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buslady-582
Advanced Member
USA
334 Posts |
 Posted - 02/15/2005 : 11:58:15 AM
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I never thought it would...didn't see how it possibly could.....I check my bus for sleeping children before I ever pull away from school. Here's how things went awry.
Noon route, Early Childhood, only 6 students. There's usually 1 or 2 sleeping when I get to school. I wake them up, get their backpacks on them, and have them stand in line to wait for the teachers(2) to come get them. Yesterday there was a car in my spot in front of the doors so I had to hang back about one bus length . The teachers ALWAYS come out to the bus and we talk about who rode in, who didn't etc. But because I wasn't close...and it was cold... they more or less stood by the door and motioned for the kids to get inside. I sent them all (I thought), even the two who are usually sleeping were awake this day. I walk back and check the bus and find a hat. I grab it and quickly run to the school doors before they close...they lock at that point. I get back on the bus and because of the way everythig went...the activity and all....it feels like I checked my bus. I get in my seat and drive home. Just as I'm pulling up in front of my house(a 12 min. trip) I see a head pop up in the seat! I'm not even thinking student...couldn't be.....I just didn't know....scared the heck right out of me !! I'm yelling "Who is it?!" (actually that part is funny in retrospect) Then I realize who it is....so off I go back to school. I radio base and tell them I found a sleeping student and am returning to school. Proper procedure...no questions asked...they know it was only a few minutes since I dropped off.
The point is...it can happen to anyone. I am always soooo careful.....I would never think of not checking my bus or cutting any corners, but still it happened. Thank God for the new child check systems we have. I hadn't gotten to that point of turning my bus off when I saw him but it would have saved us both. I would have to walk to the back of the bus to disarm it before I could shut the ignition off and I would have seen him them. It just really scared me! Today after I checked at school, I pulled over out of the driveway and checked again!! |
Edited by - buslady-582 on 02/15/2005 4:36:36 PM
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CountGirl
Top Member
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - 02/16/2005 : 07:19:58 AM
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Hugs to buslady. At least he found 'im!
And good job to Wisconsin for actually having that child check system.
CeeGee |
Give me a yellow object. Yes. Right now. I need my yellow chocolate, for goodness sake! |
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80-RE4
Top Member
USA
5700 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2005 : 7:44:45 PM
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Good job bus lady! Just do yourself a favor, DO NOT rely on the child check system, okay? The reason behind my statement is because they can and do malfunction.
Here's a situation- if Mary who drives bus 404 depends on that beeping from the system to remind her everyday, whats going to happen when the day comes that it malfunctions and it doesn't beep? The way I do it is, when I get into the yard and park, I keep my bus on, walk back, check all the seats, go to the front, do a double walk and double check, then press the child-check button, and then shut the bus down.
A few times last year I had to use a spare bus and many times, the system wasn't working. Then if you're ever in a situation where you have to use a spare, and it doesn't work (the child check system) you'll be in the habit of checking the bus without anything having to remind you.
Hope you don't mind my two cents!
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buslady-582
Advanced Member
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2005 : 2:57:38 PM
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| I appreciate your two cents! I like reminders and tips! I religiously check my bus. What you described is the way I do it also. I've always done that. We've only recently gotten the child check systems. Our systems don't allow you turn off the bus without walking back to push the button. (if you remove the key). Some drivers have figured out that if you turn the key to accessory it won't beep. This is a shame. Ofcourse they wouldn't leave it in accessory all night, but I know some do at other times. It's handy when you are waiting at school and don't want to idle so long, or you are fueling. But as with anything else...some abuse it. |
Bus Nut
see my " Buster" #582
1994 BB TC2000 http://home.new.rr.com/buslady582/mybus.JPG
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myschoolbusorg
Active Member
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2005 : 5:09:54 PM
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| I still believe in the "BOB" sheet. And I have stacks and stacks of'em to prove that after every trip the bus was checked. |
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rltinkey
Senior Member
USA
140 Posts |
Posted - 02/18/2005 : 7:35:50 PM
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You are so right, it could happen to any of us on any given day to have a sleeper on the bus. We get into a routine and become comfortable with every part of the route and when something interferes with the routine like a car parked in your spot,you having to hang back,the students having to walk instead of the teachers coming to escort them - someone can get overlooked.
This is why the safe guard of mandatory sleeper checks during a post trip prevents the sleeper from being abandon once the driver parks the bus. We have had three sleepers found on buses after they had returned to the bus depot and the driver was doing their post trip inspection. Like you they informed the dispatcher and promptly delivered the student to either their proper school or bus stop.
I'm happy every thing worked out for you and the sleeping student on your bus.
Ray The Bus Guy
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buslady-582
Advanced Member
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2005 : 05:07:48 AM
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myschoolbusorg, just wondering what happens to the driver who does not sign the sheet? Zero tolerance? Out the door? How often do you collect them? Are there spot checks to see if they are signing a days worth all at once? How exactly does it work?
