Transportation

Department Goals

• To provide safe and efficient transportation for the students of Bellevue Christian School.
• To staff buses with qualified Christian drivers and provide required training.
• To maintain ridership sufficient for efficient operation.
• To provide a flexible fee structure that will accommodate the various needs of Bellevue Christian School families.
• To maintain and operate buses that meet Washington State regulations.
• To promote efficient methods of travel by encouraging families to use car pools, BCS transportation services, or Metro.

Riding Time

Children ages 3-5 will not be allowed to ride the bus if their bus ride is more than 30 minutes. Bus routes and stops will be designed to provide safe and efficient transportation for students. Students are to be at their designated bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled time in the morning. Buses cannot wait at morning stops for late students, or afternoon stops for late parents. At the driver's discretion, younger riders may be returned to the junior/senior high campus if they are not picked up by parents.

Costs and Payment Policies

Families who rely on BCS Transportation Services and who want input on routes and bus stops are encouraged to sign up for round-trip or one-way service. Families who need service for only part of the year due to after school sports or activities are encouraged to purchase coupon books. Coupon books (one ride per coupon) are non-refundable. Bus coupons for students in grades K-6 must be signed by the parent/guardian. Coupons are available at each elementary school office and the junior/senior high bookstore. Riders must get off at designated stops on the bus route.

Transportation Service Contract 2008-2009

Payment Policies

• Payments for service and purchase of coupon books are made with the business office.
• Round trip and one way charges may be added to the monthly tuition payment.
• There are no refunds or prorations.
• There is no charge for the Junior/Senior High-to-Three Points shuttle and no charge for the Junior/Senior High-to-Mack Elementary shuttle.

Route and Bus Stop Policies

• Only parents who purchase round-trip or one-way service may request a bus stop.
• Location of bus stops and route changes are the sole responsibility of the BCS administration; appeals can be made to the Superintendent.
• Criteria for determining route changes or bus stops:
  1. Safety
  2. Number of families served by the stop
  3. Special circumstances (age of children, etc.)
  4. Route efficiency (time and cost)
• Unauthorized or unscheduled bus stops are not allowed.

Parent Representatives

Each year the Superintendent will appoint a parent representative for each route. Hopefully these representatives will assist in creating an atmosphere of support and cooperation in the management of our transportation service. Representative tasks include:

• Encourage parents to use the bus and reduce traffic.
• Serve as liaison between parents in a specific geographic area and the school.
• Provide input on the location of bus stops and on route changes.
• Serve as resources for marketing the bus service.
• Assist with student discipline on the buses.

Schedules

When school starts at 10 a.m., the morning kindergarten and morning preschool classes are canceled. All day kindergarten follows the altered schedule. Afternoon preschool and afternoon kindergarten operates on schedule.

Junior/Senior High Schedules

The Junior/Senior High will provide a special class schedule for days that start late. Unless notified otherwise, you may assume that all normal services and schedules, such as the switchboard, receptionist, and general supervision of the campus will begin at 10 a.m. However, events occurring before school, such as athletic practices, music and independent classes, will be canceled.

Afternoon Schedule

When limited transportation is used in the morning it will automatically be used in the afternoon. Please note the time and location changes for the afternoon limited transportation schedule.

Early Dismissal Due to Weather

When weather conditions require an early dismissal from school, listen to the radio, check email and the BCS website for dismissal time and for limited transportation announcements.

If weather conditions necessitate the elimination of a bus stop, the driver will let students off as close as possible to the scheduled stop or at one of our school family's home with instructions to call parents. We appreciate families working together to assure the safe arrival of our students. If students cannot be discharged safely, (young children must be discharged to a school family or designated adult) the driver will keep them on the bus and return to school and call the parents.

Bus Coupons

Families who do not normally use our transportation system may want to during adverse weather. Bus coupons for students in grades K-6 must include the date, student's name, bus stop location and be signed by the parent/guardian. Coupons are available at each elementary school office and the junior/senior high bookstore.

Families who use BCS Transportation services will receive Emergency Bus Schedules in November. If you do not receive yours, please call the Transportation Coordinator at 454-4402, ext. 205