Transportation Safety

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Bus Safety

Digital cameras, recording of voices and Global Positioning System (GPS) are on every bus. GPS enables us to verify arrival times at every stop and school. Additionally, it verifies the travel path used by the buses. Ridership rules are also in place to help ensure students have a safe bus ride to and from school.

Best Practices at Bus Stops

The following best practices have been developed by parents in the Racine area:

  • Parents should walk with student prior to school start to establish safest path to the bus stop.
    • This can be done before work, after work or on the weekends.
    • Multiple trips should be made with the student or until parent and child is confident.
    • During the walk the parent should reaffirm their safety instructions, where to cross streets and what to look for and watch out for.
    • These directions may need to be altered or updated throughout the school year.
    • For younger students the parent(s) should elect to stay with their child until the bus arrives.
    • Additionally, for younger students, parents should meet the bus after school.
    • Parents are responsible for the safety of their children before being picked up by the bus and after the students are discharged for the bus.
    • City bus stops with two sidewalks and two curbs are yellow light stops (hazard lights). Traffic is not required to stop.
  • Sometimes the shortest path to the bus stop is not the safest.
  • Cross at signal lights or controlled intersections.
  • Many students that do not live in the city will have stops on roads that have speed limits of 55, 45 and 35 MPH.
    • All of the same rules above apply to these stops.
    • These stops are all red light stops. Traffic both ways are required to stop.
    • Students are recommended to stand back a safe distance from the flowing traffic. This is distance is determined by the parent. The bus driver will instruct the student when to cross the street if needed.
    • The location that the student stands needs to become routine. They need to be visible to the bus driver as he/she slows down. Standing behind trees is not recommended for visibility.

Additional bus safety tips from the U.S. Department of Education

Walkers Best Practices

Walkers are students who live within two (2) miles of their area school attendance boundaries. The following best practices have been developed by parents in the Racine area for walkers:

  • Parents should walk with student prior to school start to establish safest route.
    • This can be done before work, after work or on the weekends.
    • Multiple trips should be made with the student.
    • A map should be created of the proper path the parent prefers and should be with the student.
    • During the walk the parent should reaffirm their safety instructions, where to cross streets and what to look for.
    • These directions may need to be altered or updated throughout the school year.
  • Sometimes the shortest path is not the safest.
  • Cross at signal lights or controlled intersections.
  • Cross where crossing guards are located. Crossing guard locations are determined by the local police.
  • Use the buddy system when walking to and from school.

Please share these recommendations. If you have additional tips, please let us know and we would be happy to add them to the list.

Wisconsin Weather Environment Statement

Wisconsin weather can vary highly, change quickly, and be highly dependent on the time of year.  As Wisconsin weather and environmental concerns are hazards that all students face, it is important for families to prepare accordingly to keep their child safe as they are getting to/from school or to their District provided bus stop.  These situations can include, but are not limited to, conditions being extremely hot or cold, light or dark, wet/humid, or exceptionally dry.  

 

Recommendations for a child/family in such situations are:

  1. Children should wear brightly-colored and/or reflective clothing, especially if waiting for the bus before sunrise or getting home after dark. This is both good for the bus driver to see them but also helps make oncoming cars aware of them too. Some examples include:
    1. Brightly colored and reflective safety vests.
    2. Reflective clothing items specifically designed for students such as; backpacks, hats, jackets, etc.
    3. Use a clip-on safety strobe light attached to their arm(s), hat, etc.
    4. Place removable reflective tape on their outer garments; including on their hats and coats.
  2. Children should have access to use a flashlight.
    1. This helps the child see where they are walking and also helps cars see the individual.
  3. Dress for the weather.
    1. A filled water bottle to help a child stay hydrated.
    2. A coat which not only provides warmth, but also deters wind or repels water.
    3. An umbrella, raincoat or waterproof poncho.
    4. Footgear that will keep their feet safe and dry.

Crossing Guards

The locations of crossing guards are determined by the local police department.

Crossing Guard Locations

  • 16th and Grange
  • 16th and Ohio
  • 16th and Roosevelt
  • 17th and Grange
  • 17th and Taylor
  • 17th and West
  • 21st and Kentucky
  • Arthur and Kinzie
  • Arthur and Osborne
  • Arthur and Washington
  • Bate and Taylor
  • Blue River and Kentucky
  • Blue River and Lathrop
  • Byrd and Roosevelt
  • Drexel and Durand
  • Goold and LaSalle
  • Graceland and Ohio
  • Howland and 6th
  • Kewaunee and Main
  • Kinzie and Ohio
  • Kinzie and Osborne
  • LaSalle and North
  • LaSalle and Romayne
  • M.L. King and West
  • Neptune and Yout
  • West and Wright

Planning

Have a plan:

  • In emergencies
    Have phone numbers available for your child on a separate piece of paper. It should be in a location easily accessible for the child. A minimum of 6 names should be on the list. Include cell, home and work phone numbers. Use top down order. Review the list with the student. Have locations set up by the parent for the child to go. Have at least 3 alternatives. Make sure you use reciprocal agreements with other parents, neighbors or relatives. Make a list of these locations as well.
  • If the student arrives home and the door is locked
    Have additional key(s) made. Suggestions would be to have one in the child's backpack or one at the neighbor's or one hidden so only your child will know where it is. Review this with your child. Or have an agreed upon location for your child to go. Have at least three alternatives. Make sure you use reciprocal agreements with other parents, neighbors or relatives. Make a list of these locations as well.
  • If the student arrives home and no adult is present
    Review what you would like your child to do. Should he/she make phone call first? Or have an agreed upon location for your child to go. Have at least three alternatives. Make sure you use reciprocal agreements with other parents, neighbors or relatives. Make a list of these locations as well.

These are suggestions only and have been developed by Racine area parents. If you have additional recommendations for the list, please let us know and we will add them.

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