I'm curious because it does sound like a good system....wondering about ways that drivers have found to get around it.
Is there really a "foolproof" system?
I think this part of training should be repeatedly gone over...this is a HUGE deal. Some people are just more conscientious than others. |
Bus Nut
see my " Buster" #582
1994 BB TC2000 http://home.new.rr.com/buslady582/mybus.JPG
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Edited by - buslady-582 on 02/19/2005 05:12:57 AM |
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JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2005 : 10:34:20 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by buslady-582
... I'm curious because it does sound like a good system....wondering about ways that drivers have found to get around it. Is there really a "foolproof" system?
Buslady,
Would suggest not jumping in on that system - it is riddled with go-a-rounds. The nearest to a fool-proof system are an overlapping series of checks throughout the day: A working video camera on every school bus; at each school, walking the bus WHILE RELEASING STUDENTS seat-by-seat; At the end of runs, when possible, pulling over somewhere and checking the bus; a school attendance back-up that works; and an electronic gadget difficult to defeat that requires the driver to check the bus at the lot or home. At my community's school district, sometimes during the day and always at the end of the day a mechanic also walks the lot looking for buses left unlocked, unreported damage and sleeping kids, finalizing each days checks. Under no circumstances should the statement, "I never forget to check my bus," be considered an adequate check-system, no matter who says it. (jk)
'Post-Checking' the bus: The last walk toward keeping kids safe
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Edited by - JK on 02/19/2005 10:39:46 AM |
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myschoolbusorg
Active Member
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2005 : 2:36:59 PM
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Buslady,
Hi, I am very fortunate in that I have more controls than most drivers. I developed a check-on/off sheet that I use to note the time that I pick up a child and a check mark that he got on the bus. When we get to school(and after we sing Zip a Dee Do Dah), my co-driver takes the sheet, totals the check marks and counts the kids that get off the bus. I meanwhile, walk backwards allowing each row of kids to leave (saves a lot of pushing/shoving). When I reach the back of the bus, I sign the BOB sheet. Then walk forward looking for hats and gloves, or perhaps a kid under the seat!!! I then tell my co-driver that the bus is empty, she tells me that the numbers match and we release the kids to the teacher. We drive 4 routes in and 4 routes home.
On the take home route, I check each child that gets on the bus and total. The co-driver also totals and we compare. If the numbers match we are ready to continue our take home procedures. At each stop, I note the time and check that the kid got off the bus. BTW, my parents come to the bus to get their child (yes every single one of them). After all the kids are off the bus, I certify the check off sheet. I pull over at a designated stop and walk the bus (of course the co-driver has already done this) for it is the bus driver who must sign the BOB sheet.
I need to make you aware though that the BOB sheet is for the driver. I was the admin that started it, and I always checked it when visiting a driver, but it is designed to raise the professional attitude of the drivers. (I am a believer that proper attitude plus proper procedures equate to fewer mistakes). There is a sense of pride in seeing your initials filling the BOB sheet, a contentment in knowing you did the whole job every day.
You may be able to find out more about this, but I can't seem to remember just where that is,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
When someone asks me if I check my bus, I don't say yes, I just hand them a stack of BOB sheets. They prove it. Because
I never forget to check my bus |
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buslady-582
Advanced Member
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2005 : 3:31:05 PM
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| Thank you all for responding. The bottom line is we are human and so it is possible to err...no matter how careful we are. Checks, checks, and rechecks are the only way to reduce the possibility. |
Bus Nut
see my " Buster" #582
1994 BB TC2000 http://home.new.rr.com/buslady582/mybus.JPG
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whe8913
Advanced Member
United States
301 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2005 : 6:33:13 PM
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| Buslady- don't beat yourself up too much and allow yourself to get overly paranoid. The main thing is for us drivers to, of course, check, but there is no point in being paranoid or worrying. Using common sense during checking is the best way to ensure the check has been conducted properly. The reason I bring this up is that in the last few weeks 2- TWO! school districts near me each had a child left on a bus- both were not properly checked at all! Finding a stray student is a whole different situation than completely forgetting to check for any students on the bus. If you find a stray student- YOU DID YOUR JOB- YOU FOUND THE STUDENT! There should be no feelings of inadequacy or guilt on your behalf. |
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whe8913
Advanced Member
United States
301 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2005 : 6:33:13 PM
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| Buslady- don't beat yourself up too much and allow yourself to get overly paranoid. The main thing is for us drivers to, of course, check, but there is no point in being paranoid or worrying. Using common sense during checking is the best way to ensure the check has been conducted properly. The reason I bring this up is that in the last few weeks 2- TWO! school districts near me each had a child left on a bus- both were not properly checked at all! Finding a stray student is a whole different situation than completely forgetting to check for any students on the bus. If you find a stray student- YOU DID YOUR JOB- YOU FOUND THE STUDENT! There should be no feelings of inadequacy or guilt on your behalf. |
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whe8913
Advanced Member
United States
301 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2005 : 6:42:30 PM
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WHOOPS- Not only was I not finished, I accidentally hit the enter button not once, but twice, and therefore two posts were sent. My apologies .
