Policies & Procedures
Rules and Regulations for School Bus Riders
Certain rules and regulations have been established for students who are transported to and from school on Baldwin-Whitehall buses and vans. These rules are for the safety of the students who ride the buses.
All residents should become familiar with these rules. Parents of young children should review the rules with them. Violations of these rules and regulations can result in loss of riding privileges.
Prior to Loading (at the bus stop and at school)
- Be on time at the designated bus stop. Do not arrive more than ten minutes prior to the scheduled time.
- Stay off the road at all times while waiting for the bus. Riders must conduct themselves in a safe manner while waiting for the bus.
- Respect the property of the homeowner at the bus stop. Do not damage hedges, grass, retaining walls. Do not litter.
- Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to board the bus.
- Do not cross the road until all traffic has come to a complete stop. Check both ways.
- Do not push or shove while boarding the bus.
While on the Bus
- Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times.
- Do not litter on the bus. Eating and drinking on the bus is prohibited.
- No smoking on the bus.
- Remember that loud talking and laughing or unnecessary confusion can divert the driver's attention and can result in a serious accident.
- Do not damage the bus in any way. Offenders are responsible for payment for damage to seats, windows, etc.
- Never tamper with the bus or any of the equipment on the bus.
- Take care not to leave lunches, books, or other articles on the bus.
- Keep books, packages, coats, and other objects out of the aisles; they must fit under the seat.
- Do not throw anything out of bus windows.
- Do not leave the seat while the bus is in motion.
- Horseplay or rowdiness is not permitted on the bus.
- In the event of an emergency, stay on the bus and follow the directions of the driver.
After Leaving the Bus
- Be cautious that book bags, long coats, drawstrings do not get caught on doors when getting off of the bus.
- When crossing the road, look to be certain that all traffic has stopped in both directions. Cross at least ten feet in front of the bus.
- Driver will not discharge riders at places other than the regular bus stop or at school unless authorized by a school official.
While the attendance policy is detailed in the student agenda and should be read by all parents and students, the following points can be used as a guide:
- Skyward will call the parents or guardians of students that are absent or tardy to school for that given day at approximately 9:00 am, regardless if an absentee phone call was made to the school secretary. Therefore it is not necessary to call in your child's absence unless there is pertinent information regarding the absence.
- Students who have been absent from school must bring an excuse. This excuse should be brought to school the day the student returns from their absence. The excuse should have the date(s) the student was absent, the reason for the absence, the student's first and last name printed legibly, and the parent/guardian's signature.
- If the student is absent the day of a scheduled extra-curricular activity and/or athletic event he/she is not permitted to attend the activity. Students are eligible to participate in these activities if they are present for at least four classes.
- A web absence that appears in one classroom period, (not period 1) should be discussed with that period's teacher. A web absence recorded in a specific period would indicate that the student was absent from that particular class and not the school day.
- A student requesting an early dismissal from school must bring an excuse from his/her parent/guardian and turn it in to the attendance office prior to the start of first period. The note must have the student's first and last name printed legibly, the date of the early dismissal, reason for the request and the signature of the parent/guardian.
- All classrooms are equipped with functioning clocks and the students are expected to report to the office at the given time of their dismissal. The office may not interrupt instruction time to remind an individual student of an early dismissal. While it is understood that some doctor appointments are made in the morning after the child has left for school, all efforts should be made to send a note in the morning with the child.
- Students who are not in their first period classroom by 8:20 am are considered tardy. Four unexcused tardies to school will be subject to a discipline referral to either assistant principal.
Visitors Upon arrival at school, all visitors must follow the procedures listed below:
1. Visitors are expected to park in designated visitor parking spots.
2. Visitors must wait to be “buzzed” in at the main entrance. Visitors are expected to identify themselves and state their purpose of business at Harrison Middle School via the intercom.
3. Visitors must immediately report to the office upon entering the building to sign in, show their state issued identification and receive an identification sticker. All visitors MUST wear their identification sticker at all times while in the building.
4. Upon the conclusion of their business, all visitors are expected to sign-out at the main office
Please note, the District's visitor management system requires that all visitors to the school have a valid driver’s license or photo identification card. The license or identification card will be scanned, comparing the information to that contained in a data base of registered sex offenders from all 50 states. If a match is found, administrators and law enforcement personnel can take appropriate steps to maintain a safe environment.
The visitor management system will provide a consistent system to track visitors and volunteers while identifying individuals who present a danger to students and staff members. The system will print a visitor badge that includes a photo, the name of the visitor, location/purpose of visit, time and date.
The following groups of people will be expected to have a license/identification card prior to gaining access to the school:
- District Staff not displaying a District-issued ID
- Parents/guardians picking children up for early dismissal
- Uniformed officers (not during time of emergency)
The visitor management system also has the capacity to track locally entered information and provide alerts as necessary.