Eurocampus

SCHOOL BUS HANDBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Page Foreword and Definitions Registration for School Bus Service Areas covered and Rules for Pick-up and Drop-off Points Safety Standards Parents' Duties and Responsibilities The Bus Company Supervisor (BCS) Rules applying to the Bus Crew Daily Procedures Proper Conduct and Disciplinary Measures Emergency Procedures and Communication Emergency Telephone Numbers 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 9 10

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FOREWORD AND DEFINITIONS The European Educational Foundation, Inc (Foundation), being concerned with the safety and efficiency of school bus services availed of by the students of cole Franaise de Manille (EFM) or Deutsche Schule Manila (DSM) or European International Baccalaureate School (EIBS), has agreed to promote the school bus services of a Contractor, who has represented that it possesses sufficient facilities, personnel and legal capacity to provide safe and efficient school bus services to the Schools students. This manual seeks to outline the conduct of the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE of the CONTRACTOR, in accordance with the standards set by the FOUNDATION under the Agreement on Rules for School Bus Service. It also contains the responsibilities of the CONTRACTOR and the PARENTS under the Contract for School Bus Service. This manual does not cover any other private or public bus service used by the students. Please read the School Bus Handbook carefully before registering your child/children for the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE.

Definitions of Terms used in this Manual: FOUNDATION : Refers to the European Foundation, Inc. (Foundation). Educational

SCHOOL

: Refers to either cole Franaise de Manille (EFM) or Deutsche Schule Manila (DSM) or European International Baccalaureate School (EIBS) or all three schools together, or to the premises on which these establishments are situated, depending on the context. : The transport service rendered by the CONTRACTOR, whereby the CONTRACTOR shall a) pick-up the STUDENT from a prearranged destination and transport the STUDENT to the SCHOOL; and b) shall bring the STUDENT from the SCHOOL back to the pre-arranged destination, as regulated by the Contract for School Bus Service between CONTRACTOR and the PARENTS.

SCHOOL BUS SERVICE

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CONTRACTOR

: The bus transportation company providing the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE : A student of the SCHOOL duly registered for SCHOOL BUS SERVICE : A parent or guardian of a STUDENT who has executed the Contract for School Bus Service with the CONTRACTOR. : Bus Driver and Bus Attendant(s)

STUDENT PARENT

BUS CREW

RULES / REGULATIONS : Any provision/stipulation included in this Handbook, the "Agreement on Rules for School Bus Services", Contract for School Bus Service or any other standard or stipulation concerning SCHOOL BUS SERVICE as agreed upon by the CONTRACTOR/Bus company and the PARENTS BUS COMPANY SUPERVISOR (BCS) : Employee of the bus company/Contractor In-charge of the bus coordination with the school and of the supervision regarding drivers and lady bus attendants, or BCS

REGISTRATION FOR SCHOOL BUS SERVICE PARENTS who wish to avail of SCHOOL BUS SERVICE for STUDENTS will be required to each execute a Contract for School Bus Services with the CONTRACTOR. Co-ordination and supervision of this service is carried out by a Bus Company Supervisor (BCS) (see section Definition of terms BCS). In order for the Bus Company Supervisor to represent common interests of the PARENTS vis--vis the CONTRACTOR, PARENTS will also be required to enter into an Agency Agreement with the FOUNDATION. It is assumed that by signing the aforementioned agreement PARENTS have committed themselves and their children/wards to comply with the provisions of this Handbook. Please note that the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE is ultimately provided by a transport company. Therefore, the participation of your children/wards in the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE requires that they have the necessary maturity and discipline to follow the rules contained in this manual. Should you feel that your child/ward requires supervision beyond the procedures described here we advise you to make your own arrangements for

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additional supervision during transport or consider alternative transport solutions in accordance with your specific needs. Forms for the above mentioned agreements can be obtained at the Bus Company Supervisor (BCS) office and the signed agreements should be routed through this office in order to assure their consideration in the scheduling and route planning for the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE. The aforementioned agreements have a validity of one year and must be renewed for subsequent school years, following the same procedure. Please complete these steps as early as possible before the start of every school year, in order to facilitate appropriate planning of routes and schedules. The SCHOOL BUS SERVICE cannot be provided for a STUDENT unless: a. The steps listed above are completed. b. The bus fee is paid to the CONTRACTOR as stated in the Contract for School Bus Services. c. The CONTRACTOR offers a bus link to and from the student's area of residence (which depends on demand) or (in case their residence is not in one of the areas serviced) the PARENTS agree to bring STUDENTS to - and pick them up from - another area to and from which the CONTRACTOR offers a bus link.
d.

The RULES AND REGULATIONS are complied with.

AREAS COVERED AND RULES FOR PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF POINTS At present, the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE covers the following areas: Alabang, Dasmarias, Forbes Park, Magallanes, San Lorenzo and Urdaeta. The coverage as well as the quantity and location of pick-up points can change in accordance with demand. Unless otherwise agreed (e.g. minibus-service) pick-up and drop-off will be at locations to be determined by the Bus Company Supervisor in accordance with demand and the applicable regulations of the villages. The number of stops per bus/route is limited to a maximum of three. SAFETY STANDARDS In order to ensure the safety of passengers using the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE, the schools have required the CONTRACTOR to meet specific requirements for the buses, the equipment on board as well as the capabilities and duties of the BUS CREW. This agreement is available for your review upon request.

