Transportation
Getting your children to school safely each day is a responsibility that our Hamilton Southeastern transportation team takes very seriously.
The mission of the Hamilton Southeastern Schools Transportation Department is to transport students safely to and from school, and to all extracurricular activities. To help meet that safety requirement, the following bus rules and bus discipline procedures are in effect for all students of Hamilton Southeastern Schools. Safety is our top priority in providing a quality bus ride for each and every child, every day, without exception. Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious cargo!
Resources
Inclement Weather F.A.Q.
Inclement Weather Closings and Delays FAQ
Student and staff safety is the most important consideration when inclement weather forces decisions to delay or cancel school. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions we receive regarding inclement weather:
Q. How is the decision made to delay or close school for inclement weather?
The transportation director and other staff members will begin driving routes as early as 4:30 a.m. to evaluate local road conditions. Weather reports are reviewed from multiple agencies including city and county road crews on their findings during the early morning hours. The transportation director will update the superintendent, who is also in contact with area officials and neighboring school districts to determine the safety of the roads in their respective areas.
As soon as possible, the superintendent will determine if school will be delayed and/or closed and takes into consideration several factors when making the final decision (i.e., weather predictions, time of day, wind-chill and road conditions).
Q. Where will information be posted regarding school delays and closures?
HSE Schools will notify families and staff by phone call, text and email through ParentSquare. Information and updates will also be shared in the following places:
Website: www.hseschools.org
Twitter: @HSESchools
@HSETransport
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HSESchools/
Local Media:
WTHR WISH-TV Fox 59 CBS 4 WRTV
Q. Why are school delays and/or closure decisions not made the night before?
Weather is very unpredictable in Central Indiana. Predictions of snowfall, ice or extreme cold do not always result in conditions that would justify delaying or closing school. Waiting until morning allows us to drive the roads and determine what is best for students and staff based on real-time weather and road conditions.
Q. (NEW!) What type of learning/student instruction will take place when school is closed due to weather?
The 2023-2024 Calendar was approved with built-in ‘Flex Days’ to be used in the event of an emergency school closure.
- When this option is available, there will be no instruction for students. The first two school closures (depending on when they occur in the calendar year) will be made up on the subsequent ‘Flex Days.’
- If and/or when ‘Flex Days’ are no longer an option, all PK-12 students will participate in synchronous (live) virtual instruction.
Q. (NEW!) What does a ‘Flex Day’ look like for students?
There will be no classroom or virtual instruction. Students, Pk-12, will attend school on the subsequent ‘Flex Day’ to make up for the loss day of learning.
Q. (NEW!) When are the ‘Flex Days’?
The ‘Flex Days’ are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21 and Monday, Mar. 13.
- If these days are not needed to make-up for lost classroom instruction due to an emergency closure, students will not have school on these two scheduled days.
Q. (NEW!) What does an emergency closures day look like if a ‘Flex Day’ is not an option?
All students will be expected to participate in a synchronous (live) instruction via their device. Students should follow their daily schedule and check Canvas for any changes or additional information provided by their teacher(s).
- The student day for grades K-12 will begin at 9:30 a.m.
- AM Preschool classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and PM Preschool classes will begin at 12:30 p.m.
- HSF Academy will begin its AM classes at 9:00 a.m. and PM classes will begin at 12:30 p.m.
Q. What if students have questions about their assignments during a synchronous instruction day?
Teachers will communicate to their students how they may be reached for questions or concerns throughout the day.
Q. What should a student do if they need to get in contact with their school counselor?
School counselors will monitor email for questions during a virtual instruction day.
Q. What if the student does not have their device at home and/or access to internet?
Students may complete assignments on any device using any internet connection available to them (friend’s house, library, etc.) Students should work with their teacher(s) for questions/concerns on when assignments would be due.
Q. How does my student log into Canvas?
Canvas resources for students, including login information can be found here.
Q. How will attendance be taken?
Because instruction will be synchronous (live), attendance will be taken by the teacher when class begins.
