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41870 McAlby Court
Murrieta, Ca 92562
(951) 696-1600
Updated: 1-21-2021
2020-2021
Transportation Safety Plan
Murrieta Valley Unified School District
2 | Murrieta Valley USD Transportation Safety Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE 39831.3……………………………………………………………………………………………….3
SCHOOL BUS STOPS…………………………….………………………………………………………………………………………………3
SCHOOL BUS LOADING AND ESCORT STOP PROCEDURES……..…………………………….…………………………………….4-6
SCHOOL BUS PASS…………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………….6
SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS……………….……………………………………………………………………………..…………….7
BUS DANGER ZONE…………………………….…………………………………….……………………………………………….……….7
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND PASSENGER SAFETY….…………………….…………………………………………….………….8
AMBER AND RED-LIGHT WARNING SYSTEM………………………………….……………………………………………..………….9
SAFE SCHOOL BUS OPERATIONS………….…………………………………………………………………………………….………….9
PROCEDURES FOR DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY.…….……………………………….….…….9
FIRE EXTINGUISHER(S)……………………….………………………….………………………………….………………………..……..9
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 13 1214………………………………………………..………………..…….……..9
COVID-19 PROCEDURES……………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………….10
PROCEDURES FOR SYMPTOMATIC STUDENTS ON THE BUS…………………………………………………………………………11
DECISION TREE FOR PEOPLE WITH COVID-19 SYMPTOMS………………………….……………………………………………..12
ENHANCED OPERATIONS AND DISINFECTING…….…………………………………………………………….…………………….13
TRANSPORTATION SERVICE OPERATIONS.……………………………………………………………………….……………………13
REFERENCES....…….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ...14
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The Murrieta Valley USD Transportation Safety Plan has been developed at the request of the Superintendent and in accordance with California Education Code (CEC) 39831.3. This document is maintained by the Transportation Department and has been amended to include safety measures under COVID-19 conditions. A copy of this Transportation Safety Plan can be found at each school site, at the district office and on the district website, under Transportation, and personnel shall be trained in the plan. The following procedures have been established in accordance with the requirements of the CEC. Information regarding safe riding rules shall be provided annually to all student bus riders. Any concerns or questions regarding these procedures should be directed to the Transportation Department.
School Bus Stops
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure the following procedures are followed at school designated bus stops:
➢ All established stops from home to school, will have an indication on the route sheets detailing which stops may require escorting students in grades TK through twelve.
➢ Students who receive door-to-door bus transportation services specified in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) will load and unload from the bus at a designated location where students are not required to cross the street.
➢ Students using an alternate bus stop on an emergency/temporary basis or riding home on the bus with a friend must have their parent or legal guardian call Transportation Dispatch for pre-approval. The friend must also be a registered rider.
➢ Bus drivers unable to determine the correct bus stop for a student must contact Transportation dispatcher via district provided vendor for clarification and verification of the appropriate bus stop. If a designated stop is not verified, the driver must return the student to the school office.
➢ Students in grades TK-K must be accompanied by a parent, family member or guardian at the bus drop off and pick-up location. If the student will not be met or picked up by a parent or legal guardian, he/she must complete a kindergarten release form designating another person or authorizing the release at the bus stop unattended.
➢ Current routes of designated bus stop locations will be sent to each school site office at the beginning of the school year. Current routes are also available at the district office.
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➢ Information contained on the route sheet includes: • Bus route number • Bus stop location • A.M. and P.M. bus stop times • Bus stops designated as a “Red Light Crossing” are marked RLX on the route sheet. • Bus stops designated as a “No Crossing Allowed” are marked N/C on the route sheet. • Bus stops designated as a “Temporary Bus Stops” are marked TBS on the route sheet.
School Bus Loading and Escorted Stop Procedures
Murrieta Valley USD bus routes are designed to reduce the need for students to cross the street upon which the bus is stopped. However, when it is necessary for students to cross the street upon which the bus is stopped, the driver (pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22112) will escort them. Students requiring escort will be identified by name on the driver's route sheet. They will also be identified as needing escort in the computer database and on their bus passes. All students are expected to follow the safe riding rules. In addition to these procedures outlined; Bus drivers have authority to enforce the rules listed below. 1. SCHOOL BUS BOARDING/LOADING PROCEDURES:
➢ Students must obey all applicable traffic rules when walking to school bus stops.
➢ Students must wear a face covering/mask at the bus stop and while riding the bus, unless medically exempt. Non-Exempt students who do not have a face covering/mask will be provided one by the bus driver before boarding.
