School Transportation Policy & Procedure

DOCUMENT CONTROL

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Application
3. Payment
4. Bus Stop and Bus Route Information
5. Communications and Concerns
6. Discipline
7. Code of Conduct for AFS School Bus Usage
8. Contact Details
9. Parent Consent Form

1.0 Introduction

1.1 This policy contains information that will assist you to register your child for the school bus service.

1.2 [NEEDS AFS INPUT: whether AFS operates a school bus service, and if so, whether buses are school-operated or provided by a contracted transport operator. This policy applies only if a bus service is offered, and provider-dependent details must be completed before publication.]

1.3 AFS is a KG1 – Grade 6 school: bus passengers are young children (approximately ages 3 – 12), and the arrangements in this policy — supervised boarding, adult attendants, and parent hand-over at bus stops — are set with that in mind.

2.0 Application

2.1 Once you have read the information and you decide to enroll your child for the school bus service, please complete the attached Student Enrollment Form and submit it to the school transport office prior to the beginning of the academic school year.

2.2 Please be advised that the following transport service regulations have been put in place to ensure the school transport service maintains a regular, punctual, and secure service at all times. Parents wishing to make use of this service are kindly requested to adhere to them at all times to enable the school to provide a smooth, efficient, and trouble-free service.

3.0 Payment

3.1 Once the application is accepted, parents will be required to make the necessary payment immediately. Please note that should your child be absent for any reason, you are still required to pay the fees in full.

3.2 Payment plans.

3.2.1 All students using the bus service (except those who are approved for free bus service) must pay the transportation fee by one of the two following payment options:

3.2.1.1 Annual payment plan — one-time payment for three terms;

3.2.1.2 Termly payment plan — three equal termly payments.

3.2.2 The preferred method of payment is by cash or check directly at the school's accounts office. Checks should be made payable to "Al Fajer Private School". [NEEDS AFS INPUT: confirm the exact payee name and the accepted payment methods, including any electronic payment options]

4.0 Bus Stop and Bus Route Information

4.1 The school buses will operate on routes officially recognized by the school's management. Please note that requests for route changes by a parent or a small group of parents will not be considered. Only the management will make changes to routes; these changes include cancelling routes, creating new routes, and changing stops, times, or the size of the bus, and will be made in accordance with the feasibility of implementing such changes.

4.2 Once the school has received the application request for the transport service, the stop will be fixed after inspecting the site.

5.0 Communications and Concerns

5.1 For any problem with the driver, the attendant, or a student, the parent should approach the school immediately.

5.2 Under no circumstances is a parent permitted to deal directly with the driver or attendant of any bus. This includes giving orders to bus-duty staff, drivers, teacher-escorts, or bus attendants on any matter whatsoever. Any problems relating to transport must be referred to the school transport office immediately.

5.3 Parents are also not allowed to speak to or deal with any child on the bus other than their own; should a matter be incident-related, they should report the issue immediately to the school transport office.

5.4 Parents should not hold up a bus for a child who is not ready. Children should be ready to board the bus five minutes before the expected time of arrival, and at the correct bus stop.

5.5 It is the parents' responsibility to escort their children to their appointed bus stops and to arrange to have their children picked up on their return from school. Because AFS students are young children, a known adult must be present at the stop for drop-off. If there is no one at the bus stop to receive the child, drivers are under instructions to bring the child back to school, and it will be the responsibility of the parent to collect the child from school, as no second trip will be made. Should your child for whatever reason miss his/her bus in the morning, it is the responsibility of the parents to make arrangements to get the child to school on time.

5.6 If parents decide not to use the school transport on any particular day and plan to collect their child from school with their own transport before the end of the day, they must inform the school transport office in advance. We strongly request that parents avoid, where possible, interrupting this routine, as it causes disruption to the school transport arrangements.

5.7 A minimum of 15 days' notice is required to notify the school transport office of any change requests. The school is under no obligation to meet these requests if they are impractical, and changes will be implemented only if feasible.

5.8 Should a parent not require transport for several days, the parent must fill in the required paperwork and submit it to the transport office at least two days in advance.

6.0 Discipline

6.1 Any student who misbehaves on the bus may be denied the use of future transport services and could be subject to age-appropriate action in line with the school's Behavior, Rewards & Sanctions Policy. Should the school receive a School Bus Incident Report concerning your child, the Principal will conduct an investigation of the incident and notify you accordingly of the incident and the outcome.

7.0 Code of Conduct for AFS School Bus Usage

7.1 An adult bus attendant/monitor accompanies students on the bus to supervise young children throughout the journey. [NEEDS AFS INPUT: AFS escort arrangements — confirm whether an attendant/monitor rides every bus; for a KG1 – Grade 6 school this is strongly recommended, particularly for KG routes]

7.2 All students traveling on school buses agree to abide by the following rules. Parents of younger children should go through these rules with their child in simple terms.

7.2.1 At the designated school bus stops and while boarding, students shall:

7.2.1.1 Not bring any other child onto the bus who is not a registered passenger;

7.2.1.2 Be on time at the designated school bus stop in order to keep the bus on schedule;

7.2.1.3 Conduct themselves in a safe manner by staying off the road while waiting for the bus to arrive;

7.2.1.4 Not talk loudly while waiting at the bus stop, so as not to disturb nearby residents;

7.2.1.5 Not litter or deface public or private property at bus stops at any time;

7.2.1.6 Not bring onto the bus any articles that may cause injury to other passengers, nor carry any articles that cannot be stored safely under the seat.

7.3 While on the bus, students shall:

7.3.1 Treat fellow passengers, the driver, and the bus attendants with respect at all times;

7.3.2 Wear the safety/seat belt throughout the whole journey;

7.3.3 Keep their hands, heads, and any other objects inside the bus at all times;

7.3.4 Not scream, talk or laugh loudly, or engage in any other behavior that may distract the driver's attention, which could result in an accident;

7.3.5 Treat the bus equipment with care at all times; should any passenger cause damage to a seat, window, or any other equipment, the student's parent(s) shall be notified and held responsible for paying for the damage caused;

7.3.6 Not eat or drink at any time, unless for necessary medical reasons;

7.3.7 Not tamper with any equipment on the bus;

7.3.8 Keep all aisles clear at all times — this includes no books, packages, coats, or any other objects;

7.3.9 In the case of a road accident, remain on the bus unless directed to do otherwise by the bus driver or attendant;

7.3.10 Not throw anything out of the bus window at any time;

7.3.11 Remain in their seats while the bus is in motion;

7.3.12 At all times obey the driver and the bus attendants.

8.0 Contact Details

8.1 If you have any queries regarding the bus service, please contact the school transport office:

8.2 Until a dedicated transport contact is published, general queries may be directed to the school's main reception: +973 1755 0011, contact@afs.edu.bh.

9.0 Parent Consent Form

I have read and understood the rules and regulations governing the Al Fajer Private School bus program and hereby agree and give consent to enroll my child in this program.

Signature of Parent or Guardian: ________________________________ Date: ___________________

Printed Name in Full: __________________________________________________________________