Transportation

Transportation Application for Nonpublic Schools

Section 3635 of New York State Education Law mandates that trans­por­ta­tion be provided for pupils in grades K-6 who live more than two miles but not more than fifteen miles from the school they legally attend.

Transportation for lesser or greater distances may be provided by a vote of the district. The voters of Bellmore School District have authorized a more liberal policy. The general policy regarding provision of trans­por­ta­tion for school children in the Bellmore School District is as follows: grades 1-6, over one-half mile; all kin­der­gar­ten children are eligible regardless of the distance. This policy is applicable to public schools and to nonpublic schools situated up to fifteen miles from a pupil's residence. Parents of children attending non-public schools are required by law every year to file a formal request for transportation for their children prior to April 1st preceding the school year involved. A separate request form must be submitted to the Business Office for each child to be transported.

With the exception of handicapped students, distance is the sole de­ter­mi­na­tion of general eligibility for transportation. Distance is measured by a licensed survey company via the nearest available route from the center of the street opposite the front door of a residence along the center line of streets to the curbline of the nearest usable entrance to the school grounds.

Mileage determinations may be appealed in writing to the Board of Education. All requests for a re-survey must be accompanied by a certified check made payable to the Board of Education in an amount to be determined by the surveying company. A re-survey will be conducted, and if it is determined that the original measurement is incorrect, the check will be returned. If the original measurement is accurate, the check will be used to defray the cost of the measurement. In all cases, the figures arrived at will be final.

Note: Only those children entitled to bus transportation may ride the bus to and from school

 

Safety Rules For School Bus Children

The following list of rules has been established to protect the safety of children who ride the school bus. Please review them carefully and periodically with your children.
 

  • Use a safe route in walking to the bus stop.
  • Arrive at the school bus stop in time. Do not run to board the bus or race for certain seats on the bus.
  • Wait for the bus in an orderly manner. Respect the homes adjoining the bus stop area. Be careful of property at and near bus stops so that lawns, hedges, fences, trees, shrubs, and buildings are not damaged.
  • Obey your bus driver. The bus driver is responsible for the safety of the passengers on the bus, as well as the safe operation of the bus and has full authority at all times. 
  • Take your seat quickly. Remain seated from the time you enter the bus until you leave. Take good care of the bus and the bus seats.
  • Keep the aisle clear. Hold books, small musical instruments, or other be­long­ings in your lap. Large musical instruments (baritones, large trombones, etc.) and large projects are not permitted on school buses. Alternate arrangements should be made for transporting these objects. Keep your feet and legs out of the aisles.
  • Good behavior contributes to your safety. Do not annoy other children on the bus by making remarks or by doing anything that disturbs others. Talk in ordinary classroom tones. Don't shout.
  • Use care when leaving your bus stop. Get on or off at the proper bus stop. Written office permission must be received if you are to use a different bus stop. Always use the same precautions when leaving your bus stop as you do when approaching it. Keep away from the side of the bus as it pulls away.
  • Report safety violations to the school principal's office as soon as possible.
  • Cross at least TEN FEET in front of the bus to enable the driver to see you crossing.
  • Children are not permitted to go home on a bus other than their own unless special permission is given by the building administrator due to an emergency situation.
     

Bus Company Contact Information

If your child does not arrive home in a timely manner or has left items on the school bus such as backpacks, jackets, etc. contact the school or the Transportation Office at 679-2907. After 4:30 p.m. call Guardian Bus Company at 516- SAFE-BUS (723-3287). 

Town of Hempstead Program