➢ Students must wait for the bus at least 12 feet away from where the bus stop is located and must stand at least 6 feet physically apart in accordance with social distancing requirements.
➢ Students must arrive at the designated bus stop location five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time If a bus does not arrive within 15 minutes if the scheduled time, please call Transportation Dispatch at (951) 696-1600 ext. 1193 or 1189 for guidance.
➢ Once the bus doors are opened for loading, students must approach and board the bus in an orderly fashion from back to front.
➢ Upon loading students must show their bus pass to the driver.
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2. UNLOADING PROCEDURES AT SCHOOL OR BUS STOP
➢ Students unloading will exit the bus from front to back when the bus comes to a complete stop.
➢ Students will remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus door is opened. The bus is not considered stopped until the door opens.
➢ Students shall not stand on the bus while the bus is in motion.
➢ Students will exit the bus one row at a time, beginning with the front of the bus in an orderly manner, in compliance with the driver's instructions.
➢ Students will use the handrail at the door and walk down each step to the ground.
➢ After exiting, students should walk away from the bus and not touch or lean against the bus. They will not return to or run after the bus. There will be no horseplay at or near the bus.
➢ Students shall not cross the street upon which the bus is parked without assistance from the driver. Students shall notify the driver if they need to cross the street.
3. ESCORTED LOADING/UNLOADING PROCEDURES AT SCHOOL OR BUS STOP
On approach to a school bus stop where students are loading and unloading from the school bus, the school bus driver shall activate an approved amber warning light system, if the school bus is so equipped, beginning 200 feet before the school bus stop. The school bus driver shall deactivate the amber warning light system after reaching the school bus stop.
➢ The school bus driver shall operate the flashing red light signal system and stop signal arm, as required on the school bus, at all times when the school bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading students.
➢ Students who receive door-to-door bus transportation services as specified in their IEP shall be boarded and discharged at a designated location where the students are not required to cross the street.
➢ If necessary, students will cross the road cautiously in front of the bus at the direction of the bus driver.
➢ Students must obey all traffic rules when walking from the school bus stops to their destination.
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3. BOARDING/UNLOADING AT SCHOOL/ACTIVITY TRIP DESTINATIONS:
➢ Upon arrival at school, students must exit the bus from front to back in an orderly and timely manner as directed by the bus driver.
➢ Upon exiting the bus, students shall immediately leave the bus-loading zone and enter the school campus or trip destination.
➢ When boarding buses to leave school or trip destinations, students shall wait outside at a safe distance at least 12 feet from the bus.
➢ Students must physically distance from one another while at the designated bus stop at least 6 feet and must board at the bus driver’s direction from back to front.
➢ Prior to departure on a school activity trip, the bus driver must fulfill the requirements of California Education Code 39851.5 (a) (3) and document that the required safety instruction was given.
School Bus Pass
When a new student enrolls at a school site, the parent/guardian and student will be informed that all students must register as a bus rider with the Transportation Department if he/she wishes to use the district bus transportation system to and from home/school. All students must have a current school year bus pass in his/her possession daily to ride the bus.
At the time of registration, the parent/guardian is given a copy of the district bus conduct/safety rules. Each parent/guardian must sign and acknowledge the rules below:
▪ Use of bus stops ▪ Boarding and exiting the bus ▪ Expected student conduct on and off the bus ▪ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ▪ Summary of danger zones
A bus pass with picture ID will be issued to each student. Each pass contains the following information:
▪ Type of pass (Yellow passes for kindergarten ONLY) ▪ Student name ▪ School of attendance ▪ Pass # ▪ Route # ▪ Zonar Scanner # ▪ A.M. and P.M. bus stop locations
Annual bus passes are valid for the duration of one school year. If lost, a replacement can be purchased for $10.00.
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Special Education Students
Murrieta Valley Unified School District Transportation Department will route Special Education buses to load and unload students on the right side only. Therefore, special education students will not have to be escorted across the roadway. If an unforeseen circumstance should require a student(s) to be escorted across the roadway the driver shall comply with the provisions of (CVC)22112 sections (a,b,c). All special education students and their parent/guardian will be given written and verbal instructions by the Transportation Department detailing the location of the student’s bus stop, bus rules, time of pick-up and return, and loading and unloading procedures. All special education students shall be released to the parent/guardian or a school official. The Special Education Department shall approve any exceptions to this policy. Parents/Guardians are required to provide pertinent information to the Special Education Department concerning student’s medical and physical condition. This information will be handled as confidential under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
Bus Danger Zones
When students register for a school bus, they will be given information showing the danger zones around the school bus. The identified danger zone is the 12-foot area immediately outside the bus, which includes front, rear, and both sides of the bus. The most dangerous area of the bus is around the wheels. Students who are boarding and exiting the bus shall do so carefully, immediately walking clear of the danger zones next to the bus. Parents should review this information with their students.
