Calhoun City Schools(CCS) values each of the drivers and appreciates the dedication they display while performing their duties each day of the school year. During a school day the regular education buses (1-12) travel four bus routes transporting an average of 140 students per day. They pursue a most stressful job with pride and determination. A driver must maneuver a 38 foot bus through city traffic with 72 dependent students. They have mastered the driving situation and continue to challenge themselves everyday with the tasks presented; each day being a little different than the last.

Three of our routes are for special needs students. These three buses (21, 22, and 24) have varied routes so that the system may provide superior service for our students with disabilities. The system provides Special Education Monitors on each route to assist in caring for the students of varying ages and disabilities.

Transportation Safety begins at home. With parents and the department working together we can make safety our highest priority. When your children leave the house in the mornings you expect them to go to the bus stop safely, and we expect them to remain safe while at the stop. A few tips which will help us achieve our goal follow:

1.       Children should arrive at the bus stop early so that no one has to run.

2.       As children walk to a stop in the neighborhood they should walk, facing on-coming traffic, on the shoulder or sidewalk at least three feet from the road surface.

3.       Encourage your children to respect other’s property as they walk to the stop.

4.       Have children wear something brightly colored or reflective when it is dark.

5.       At the stop children should stand in a single-file line on the sidewalk or shoulder at least three feet from the road’s surface.

6.       Children should be instructed that there is no horse play at the stop.

7.        Children should be reminded to stay in a group avoiding any strangers that might approach.

8.       Children should be instructed to call for help at the nearest house if something should happen to someone at the stop.

9.       Children should remain quietly in line as the bus arrives.

10.    The bus will stop at least 6 feet from the first person in line and  the driver will motion to them to board when the bus is stationary and safe for boarding.

11.    The bus stop is a “safety zone” guarded by state laws.   Adults or other children causing problems can be arrested and prosecuted.

12.    Children will receive disciplinary action from the school if they engage in any type of unsafe activity while at the bus stop.

13.    All school rules apply at the bus stop.

14.    Once children enter the bus they are not allowed to exit until they reach the destination.

15.    When exiting the bus at the end of the day children are expected to move into a safety zone away from the bus and then to disperse to their homes immediately.

16.    Children are not to bring anything on the bus that will not fit into a backpack.

17.    Children can not board the school bus with glass or any type of chemical.

18.    Food or drinks not contained in a lunchbox are not permitted on the bus.

19.    All school rules apply on the bus because the school bus is an extension of the classroom.

If you plan for your child to ride a different bus he must file a Change of Transportation Form.

 To obtain a form you must write a request to your student’s school office.  The school secretary will issue your child the correct form to enter the bus. Without the proper form your child will have to remain at school. Remember we are safety driven and if we do not know where your child should be going we would rather leave them in the safety of the school until you can pick them up.

If you have any questions about the above information, please, feel free to contact our department at any time. If you have questions pertaining to a bus routes, bus stops, or stop times, please, call Tim Duncan who is the Route Coordinator for the transportation department.