Dear 6th Grade Families,
As a part of your son’s sixth grade year they now will be provided direct transportation to school via a bus unless you live within 1.5 miles of the school (The School District does not use Map Quest or Google Maps to measure mileage). Unfortunately we do not control or manage any part of the logistics including but not limited to the bus stop location, the boundaries which qualify your student for a bus, or the actual timeliness of arrival by the busses during any part of their journey. We only oversee their behavior on the bus or while walking to or from school in order to ensure they are living up to the expectations of our code of conduct.
However in an effort to provide assistance to our families who partner with us we are always available to you should there be an issue. If there is an issue feel free to call the school at (215)-387-5149 ext. 300 and talk to Ms. Waters so she can document the issue, or email her at . For further action and to let your voice be heard also feel free to contact Transportation Services provided by the School District of Philadelphia at (215)-400-4350.
If Your Son Qualifies For the Bus
If your son qualifies for the bus please see the attached “Bus Agreement Policy”. This is a required document to allow your son to take the bus each day and memorialize your commitment to ensuring the transportation of all students is safe. This agreement is due to be returned and signed to the school by 10/1.
If Your Son Does Not Qualify For the Bus
If your son does not qualify for the bus see the attached “Walker Agreement Policy”. This is a required document to allow your son to leave the school premises without the accompaniment of an adult. Without the signature of this document your son will not be able to leave the premises of the school building without you having to arrange for an adult to directly pick him up. Therefore this agreement policy is due as soon as possible so that we can allow your son to go home by whatever way works best for you, and until the return of this signed document he will have to have an adult come get him from school to be able to leave the premises.
Sincerely,
Mario Dattilo
Dean of Students
FAQs
Will my son receive a transpass?
· 6th grade students are not eligible for transpasses.
How does the District measure the distance my son is away from BLMS?
· The district uses an internal mileage counter which is independent from Google Maps and Mapquest.
What if I have moved?
· If you have moved to a new address, please update your information with us by supplying a utility bill, mortgage statement, or lease. Cell phone, cable or bank statements are not acceptable.
How do I know if my son has qualified for the bus?
· A letter of eligibility will come from the School District by mail likely before school opens. Please contact the Transportation Department for any inquiries at 215-400- 4350.
When should my student get to the bus stop?
· All eligible students must report to their assigned stops as per the instructions from the School District 15 minutes before the bus arrives.
What is the protocol is the bus does not show up or is excessively late?
· If your student missed his bus for any of the following reasons ex: “Late Bus or No Show” you must contact the School District Transportation Department to notify them. You must contact Boys Latin Middle School via phone 215-387- 5149 ext. 300 or email so that we can update the attendance appropriately.
Is it possible for my son to lose bus privileges?
· Yes. Please see “Bus Agreement Policy” for more information.
What if my son does not qualify for the bus?
· Unfortunately because the qualification of who receives bussing services is out of our control there is nothing we can do. If your son does not qualify then he will have to be a walker. As such, he may walk home or to another destination you have approved with him once the Walker Agreement Policy is signed. Until then, he must be picked up and accompanied home by an adult until it is signed.
Bus Agreement Policy
All information pertaining to the expectations that we have for your son related to his behavior in his transportation to and from school can be found in the Boys’ Latin Student Handbook (pages 5,6,7). This handbook is provided inside of his agenda book and can also be found online. With that said, an abbreviated summary is provided just below:
“For the safety of all students, all regulations on the school bus must be obeyed at all times. Parents/guardians should be aware that students can lose their privilege if their behavior results in any disciplinary infractions while riding the bus. Misconduct on a bus will not be tolerated, as it may endanger the safety and well-being of others. The school bus driver is authorized to enforce safety and social standards on the bus in accordance with the Pennsylvania School Code; he/she has the same authority as a teacher. The relations of the operator and the student must be one of cooperation.”
Shall any student accrue three write-ups within a school year their bus privileges will be taken away immediately so that the rest of the students may be able to get to and from school safely. The write ups will be officially provided and monitored by our Dean of Students Mr. Dattilo. In his management of all 6th grade students on the busses the following step scale shall be followed:
Write Up #1: Detention
Write Up #2: Suspension
Write Up #3: Loss of bus privileges
Student Name (Printed):______
Student Signature: ______
Parent or Guardian Name (Printed): ______
Parent or Guardian Signature: ______
Walker Agreement Policy
It is our goal to ensure that all students within the Boys’ Latin community are safe in their route home from school. We have put into place a dismissal procedure in order to ensure your son’s safety. This procedure is called “Safety Corridors”. Within “Safety Corridors” we will have a staff member securing the direct perimeter of the school at every corner. This means there is at least one staff member at 63rd St. & Callowhill St., 63rd & Vine St., N. Felton St. & Vine St, and N. Felton St. & Callowhill St. This does not include other key areas such as the corner store nearest the school where we will also have a staff member.
With that said, it is an unfortunate reality that even with all we put in place that due to the distance which your son may travel we cannot ensure and manage his safety throughout the whole distance traveling home alone. As much as we wish we could, we cannot, and therefore maintain no liability or responsibility of your son’s safety once he exits the perimeter of our “Safety Corridors”. It is your responsibility as his parent or guardian to put into an action plan which will ensure of his safety each day.
We strongly recommend that for all 6th grade students who do not qualify for bus services that an adult accompanies them to and from school. However given the work schedules and busy lives which we all lead we understand this cannot always be done. Another recommendation is trying to car pool with another parent or guardian from the Boys Latin community.
Should neither of those options works for you it is then recommended to enact some of these strategies to ensure your son’s safety. Have your son text you when he is leaving school and when he gets home, provide him with money for SEPTA transportation so he does not have to walk the entire distance, or have him wait for you at a trusted family member’s house that may be closer to the school than where you are currently living.
***It should be noted that until this document is signed that no student who is a walker and does not receive bus services shall be able to leave the direct school premises unless they have the accompaniment of an adult. ***
Student Name (Printed):______
Student Signature: ______
Parent or Guardian Name (Printed): ______
Parent or Guardian Signature: ______