- The student day for grades K-12 will begin at 9:30 a.m.
- AM Preschool classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and PM Preschool classes will begin at 12:30 p.m.
- HSF Academy will begin its AM classes at 9:00 a.m. and PM classes will begin at 12:30 p.m.
Q. Will all after-school activities be canceled if school is closed?
Typically, after-school student activities will be canceled when school has been closed all day. Please check your school's website and look for updates from coaches/club sponsors for specific information.
Q. When will HSE Schools use a two-hour delay?
A two-hour delay may be issued due to a variety of weather concerns, such as: snow, ice or extreme cold temperatures. When the temperatures dip below a certain threshold, it’s not only potentially hazardous for our students to be outside for extended periods of time, but the buses may also have trouble starting. Many times, the outside temperature will rise later in the morning, enabling our buses to depart safely, and students are not left waiting outside at the bus stop in the bitter cold. A two-hour delay also allows road crews additional time to plow and/or treat the roadways.
Q. What will the school day look like during a two-hour delay?
Doors to all school buildings will open two-hours later than normal. Breakfast will not be served during a two-hour delay, but lunch will be served. Dismissal for all students will take place at the normal time.
Q. How will the two-hour delay affect when my child gets picked up in the morning?
Buses will run on a two-hour delay for pick-up. (i.e., if your student has a 7:00 a.m. bus pick-up time, during a two-hour delay, the pick-up time will shift to 9:00 a.m.)
Q. Why does HSE have a two-hour delay instead of closing for the day?
The two-hour delay allows us to keep students and staff safety as a top priority, while also maximizing instructional time during the regularly scheduled school year.
Q. Other districts are delaying and/or closing for weather. Why aren’t we?
Each district has different roads, terrain, and municipal snow removal procedures. Additionally, nearby districts may receive slightly different weather conditions. We drive routes throughout our district to make sure drivers can safely arrive at school. The final decision is based on the specific conditions within the HSE Schools’ territory.
Q. My part of the city is safe to drive. Why are we delaying and/or closing school?
HSE Schools encompasses a variety of roads and terrain. This includes areas with narrow, steep hills that can become impassible in certain weather conditions, and rural areas where snow removal can be challenging. While your neighborhood may be passable, it does not mean that buses can safely take children to school in all parts of the district.
Q. My streets are pretty slick. Why wasn’t school delayed and/or closed?
We encourage parents and teenage drivers to use extreme caution when driving in less-than-ideal conditions. While you may experience more difficult driving conditions in your specific neighborhood, other areas may not.
Safety Information
Routes are available through Skyward
- Walk with your young kids to the bus stop and wait with them until it arrives. Make sure drivers can see the kids at your bus stop.
- Teach kids to stand at least three giant steps back from the curb as the bus approaches and board the bus one at a time.
- Teach kids to wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop before getting off and not to walk behind the bus.
- If your child needs to cross the street after exiting the bus, he or she should take five giant steps in front of the bus, make eye contact with the bus driver and cross when the driver indicates it’s safe. Teach kids to look left, right and left again before crossing the street.
- Instruct younger kids to use handrails when boarding or exiting the bus. Be careful of straps or drawstrings that could get caught in the door. If your child drops something, they should tell the bus driver and make sure the bus driver is able to see them before they pick it up.
- Remember to stay alert and look for kids who may be trying to get to or from the school bus.
- Slow down and stop if you’re driving near a school bus that is flashing yellow or red lights. This means the bus is either preparing to stop (yellow) or already stopped (red), and children are getting on or off.
Two-Lane Roadways
If a school bus stops on a two lane road and the red flashing lights are activated and the stop arm is extended, all motorists MUST stop.
Multi-Lane Roadways with NO Barrier between Lanes
When a school bus stops on a multi-lane roadway without a barrier and the red flashing lights are activated and the stop arm is extended, all motorists MUST stop.
