Parent & Student Responsibilities

Parent Responsibilities

1 – Students must utilize DC SchoolConnect services on a regular basis. Parents must notify DC SchoolConnect if their child will not be riding for 5 or more days due to illness or other reason. Students who do not ride for 5 school days in a row or more may be removed from the vehicle roster. To inform DC SchoolConnect of your child’s absence for 5 or more days, contact DC SchoolConnect:

By completing the Long Term Absence Form
By phone: 855-435-3835
By email: DCSCleave@dc.gov

2 – Students must be on time to the vehicle stop in the morning. The vehicle may wait up to three minutes past the scheduled pick-up time before proceeding to the next stop, but students who are habitually late will be removed from the vehicle roster. Drivers and TAs will not call to check on your status. The vehicle will not return to the stop for any reason, as this causes students later along the route to miss the vehicle and/or the vehicle to arrive late to school.

3 – If your child is in grades K through 3, you or one of your designated adults must meet the DC SchoolConnect vehicle at the vehicle stop after school. The TA will have a list of adults authorized to receive each student and will only release to someone on that authorized list. Adults receiving children in grades K through 3 will be required to show identification. If the authorized adult is regularly late for pick-up, the rider may be removed from the DC SchoolConnect roster. If no authorized adult comes to the vehicle stop within a reasonable amount of time, the child will be returned to school or taken to the nearest police station.

4 – Any student in grade 4 or higher is permitted by DC SchoolConnect to walk home from the vehicle stop. It is up to you as the parent or guardian to decide whether that is appropriate for your child as a product of their age, maturity, and conditions along their route. If you do not feel that it is appropriate for your child to walk alone, then you should accompany your child to and from the vehicle stop or arrange for someone you trust to do so. You are responsible for selecting your child’s routes to and from the stop.

5 – Parents must keep a current and working phone number on file with DC SchoolConnect in case of emergency.

6 – Explain to your child the DC SchoolConnect vehicle safety rules and appropriate vehicle riding behavior.

7 – Space on DC SchoolConnect vehicles can be tight. Large instruments and school projects may need to be carried on your student’s lap. Otherwise, large items must be transported by you.

8. You may call DC SchoolConnect or contact your TA to cancel afternoon service if you won’t need it that day. However, once cancelled for the day, it cannot be reinstated for that day.

Student Responsibilities

1 – Always follow any and all safety instructions provided by the vehicle driver and transportation assistant (TA). It is their job to look out for your safety.

2 – Always be on time to the DC SchoolConnect stop. Always board and depart the vehicle at your designated stop only.

3 – Always board and exit the vehicle properly and safely. Stand back from the curb. Do not run near the vehicle. Wait your turn to get on and off of the vehicle. Don’t push or shove.

4 – Never crawl underneath a DC SchoolConnect vehicle. If you drop something near the outside of the vehicle, tell the driver and assistant and he or she will tell you what to do.

5 – Always stay in your assigned seat, if applicable, unless the driver and/or assistant tells you otherwise. Keep your seatbelt fastened. The transportation assistant may assign seats and change them as needed if there is disruptive behavior on the vehicle.

6 – Always talk quietly to the people sitting around you. Yelling and horseplay can startle or distract the driver and cause an accident. Bullying, yelling, and vulgar or abusive language will not be tolerated.

7 – Always use your cell phone quietly. Use headphones if you are playing games with the sound on, listening to music or watching videos.

8 – Always wait for the okay from the driver or TA before crossing the street. Always cross the street at least 10 feet in front of the vehicle so the driver can see you.

9 – Always keep all parts of your body inside of the vehicle.

10 – Always keep your hands to yourself. Fighting, tripping, shoving, etc., will not be tolerated.

11 – Never eat food or drink on the vehicle. Water is the only exception.

12 – Always keep the vehicle clean. Gum may not be chewed on the vehicle. No littering inside or outside of the vehicle.

Parent Responsibilities

1 – Students must utilize DC SchoolConnect services on a regular basis. Parents must notify DC SchoolConnect if their child will not be riding for 5 or more days due to illness or other reason. Students who do not ride for 5 school days in a row or more may be removed from the vehicle roster. To inform DC SchoolConnect of your child’s absence for 5 or more days, contact DC SchoolConnect:

By completing the Long Term Absence Form
By phone: 855-435-3835
By email: DCSCleave@dc.gov

2 – Students must be on time to the vehicle stop in the morning. The vehicle may wait up to three minutes past the scheduled pick-up time before proceeding to the next stop, but students who are habitually late will be removed from the vehicle roster. Drivers and TAs will not call to check on your status. The vehicle will not return to the stop for any reason, as this causes students later along the route to miss the vehicle and/or the vehicle to arrive late to school.

3 – If your child is in grades K through 3, you or one of your designated adults must meet the DC SchoolConnect vehicle at the vehicle stop after school. The TA will have a list of adults authorized to receive each student and will only release to someone on that authorized list. Adults receiving children in grades K through 3 will be required to show identification. If the authorized adult is regularly late for pick-up, the rider may be removed from the DC SchoolConnect roster. If no authorized adult comes to the vehicle stop within a reasonable amount of time, the child will be returned to school or taken to the nearest police station.

4 – Any student in grade 4 or higher is permitted by DC SchoolConnect to walk home from the vehicle stop. It is up to you as the parent or guardian to decide whether that is appropriate for your child as a product of their age, maturity, and conditions along their route. If you do not feel that it is appropriate for your child to walk alone, then you should accompany your child to and from the vehicle stop or arrange for someone you trust to do so. You are responsible for selecting your child’s routes to and from the stop.

5 – Parents must keep a current and working phone number on file with DC SchoolConnect in case of emergency.

6 – Explain to your child the DC SchoolConnect vehicle safety rules and appropriate vehicle riding behavior.

7 – Space on DC SchoolConnect vehicles can be tight. Large instruments and school projects may need to be carried on your student’s lap. Otherwise, large items must be transported by you.

8. You may call DC SchoolConnect or contact your TA to cancel afternoon service if you won’t need it that day. However, once cancelled for the day, it cannot be reinstated for that day.

Student Responsibilities

1 – Always follow any and all safety instructions provided by the vehicle driver and transportation assistant (TA). It is their job to look out for your safety.

2 – Always be on time to the DC SchoolConnect stop. Always board and depart the vehicle at your designated stop only.

3 – Always board and exit the vehicle properly and safely. Stand back from the curb. Do not run near the vehicle. Wait your turn to get on and off of the vehicle. Don’t push or shove.

4 – Never crawl underneath a DC SchoolConnect vehicle. If you drop something near the outside of the vehicle, tell the driver and assistant and he or she will tell you what to do.

5 – Always stay in your assigned seat, if applicable, unless the driver and/or assistant tells you otherwise. Keep your seatbelt fastened. The transportation assistant may assign seats and change them as needed if there is disruptive behavior on the vehicle.

6 – Always talk quietly to the people sitting around you. Yelling and horseplay can startle or distract the driver and cause an accident. Bullying, yelling, and vulgar or abusive language will not be tolerated.

7 – Always use your cell phone quietly. Use headphones if you are playing games with the sound on, listening to music or watching videos.

8 – Always wait for the okay from the driver or TA before crossing the street. Always cross the street at least 10 feet in front of the vehicle so the driver can see you.

9 – Always keep all parts of your body inside of the vehicle.

10 – Always keep your hands to yourself. Fighting, tripping, shoving, etc., will not be tolerated.

11 – Never eat food or drink on the vehicle. Water is the only exception.

12 – Always keep the vehicle clean. Gum may not be chewed on the vehicle. No littering inside or outside of the vehicle.