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Emergency Procedures and Passenger Safety
In accordance with Education Code 39831.5 (a) all students TK-12 who are transported in a school bus shall receive instruction in school bus emergency procedures and passenger safety. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the instruction is provided as follows:
1. Upon registration, the parents/guardians of all students transported in a school bus or school activity bus and who are in grades TK-12 shall be provided with written or online information on school bus safety. The information shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
a. Assigned bus stops near each students’ home b. General rules of conduct at school bus loading/unloading zones c. Red light crossing instructions d. School bus danger zones e. Safety requirements walking to and from school bus stops
2. At least once per school year, all students in TK-8 grade who receive home-to-school transportation, shall receive safety instruction. This includes, but is not limited to, proper passenger conduct, bus evacuation, and location of emergency equipment. Instruction also may include responsibilities of passengers seated next to an emergency exit. As part of the instruction, students shall evacuate the bus through emergency exit doors.
3. Prior to departure on a school activity trip, all students riding a school bus or SPAB shall receive safety instruction that includes, but is not limited to, location of emergency exits, and location and use of emergency equipment. Instruction also may include responsibilities of passengers seated next to an emergency exit.
a. The following information shall be documented each time the instruction
required by Paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) is given:
1. Name of school district, county office of education, or school
2. Name and location of school 3. Date of instruction 4. Number of students participating 5. Grade levels of students 6. Subjects covered in instruction 7. Amount of time taken for instruction 8. Bus driver’s name 9. Bus number 10. Additional remarks
Parent/Guardians signature, Instructor/Instructor’s, or Aide/Chaperone signature.
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AMBER AND RED-LIGHT WARNING SYSTEM Murrieta Valley Unified School District School bus drivers shall comply with CVC (California Vehicle Code) 22112 sections (a, b) which reads.
a. On approach to a school bus stop where students are loading or unloading from the bus,
the driver of the bus shall activate an approved flashing amber light warning system, if the school bus is so equipped, beginning 200 feet before the stop.
b. The driver shall always operate the flashing red signal lights and stop signal arm, as required on the school bus, when the school bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading students.
c. The driver shall stop to load or unload students only at the school bus stops designated for students by the school district Superintendent or authorized designee for school activity trips.
SAFE SCHOOL BUS OPERATIONS School bus operations shall be limited when atmospheric conditions reduce visibility on the roadway to 200 feet or less during regular home-to-school transportation service. Bus drivers on a school activity trip assignment shall have the authority to discontinue bus operations whenever they determine that it is unsafe to continue operation because of reduced visibility. (California Vehicle Code 34501.6) PROCEDURES FOR DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY To ensure safe operations, it is necessary for drivers to assess road conditions on a continuous basis. If visibility on the roadway is reduced to 200 feet or less, due to atmospheric conditions, the driver will advise the Director of Transportation or designee. If conditions warrant, whether students are aboard or not, the driver will remain parked and secured until it is safe to proceed. In this scenario, the Superintendent or designee, parents of students aboard and school sites will be notified immediately.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER(S) In accordance with Education Code 39838, each school bus must be equipped with at least one fire extinguisher located in the driver’s compartment that meets the standards specified in law. As part of the required daily vehicle inspection each driver shall ensure that the bus they are operating is properly equipped with the required fire extinguisher(s) based upon bus type/size and are properly rated as required by law.
California Code of Regulations TITLE 13 1214: In accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 13 1214: A driver shall not drive when his/her ability to operate a vehicle safely is adversely affected by fatigue, illness, or any other cause.
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COVID-19 Procedures
ENHANCED SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND MANDATES IN A PANDEMIC ENVIRONMENT The health and well-being of our students on the school bus is a critical factor to returning students to campus. MVUSD continues to collaborate between school staff, transportation staff, and families to ensure safe rides to and from school. Transportation schedules have been modified to meet six feet physical distancing and health and hygiene best practices, when feasible. Transportation staff has been extensively trained on how to clean and sanitize school buses. The expectation is that all buses will be cleaned and sanitized at the beginning of the day, in between routes, and at the end of each day. Drivers have also been trained on proper use of PPE and are mandated to wear appropriate PPE during their shift. To adhere to health and safety guidelines, the following measures will be implemented:
• Drivers will wear a face covering/mask always.