Multi-Lane Roadway with a Grassy and/or Concrete Barrier
When a school bus stops and the red flashing lights are activated and the stop arm is extended, only vehicles behind the bus MUST stop. Vehicles that are approaching from the opposite side are NOT required to stop.
Basic Rules of Bus Conduct
1. Riding the school bus is a privilege and is a part of the school day. Accordingly, students should adhere to all rules and procedures outlined in the student handbook while being transported to and from school. Classroom conduct is expected.
2. The driver is in charge at all times while on the bus. All driver directives should be followed promptly.
3. Be at your bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time.
4. Go to your assigned seat quickly. Stay seated at all times until it is your time to get off the bus, and the bus has come to a complete stop. Seated means facing forward with feet on the floor. Students will be completely out of the aisle if two or less students are in the seat.
5. Keep arms, legs, and objects to yourself and inside the bus.
6. Talk quietly with no inappropriate language or gestures. Quietly means at a level where the driver cannot clearly hear the conversation and the students you are trying to talk to are no more than two seats away.
7. Students are not to bring toys, collectible cards, laser pointers, balloons, or other distracting items to school or onto the bus.
8. Students will not possess the following forbidden items while on the bus: weapons, tobacco, drugs, alcohol, aerosols, sprays, pumps, perfume, combustibles or other contraband.
9. Food or drinks are not allowed on the bus at any time without written permission from the Director of Transportation.
10. A student may ride a different school bus with a friend, or for other activities, provided there is enough room on the bus and the student follows all bus rules. Students may not have more than one friend ride on their assigned bus without prior permission from the driver or transportation office. A note, written by the parent or guardian, must be sent verifying that the student may ride a different bus. All males and females riding home together must have the note verified by the school. All notes must be signed and dated by school personnel.
11. Bus windows will not be lowered more than half the distance of their travel.
12. Once a student has boarded their bus at the school, they will not be allowed to exit the bus without authorization from school personnel.
13. The use of any type of camera is prohibited on the bus. This includes regular routes and extracurricular trips. Any camera device used on the bus will be confiscated and disciplinary consequences will be administered.
14. The use of electronic devices, including but not limited to, IPods, IPads, Media Devices, and Electronic Books, are allowed on the bus, but HSE is not responsible for the loss, damage or theft of any of these devices. These items must be turned off and secured before entering the school building. Electronic devices are not to be shared with other students while on the bus but may be used quietly by individual students. Students may not access or activate a Wi-Fi hotspot while on the bus. For the safety of all students, electronic devices are not to be used when entering or exiting the bus. For those students crossing in front of the bus, earbuds must be removed until reaching the far side of the street. If students are violating these rules, the driver has the right to restrict the usage of any electronic device on the bus.
15. Skateboards and rollerblades are not permitted on school buses or any other school property.
16. Musical instruments must be kept in the seat with the student.
17. Golf clubs, oversized equipment and large musical instruments are not to be transported on regular-route buses.
18. No items will be stored in the back window.
19. Any student committing any of the following infractions will face a bus suspension ranging from two (2) weeks to removal from the bus for the remainder of the school year: fighting, possession of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, weapons, abusive or sexually explicit language, any type of threat to the driver or other students, a serious safety hazard, or any other behavior considered totally inappropriate.
Consequences
Students are expected to behave appropriately while traveling to or from school or a school activity. The bus driver, Transportation Directors and/or school administrators can use any form of reasonable discipline. In general, HSE Transportation Department will utilize progressive discipline. The unique circumstances of each individual’s case will be considered before a decision regarding appropriate consequences is made. Every disciplinary consequence will involve personal contact to the parent or guardian from the student’s bus driver.
The nature of the student's behavior will determine the consequence for the infraction.
Possible consequences include but are not limited to the following:
- Parent Conference
- Verbal Warning
- Written Warning
- Suspension
- Removal from the bus for the remainder of the school year
Note:
Any student suspended for the remainder of the school year will be placed on probation at the beginning of the following year. Violations while on probation may result in a bus suspension for the remainder of that year.