Elementary Handbook

4.1 Bus Behavior

All Mesabi East students are reminded that being transported by Mesabi East buses is a privilege...not a right Students are assigned a seat to help with transportation. Student behavior on the buses needs to reflect this . understanding.

Students receiving three (3) bus behavior violations will be reviewed and may have privileges suspended.

After the first transportation suspension, any bus behavior violation, administration reserves the right to final determination of any and all disciplinary action. Not limited to exclusion of transportation privileges.

4.2 Transportation Guidelines and Procedures

The ISO 2711 Transportation Department has provided the following information to familiarize you with our district guidelines and procedures related to the bus routes and bus stops. Our primary goal is the safe transportation of students to and from school. It is also important that parents assume a scope of responsibility at the bus stop, including getting children to and from bus stops.

Bus routes shall be planned to achieve maximum safety of operation with maximum economy within the limitations of rules and regulations governing transportation. Transportation services must also be efficient and cost-effective.

• Bus routes will not be extended or stops scheduled unless an eligible pupil (grades K-12) would otherwise be required to walk in excess of 3/4 mile. Exceptions are cul-de-sacs, non-through streets, and private property. (This provision shall be used to reduce excessive time and miles traveled whenever possible and practical).

4.3 Transportation Procedures

Minnesota State law has a significant impact on our operating procedures. These regulations include distance requirements that.are intended to assure that buses operate in a safe manner and can be easily seen by approaching motorists. The two fundamental criteria used in determining bus routes and stops are safety and efficiency of scheduling.

Every student needing busing (new to the district, current rider with address changes, etc.) is required to contact the transportation department with requests.

Safety of routes/stops

• For safe pick-up and drop-off, students need to have a consistent, established schedule for both AM and PM locations. Pick-up and drop-off locations may be different, but they need to be consistent and regular. For example, students with split families (2 households) can have one AM location and one PM location for each household. A daycare stop can be included in a student's regular schedule.
• Students will not be allowed to change routes for parties, going home with other students, meetings, appointments or any other short term event. Calls and notes regarding these changes are not accepted.
• Bus stops will be permanent whenever practical, allowing the public to become familiar with stop locations.

Efficiency of Routes

• Roads must be at least 20 feet wide.
• Have adequate shoulders to allow the bus to pull off the roadway.
• Be kept clear of snow, sleet, ice, vehicles, and other obstructions that would prevent safe travel of school buses.

4.4 Parent's Responsibility

• Parents/Guardians are responsible for selecting their children's walking routes to and from bus stops, schools, and homes.
• Parents/Guardians are responsible for providing supervision that is appropriate to the student's age, maturity, and conditions that exist on the walk route.
• Make sure you know your children's bus number and stop location. You can review the corresponding bus number and symbol on our website.
• Review the bus rules with your children.
• Walk route safety concerns should be directed to the association or law enforcement agency responsible for the specific location/area.

4.5 LOCKERS/STORAGE AREA

Students in grades Pre-K-6 will be assigned lockers if available. Lockers/Storage areas are the property of the school. The administration/staff, etc. has the right to search lockers, desks or personal possessions at any time if suspicious of any violations of policies and regulation codes.

1. Students cannot switch lockers/storage areas with someone else.
2. Students cannot store their material in someone else’s locker/storage area.
3. Inappropriate posters/pictures, etc. will not be allowed.
4. Prek-grade 4 are not allowed to have locks on their lockers.

The school will not accept responsibility for the loss of valuables or other such items.

4.6 Attendance

The academic education received in school is the foundation for all other learning. Children will not receive this education if they are not in attendance. Mesabi East Elementary School will do everything possible to ensure a quality education, but children need to be here on regular school days. It is the sole responsibility of the parents to see that their child(ren) attends school.

All students are expected to arrive every day at school between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:15 AM and remain until 3:10 PM Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and 2:10 on Wednesday. Pre-k students must be accompanied by an adult until 8:15 when the pre-k staff returns from the bus area. Students are not allowed in the classrooms until staff is present.

Mesabi East Public Schools recognizes that daily attendance is critical to academic achievement. It is our goal to work with students, families and communities to support regular school attendance and improve academic achievement. Please call your school for further assistance or questions about the attendance policy.

4.7 Absences

School Attendance is very important. When a student is absent from school, a parent or guardian should contact the school via phone, email, or a written explanation including dates of absence(s). If your child is seen by a medical professional, a doctor’s note is required. All absences are considered unexcused until a written or verbal explanation is received.

If a student arrives prior to 9:30 am, the student will be marked as excused or unexcused tardy. If a student is absent for 3 consecutive days, the parent will be contacted by the classroom teacher. When a student has 7 unexcused absences an attendance letter will be sent to the parent/guardian and social services will be notified of absenteeism. If a student is absent for 15 consecutive days the student will be dropped from enrollment and social services will be contacted for educational neglect.