I also wanted to add my method and share it with you drivers on this forum. At my district, some of our buses have the electronic child-check systems, but most don't. Eventually, all buses will. However, in the mean time, those of us without electronic systems (including my bus) have a very inexpensive piece of red ribbon about 2 feet long attached to a magnet. At the end of our route, we hang the ribbon from the back window, sigifying we checked our bus. No red ribbon displayed equals trouble, of course. Of course we have to go to the back and bring the ribbon up to the front at the beginning of every route.
On my way back, I carry the trash can and ribbon and concentrate on the left side of the bus, looking for students and picking up any trash I find. I hang the ribbon and work my way up the right side of the bus doing the same as the left side. I put the trash can back and go to the back door from the outside. I open it and look under the seats, checking for anything. This way, you get a complete check of the bus AND get the trash picked up. It works very well.
Have a good one! |
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buslady-582
Advanced Member
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 02/19/2005 : 7:39:48 PM
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Thanks whe8913. You are right. Common sense is required! The rest of that day and the next I did feel paranoid...I kept rechecking my recheck! It really scared me...but wake up calls are valuable!
We just recently (this school year) went to the electronic systems. We always just had a plastic yellow placard that we carried to the back of the bus and hung in the window when ever the bus was parked. When the bus was in motion it was up front with the driver. The problem with that was...you would see buses driving around town with their card in the window..the drivers were not moving them. It used to make me sooooo mad!
What would happen to one of your drivers if they were seen driving around with their ribbon in the window?
Also...thanks for the tip...looking thru the back door at ground level is an excellent way of looking under seats! |
Bus Nut
see my " Buster" #582
1994 BB TC2000 http://home.new.rr.com/buslady582/mybus.JPG
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Edited by - buslady-582 on 02/20/2005 05:26:29 AM |
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whe8913
Advanced Member
United States
301 Posts |
Posted - 02/20/2005 : 07:32:51 AM
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OH YES- The drivers that did not do their ribbons correctly were the first ones to get the "buttons" as I affectionately call the child-check systems (since you have to go to the back and push the button ).
We are lucky. Almost all of our drivers are very conscientious for checking for students. You have to be. |
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scottyd
Advanced Member
USA
491 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2005 : 03:51:18 AM
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| PLEASE DON'T GET ME WRONG--I always do a post trip--several times--but driving special ed, I've never had more than 6 kids on my bus at one time (except for field trips--then there are several teachers and parents along), so it's easy to count--6 on, 6 off. |
Scott
Driving America's Future |
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IC-RE
Top Member
USA
4117 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2005 : 08:55:30 AM
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| A couple of years ago, my friends fell asleep on their bus it didn;t have the chile check mat because it was a 1990 Blue Bird TC2000. t was in the afternoon, and after she dropped the kids off, she went to my neighborhood starbucks, it just so happened that my mom was taking me there at the same time. We saw the bus and I looked in it like I always do, and there were my two friends who just woke up trying to get out of the bus because the driver locked the door. it was so funny, my mom ran in and got the driver, and then we drove them home. LOL |
 bus 1980, a 2008 IC RE 300 for Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax, Virginia. |
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overbyja
Senior Member
USA
123 Posts |
Posted - 02/24/2005 : 7:12:16 PM
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| I'm sure mine is not the only district that does this, but when a bus returns to the garage, the driver has to walk to the back of the bus and stick a pink "EMPTY" sign on the back window. That way if a driver walks by and doesn't see a sign in someone's window, they can take whatever actions are necessary. |
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IC-RE
Top Member
USA
4117 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2005 : 12:15:05 PM
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| We are supposed to do that too, but the driver was in between runs and didn't think to do that, now, i notice that my driver pull off to the side after she finishes every run to make sure she is empty |
bus 1980, a 2008 IC RE 300 for Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax, Virginia. |
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Northern SBD
Senior Member
75 Posts |
Posted - 03/04/2005 : 9:35:50 PM
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Hi... I have to believe that any negative experience like yours buslady makes you a better driver...
I too missed a child on my bus... but luckily I had decided to run a broom in my bus before I left it for the morning... and there she was curled up sleeping away... I hadn't actually left the school yard at that point..but it really scared me to think that by the grace of god I really could have....
Now I purposely walk the walk to the back each run cause I know unless I purposely note the bus is completely empty, anything could happen... |
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OMG! "IT" happened to me!