• Drivers will stand at the entrance of the bus during student loading and unloading.
• Busses will be loaded from the back and unloaded from the front to minimize student-to-student contact.
• Students will have an assigned seat to accommodate physical distancing, as practicable. Exception: siblings will be seated together.
• One-on-one aides of special education students or students an IEP or 504 plans will be permitted to ride district transportation with the student and must wear face coverings and appropriate PPE while on the school bus.
• Face coverings are required unless there is a medical exemption on file.
• Students who forget a face covering will be provided one by the driver.
• Students who refuse to wear a face covering when boarding the bus from home, will be transported to school, if a parent/guardian is not at the bus pick-up. The driver will then escort the student to the office and his/her parent/guardian will be immediately called. School transportation privileges may be revoked.
• Hand sanitizing will take place as students enter and exit the bus.
• Windows will be open, weather permitting, to assist with ventilation.
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PROCEDURES FOR SYMPTOMATIC STUDENTS ON THE BUS Families are the first line of defense for monitoring symptoms related to the COVID-19 virus. Bus drivers and bus monitors play an equally important role in recognizing COVID-19 symptoms and becoming aware of symptomatic students. Note: Bus drivers and bus monitors will receive training on recognizing common symptoms associated with COVID-19.
➢ If a student enters the bus showing symptoms when boarding the bus and a parent/guardian is present, the bus driver will immediately prevent the student from entering the bus and explain to the parent/guardian why the student may not enter the school bus. Caregiver will be required to follow district protocol and symptomatic student must stay home.
➢ If a student is on the bus and starts to show symptoms in route to his/her destination, the bus driver must ensure the student is properly masked, covering nose and mouth at all times. The driver must also make sure the student keeps a minimum physical distance of six feet from other students, where practicable.
➢ Windows must be opened as fully as possible, regardless of weather conditions.
➢ Bus driver must call dispatch to inform them of the symptomatic student on board. The bus dispatcher must then contact appropriate school site and district personnel and notify them of symptomatic student passenger.
➢ When exiting the school bus, symptomatic student should exit the bus first.
➢ School nurse or school designee will meet the bus upon arrival and escort the student to the on-campus isolation room.
➢ School nurse or school designee will immediately evaluate the student for symptoms and follow the district protocols for the isolation room and call the students’ parents/guardians for immediate pick-up from school. Student may not ride a school bus until he/she has been cleared for school.
➢ Bus will immediately be cleaned/disinfected in accordance with staff training on proper cleaning and disinfecting of buses.
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Decision Tree for People with COVID-19 Symptoms
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ENHANCED OPERATIONS AND DISINFECTING OF BUSES
✓ Extensive staff training on cleaning and sanitizing buses is provided to all
employees.
✓ All buses will be cleaned and sanitized throughout the day and at the end of the
day.
✓ Students will have an assigned seat, and members of the same household will be
seated together.
✓ Drivers are trained to assist students with hand sanitizing, when necessary.
✓ Face coverings will be provided to students who forget to bring one on the bus.
✓ Drivers are required to wear appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OPERATIONS
Hours of Operation Monday - Friday 5:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Walk-In Office Hours Monday – Friday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Department and Emergency Contact Information
Main Department Phone Number (951) 696-1600 x1195 email: Transportation Director (951) 696-1600 x1191 email: Transportation Supervisor (951) 696-1600 x1213 email: [email protected] Bus Dispatch, line 1 (951) 696-1600 x1190 Bus Dispatch, line 2 (951) 696-1600 x1189 Bus Dispatch, line 3 (951) 696-1600 x1193 Lead Mechanic (951) 696-1600 x1192 Lead Mechanic (951) 696-1600 x1194 Driver Instructor, line 1 (951) 696-1600 x1214 Driver Instructor, line 2 (951) 696-1600 x1212
In accordance with the California Education Code (CEC) 39831.3 The information recorded pursuant to this subdivision shall remain on file at the district or county office or at the school for one year from the date of the instruction and shall be subject to inspection by the Department of California Highway Patrol.
Revised 1/15/2021
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REFERENCES
California Department of Public Health-Guidance for Schools California Department of Public Health- Guidance for Small Groups and Cohorts Riverside University Health System-Public Health, COVID-19 Guidance for Schools Murrieta Valley USD Returning Students to Campus Guidebooks
1. COVID-19 Pandemic Parent Notification
2. Symptom Checker
3. Student COVID-19 Symptoms Letter
4. Assumption of Risk and Liability
MVUSD Injury Illness Prevention Program, COVID-19 Addendum
