Transportation

Student Transportation Portal | Eligibility for Transportation | Bus Rules | Changes in Transportation Arrangements | Group Stops | Morning Pick-Up | Elementary Student Drop-Off | Transporting Large Objects & Musical Instruments on School Buses | Contact | Policies | Winter Weather/Walker Policy

On extremely cold mornings, students who typically walk to school will be offered a ride. On those days, the district will notify parents via OneCall by 6:40 a.m. that this service is available.

For more information, please see Potsdam Central School District’s Winter Weather/Walker Policy.

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Bus Rules

• Bus driver is authorized to assign seats
• Observe same conduct as in the classroom.
• Be courteous, use no profane language.
• Do not eat or drink on the bus.
• Keep the bus clean.
• Cooperate with the driver.
• Do not smoke.
• Do not be destructive.
• Stay in your seat.
• Keep head, hands, and feet inside the bus.

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Changes in Transportation Arrangements

To maximize student safety, changes in transportation arrangements will be kept to an absolute minimum. Requested changes to regular pick-up and drop-off locations will be limited to two per week. Changes to regular pick-up and drop-off locations will only be approved on an emergency basis through the main office in each school building.

Requests for changes will not be taken over the phone. Families who request frequent changes for non-emergency purposes may be denied permission for changes.

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Group Stops

In heavily populated areas, the District may utilize group stops for students in Grades 5-12. Number of students at bus stops will be varied according to the concentration of riders in an area, the degree of traffic, the presence of stop signs, speed limits, and bus turnaround requirements. Elementary students will be picked up and dropped off at the door, except at apartment and housing complexes.

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Morning Pick-Up

Prior to the beginning of the new school year, bus drivers will call the parents of students on their route to let them know the approximate time the bus will arrive in the morning. These times may vary slightly during the first few weeks of school, but by mid-September, the routes are generally set and riders are expected to be outside waiting. From the time the bus comes to a stop, drivers will wait no more than 30 seconds for the student to board the bus.

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Elementary Student Drop-Off

Students in PreK-4 will not be dropped off unless an adult is visible to the driver. If an adult is not present, the student will be returned to the elementary school office and the parent(s) will be contacted. If the parent(s)/guardian(s) or an adult who has permission to pick up the child can not be reached or if the adult does not come to school to pick up the child by 4:45 P.M., the Potsdam Village Police Department will be called to pick up the child and take him/her to the station to await a parent/guardian.

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Transporting Large Objects/Musical Instruments on School Buses

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and federal regulations PROHIBIT bringing large items and large musical instruments on school buses that may interfere with the safety and comfort of passengers. No items can be transported that block the aisle or the emergency exits. All carry-on items must fit on a student’s lap or on the floor in front of the student.

Examples of items not allowed on buses include: Large musical instruments such as alto clarinet, bass clarinet, contra bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, cello, guitar, tenor saxophone, tuba, baritone horn, string bass; also large school projects, skateboards, bikes, fishing poles, skis and poles, and sleds. Lacrosse sticks and baseball bats are permitted on school buses only if they are stored in a store-bought zippered bag.

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