North Platte Public Schools will be offering transportation to Middle School students between Adams Middle School and Madison Middle School. Middle School Reconfiguration will be implemented at the beginning of the 20152016 school year with all sixth graders attending Madison Middle School and all seventh and eighth graders attending Adam Middle School. Our #1 goal each day is to transport all student bus riders safely between the schools. In order to accomplish this goal, we need the cooperation of students, families, and community members.
Bus registration for all riders must be completed prior to riding the bus. Applications have been sent to all middle school students and are being accepted between Monday, August 10th, to Friday, August 14th. All applications for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students electing to ride the bus must be turned in at Adams Middle School. Students who will be riding the bus must accompany his/her parent/guardian to Adams when the application is turned in so that a photo ID can be created. Students will be issued a Photo ID Transportation Pass. In the event the Transportation Pass is lost/stolen, there will be a $5.00 replacement fee. Students MUST have their Transportation Pass in order to load the bus.
Transportation by school bus is not mandatory and is optional to families. This service is provided for those who wish to ride under the terms and guidelines established by the Nebraska School Law and District Guidelines. School buses will travel established and approved routes between the Middle Schools, there will not be neighborhood stops between the schools to pick up or drop off students.
An informal open house will be available to 6 th grade students registered for transportation from Adams to Madison on Monday, August 17th at 5:30 pm. Sixth-grade students and parents will be invited to walk through the morning routine for dropoff and pickup from the Adams site. Parents and their student will meet with administration on the West side of Adams Middle School outside under the awning where the picnic tables are located. A brief description and guided tour will be provided. Questions may be asked at this time, as well.
All pupil transportation vehicle drivers must meet the specific qualifications established by the employing district and requirements set by the Nebraska Department of Education and the DMV (DMV). These statutory requirements must be met to ensure safe and effective operation of pupil transportation vehicles. Student Transportation also abides by rules and regulations found in Nebraska Department of Education Rule 91, Regulations Governing Driver Qualifications, and Operational Procedures for Pupil Transportation Vehicles and Rule 92, Minimum Equipment Standards and Safety Inspection Criteria for Pupil Transportation Vehicles. These Rules have been adopted pursuant to Section 79318(13) of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska (R.R.S.).
School bus danger zones are the areas anywhere outside of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit, either by another vehicle or their own bus. The danger zones extend as much as 30 feet from the front bumper, 10 feet from the left and right sides of the bus and 12 feet behind the rear bumper of the school bus. In addition, the area to the left of the bus is always considered dangerous because of passing vehicles.
Please note the following:
* Nebraska State law requires that when a motorist approaches a school bus from either the front or rear, and the stop warning signal lights are flashing, the driver shall reduce their speed to not more than 25 miles per hour.
* If the bus stop signal arm is extended, the driver of a vehicle – coming from the front or rear – shall come to a complete stop until: the stop signal arm is retracted and the school bus resumes motion, or until signaled by the bus driver to proceed.
* When encountering a stopped school bus, motorists should slow down, pay attention and watch for students walking or running across the street.