch at (248) 573-8900 between 5am and 5pm on school days for further information.

We would also like to remind parents, that the only (cargo) items that can be transported on a school bus are those that can be held on the lap of the student. This includes band instruments, backpacks, sports gear, large projects and the like. We regret any inconvenience this may cause you; however it is for the safety of your child.

Contact the TRANSPORTATION HOTLINE at 248-573-8251 for daily changes to scheduled routes, building and school closures.

Have a safe, fun school year!