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Given that physical distancing will be difficult to maintain on school buses, we are asking families to consider alternative options for pick-up and drop-off of their child, such as walking, parent transport, or carpooling if possible. To ensure safety, new traffic patterns may be put in place at the schools to accommodate the increased vehicle and foot traffic to and from schools. This may include new loading and unloading locations and/or procedures for buses and cars. Students who are dropped off by families may be asked to come at staggered times to alleviate traffic congestion. Parent pick-up and drop-off will be specific to each school and will be shared along with other school-specific updates.
Only resident students will be assigned routes and we are asking families with two primary households to coordinate one household for your bus stop if possible. Routes are being reconfigured to minimize the number of students per vehicle as much as possible.
The following students will not be routed:
- Open enrollment students
- High School Students who live within a one-mile radius from the school
- Students enrolled in the Fully Digital Semester Option
It is anticipated that ridership will be lower as some families have selected the Full Semester Virtual Option. This will help mitigate social distancing to some degree; however, this may change in the spring if the Full Semester Virtual Option is no longer necessary. The district will continue to re-evaluate the situation and may need to adjust routes in the second semester if necessary.
Mitigation Measures:
We continue to work directly with First Student on mitigating measures to reduce risks for our school community when students are able to return. The following measures have been decided to date:
1) Parents are asked to self-monitor their children each morning prior to riding the school bus or attending school. Students with symptoms should stay home. The district or school will be providing guidelines and expectations to follow before returning to school.
2) Students will be required to wear a face-covering while on the school bus to reduce the potential spread of the virus to other students and drivers, and given the inability to adequately physical distance on a school bus. Please have discussions with your child about its importance and how this will be required in the classroom setting as well.
3. Siblings may be asked to sit together
4. Parents are recommended to provide a small carry on hand sanitizer or tissues for their child
5. Students are asked to physically distance themselves from others at bus stops and stops may be limited to 5-10 students if possible
6. Eating, drinking (unless medically required), and chewing gum will be prohibited on the bus
7. Drop-off and pick-up processes may be modified to allow for physical distancing and limit congregating
8. Students may be assigned seats. Schools will send this information out once available.
9. Ventilation systems will operate while students are on the bus and windows may remain partially open to increase circulation of outdoor air as weather permits
10. Bus drivers will wear face coverings when the bus is stopped for longer than a drop-off/pickup at home
Cleaning & Disinfecting
1. All buses and vehicles used to transport students will be inspected for cleanliness and safety
2. Adequate amounts of cleaning equipment and hygiene supplies will be secured by the bus company who will use products recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), local health departments, and/or risk management professionals
3. Buses will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis, and in between routes, as necessary
Kids Connection Before and After School Care
When deciding to participate in transportation, the Greenfield Recreation Department will continue to provide Kids Connection before and after school care for those families who will need it.
Communications
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