Transportation

We encourage everyone to report Stop Arm violations, as doing so helps us keep students safe as they travel to and from school. Click here to report a stop arm violation.

• Obey the driver at all times.
• Follow all directions given by the driver when boarding and departing the bus. Do not cross the street until directed by the driver.
• The school bus is an extension of your school; therefore, all rules and code of conduct apply while riding the bus.
• Be seated immediately and properly (bottom on bottom, back on back and feet on floor in front of you) upon entering the bus in the seat assigned by the driver. Once on the bus, remain on board sitting properly until your stop, unless instructed by the driver.
• No standing or moving place to place during the trip (stay seated).
• Loud, boisterous or profane language or indecent conduct will not be tolerated.
• No windows or doors will be opened or closed except by permission of the driver.
• Students are required to be at their stops 10 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time.
• Only regularly assigned students are allowed to ride the buses. Special permission to ride the bus may be granted by the Principal and/or the Director of Transportation.
• Drivers are required to pick-up and drop-off students at their assigned stops only! Requests for exceptions to this rule must put in writing and approved by the principal in advance. There will be no exceptions!
• No eating, drinking or chewing gum on the bus.
• No animals, insects or other matter, which, in the opinion of the driver could be a deterrent to control or discipline, shall be allowed on board.
• No skateboards, basketballs or any other objects that would be considered flying projectiles by state law and transportation are allowed on the bus.

1. Driver warning
2. Driver warning and seat change
3. Referred to building principal
4. 1 to 3-day removal
5. 5 to 10 day removal
6. Removal for remainder of semester
7. Removal for rest of school year

• Fighting
• Threatening violence
• Throwing objects
• Damaging bus
• Disrespecting the bus driver

• Only the driver, students, and authorized personnel are allowed to ride a bus.
• The bus driver has the same relationship to the child as does the school teacher. It is his/her duty to maintain order on the bus at all times.
• Upon recommendation of the bus driver, school authorities can deny the privilege of riding the bus to any pupil who refuses to follow the rules listed below.
• The student will:
• Obey the driver promptly and respectfully. He/she is working for your safety; you must realize that the driver has a big responsibility and that it is your job to help.
• Be careful in approaching bus stops, walk on left facing on-coming traffic if there are no sidewalks along the roadside. On leaving the bus, if student is to cross the street, walk 10 steps ahead of the bus and wait for the driver to signal student to cross; never cross behind the bus.
• Avoid standing or playing on the road while waiting for the bus.
• Not destroy or damage surrounding property in any way while waiting for the bus. (Such damage results in discontinuance of bus "stops").
• Help keep the bus on schedule. Be at your stop ten (10) minutes before scheduled stop time.
• Not enter or leave the bus until it has come to a full stop and the door has been opened by the driver.
• Take his/her turn and avoid pushing when entering or leaving the bus.
• Be seated promptly and be careful not to block the aisles. No one is permitted to save seats. Remain seated until the bus stops. The driver has the authority to assign seats as he/she feels it is necessary.
• Remember that loud talking or laughing or unnecessary confusion diverts the driver's attention and may result in a serious accident. Classroom conduct is expected except for conversation in normal tones. There must be absolute quiet at railroads and major intersections.
• Not use profane language and will not show indecent conduct.
• Not be allowed to tease, scuffle, or handle each other.
• Not be permitted to open or close windows or doors except by permission of the driver.
• Treat bus equipment as valuable furniture in the home. Help keep the bus clean, sanitary and orderly. Deposit garbage in container at the front of the bus. No food or drink shall be consumed on the bus. Those who damage the bus will be expected to pay the damages.
• Do not smoke on the bus.

• Only enrolled students will be transported to and from school at their designated bus stops.
• Students are to ride the school bus as assigned to them by the Transportation Department according to their home address.
• Students needing to go to another address must have a note of parent permission approved by the building principal and given to the school bus driver. Parents/ Guardians must inform transportation at 219-763-8080. Students without notes will not be allowed to ride.
• Parents must provide the driver with an address and phone number to drop students at in case of early dismissal or emergency. Students should know this information as well.
• Parents are requested to inform the school office of any serious medical problems so the driver may be alerted to any special medical needs. Examples of these are allergies, asthma, seizures, diabetes or low blood sugar.
• Except in the case of an emergency or an evacuation drill, students shall enter or exit the bus by the front door only.
• All students will be instructed on emergency evacuation procedures by their drivers. All students will take part in the six (6) required evacuation drills per year.

Portage Township Schools will transport all students who reside in the district and who live outside the established walking boundaries.

Students will be expected to walk a reasonable distance to the school in which they are enrolled. The maximum walking distance shall not exceed one (1) mile for students in grades K-8 and one and one-half (1 1/2) miles for students in grades 9-12. The walking distance shall be considered as the shortest, most reasonable and safest route to walk to school.
 
Students who are transported may be required to walk a reasonable distance to established collection points. For each bus route, the established collection point(s) shall be determined by the Superintendent of Schools or a designee. The distance a student may be required to walk to a collection point shall not exceed one (1) mile for students in grades K-8 and one and one-half (1-1/2) miles for students in grades 9-12.
 
Using the above guidelines, Kindergarten students assigned to morning classes will walk or be transported to school by the Portage Township Schools. Morning kindergarten students will either walk or be provided transportation home at dismissal. Kindergarten students assigned to afternoon classes will either walk or be provided transportation to school. At dismissal, afternoon kindergarten students will walk or be transported home according to the above guidelines.

All Kindergarten students will have only one drop off point for the school year. Kindergarten students must be met at the bus stop by a parent or guardian. Any kindergarten student not met at their stop will be returned to school. Parents may authorize an older sibling to be responsible to meet the kindergarten student by providing written permission to the bus driver.

• Pre-trip inspection training
• Behind the wheel training
• Observation time on bus with a licensed CDL driver
• Student discipline
• Maintaining Bus State Requirements:
• Permits for knowledge, school bus, passenger, and air brake
• 3 day class conducted by the state
• CDL physical and physical fitness certificate
• Bus permit which is obtained when you are registered for 3 day class

In addition to the yellow school buses, Portage Township Schools uses Special Purpose Vehicles. These white mini-buses are used by teachers and coaches to transport small groups of students to activities or events.

To ensure the students are safe while in these vehicles, the teachers and coaches are trained for use of these vehicles. Their licenses are checked prior to vehicle use, and rechecked annually.

Anyone with questions should contact the transportation department.