Transportation services are defined as the planned transporting of children to and from school. Incidental trips, such as transporting a sick child home before the end of the school day or taking a small group of children to and from required services, are not included within the transportation services compliance requirements.

School Bus Requirements

Each school bus transporting Head Start children must have the following equipment:

• A communication system to call for assistance in case of an emergency
• Safety equipment for use in an emergency, including a mounted fire extinguisher and a sign indicating the location
• A first aid kit and sign indicating the location
• A seat belt cutter for use in an emergency evacuation and a sign indicating the location
• Appropriate child restraint systems, by January 18, 2006, for the height and weight of each child on the school bus
• A reverse beeper system

Bus Monitor Requirements

Additionally, there will be at least one bus monitor on board the school bus with Head Start children. The bus monitor will be trained in the following duties:

• Child boarding and exiting procedures
• Use of child restraint systems
• Any required paperwork
• Responses to emergencies
• Emergency evacuation procedures
• Use of special equipment
• Child management skills
• Child pick-up and release procedures
• Pre- and post-trip vehicle check

ESC-20 Contact

Melissa Brown
Safety & Transportation Facilitator
(210) 370-5770
E-mail: melissa.brown@esc20.net