Skip to main content
Main Menu Toggle
Families » Transportation

Transportation

2022-2023 BUS ROUTE INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
 
Our goal is to provide the students of this district with a safe and secure transportation program. This goal can only be achieved through the combined efforts of school, students, and parents. Involvement from all parties is critical to the success of the program. The privilege of receiving transportation services is dependent upon meeting behavioral expectations. Because privileges can be revoked, student knowledge of expectations is essential.
 
If you have questions regarding transportation, including student School Bus Incident Reports, please call Carol Grimes, Director of Maintenance and Transportation, 707-822-4858.
 
The Arcata School District Bus Rules are located at the bottom of the page.
 
Beginning of the School Year
School bus routes may be adjusted within the first two weeks of the school year as we confirm riders and the route. Students need to be at their stop location and visible to the driver approximately 5 minutes prior to scheduled pickup time.
 
Bus Safety Training for Staff and Students
Each year the bus drivers and the students are required to participate in bus safety training.  Our bus drivers participate in a minimum of 10 hours of in-service training each year. Students participate in 
 
Bus Stops
  • Students need to be at their stop location and visible to the driver approximately 5 minutes prior to scheduled pickup time.
  • All buses will flash yellow warning lights 200 feet before the stop, giving drivers ample time to slow down and prepare to stop their vehicle.  Red lights and stop arm will deploy when the bus stops. 
  • When the bus flashes red lights (located at the top front and back of the bus) and the stop arm is out, you must stop from either direction until the children are safely across the street and the lights stop flashing. The law requires you remain stopped as long as the red lights are flashing (CVC §22454). If you fail to stop, you may be fined up to $1,000 and your driving privilege could be suspended for 1 year.
  • Crossover stops: when students are required to cross the street the driver will escort the student using their hand-help stop sign.
  • The bus only stops at designated stops along the route.  
 
Waiting at the Bus Stop
  • It is a state mandated safety rule that the bus needs to stop at least 12 feet from the designated bus stop and students.
  • Students waiting at designated bus stops must wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before attempting to board the bus.
 
Permission (Blue Notes) for Change of Normal Stop/Route
  • All changes to a student's regular transportation plan require parent permission and notification to the office. 
  • Once the parent calls the school to confirm the change, a Blue Note is given to the student's teacher.  The teacher then gives the Blue Note to the student, who hands the Blue Note to the bus driver.
  • Students without Blue Notes indicating a change to their regular transportation plan will not be dropped off and will be returned to the school at the end of the route.
 
TK and Kindergarten Students
  • TK and Kindergarten students must be met at the stop by an adult (a person over the age of 18).
  • If an adult other than the parent is meeting the bus to pick up the student, then the school office needs to be notified of the change.  The person meeting the student must show their ID to the bus driver before the student is allowed off the bus.
 
School Bus Incident Reports
  • California regulations state: "All students transported in a school bus shall be under the authority and responsibility to the school bus driver. Continued disorderly conduct or refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for denial of bus privileges."
  • Transportation is not required by State Law.
  • The bus driver is responsible for the discipline and behavior of the student while riding the bus.  Violations of these rules and misbehavior will result in the student receiving a School Bus Incident Report.
    • First Offense: The Bus Driver and Principal will meet with the student to discuss the incident.  School site consequences may be assigned.  Parent will be notified in writing of the incident.
    • Second Offense: The Bus Driver/Principal/Parent/Student will meet to discuss the problem.  The parent will be informed of the subsequent consequences for continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the Bus Driver.
    • Third Offense: The Director of Transportation/Principal will notify the parent of a five (5) consecutive school days denial of transportation privileges.
    • Fourth Offense: The Director of Transportation/Principal will notify the parent of a ten (10) consecutive school days denial of transportation privileges.
    • Fifth Offense: The Director of Transportation/Principal will notify the parent that suspensions are not working, and that transportation privileges are denied for the remainder of the semester.
    • Severe Offense:
  • If a student has lost their bus transportation privileges and a field trip requiring bus transportation is scheduled during that suspension the student will not be transported by the school to the field trip.