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Many provisions of this handbook also seek to assure safety during school bus transportation. Should you or your child observe any violation of these rules, you should immediately bring this to the attention of the bus attendant and/or the Bus Company Supervisor (BCS)

PARENTS' DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The PARENTS are advised to organise themselves by villages in order to discuss and find consensus on issues of common interest. We further suggest that these village groups appoint speakers to guarantee efficient communication with the Bus Company Supervisor (BCS) (see section: " Bus Company Supervisor"). A speaker shall be recognised as the representative of the PARENTS, provided he/she has been elected (with simple majority) in an assembly where at least 50% of the PARENTS of the respective village participated. - Parents inform their children/wards of all Rules and REGULATIONS related to their conduct and make them conscious of the consequences of misbehaviour. They ensure the presence of their children/wards at the bus station at the defined departure time in the morning. They help the bus attendants in ensuring orderly boarding and alighting at the designated bus stations in the morning and in the afternoon respectively. They ensure that those STUDENTS who are not authorised to proceed from the bus station to the residence on their own are picked up at the bus station upon arrival time in the afternoon. (see "Daily Guidelines" Nos. 6. & 7.) They report cases of lack of discipline as well as non-compliance with RULES and REGULATIONS (e.g. by passengers or transport company's staff) to the BCS for referral to the parents or the School Administrators for the proper disciplinary action. Parents are responsible for updating information on the STUDENTS kept by the BCS, such as route, assigned bus stop in the respective village, grade, residential address, PARENT's contact numbers.

(Note: Please consider that the Bus Company may refuse to transport a STUDENT if the transport fees under the Contract for School Bus Services remain unpaid.) THE BUS COMPANY SUPERVISOR The Bus Company supervisor acts as the liaison person between the SCHOOLS, the CONTRACTOR and the PARENTS. He receives comments and requests from PARENTS. Violations of RULES and REGULATIONS as

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well disciplinary problems related to the transport are communicated to the BCS who will report these incidents to the SCHOOL for appropriate action. In case the violation committed warrants suspension from SCHOOL BUS SERVICE as a disciplinary measure, he will recommend the same to the CONTRACTOR. The Bus Company Supervisor makes recommendations to the CONTRACTOR regarding routing, and other procedures. He ensures that the CONTRACTOR performs within the terms of the Agreement on Rules for School Bus Service and he supervises the compliance of the CONTRACTOR with agreed upon standards and procedures. Beyond this, he makes recommendations for improvement of any matter related to SCHOOL BUS SERVICE to the CONTRACTOR and to the SCHOOL Administrators/ Headmasters. The BCS also compiles for every route a lists of standard passengers including each passenger's name, grade, address, contact numbers of PARENTS and he ensures that all of the lists are on board each of the buses at all times. These lists are vital for keeping track of the presence of passengers on each bus and will also help the BUS CREW to verify a passenger's entitlement to SCHOOL BUS SERVICE. He oversees the arrival and departure of all buses at the school premises and assists STUDENTS who are lost, tardy, or who have missed the school bus. He assists the bus attendant to find solutions for STUDENTS not picked up by an authorised guardian at their village bus stop and helps PARENTS whose children/wards have not arrived as scheduled by acting as communication hub in these cases. He also activates the telephone chains in case PARENTS and/or the Schools need to be informed about delays in the arrival of a bus (e.g. due to weather situation, accident, etc.) Beyond the enforcement of established RULES and REGULATIONS, the BCS will accept suggestions and requests from PARENTS and he will strive to accommodate them while keeping the interests and rights of other PARENTS and of the FOUNDATION in mind. We recommend that PARENTS organise themselves (ideally by villages) in order to find a consensus on suggestions, particularly on those that seek modification of established routines, before submitting them to the BCS (see section "Parents' Duties and Responsibilities"). In case of conflicting interests - and in absence of other constraints - the BCS will decide based on the number of PARENTS who support a particular request. RULES APPLYING TO THE BUS CREW The BUS CREW is responsible for the safety and welfare of all their passengers. Rules and guidelines applying to the BUS CREW are set up by the CONTRACTOR, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement on Rules for School Bus Service and the Contract for School Bus Service, and are to be strictly enforced. Among them is the prohibition for the BUS CREW to smoke, listen to radio or engage in conversation other than for

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the purpose of exchanging information relevant to the task, while on board. Besides other duties described in detail in the Agreement on Rules for School Bus Service, the bus attendant is responsible for completing the list of passengers as and when these board the bus. A list of regular passengers is provided by the BCS for each route. The bus attendant marks the actual attendance of regular passengers and adds the names of additional passengers. This list is of utmost importance in order to keep track of passengers in cases of emergency evacuation of an immobilised bus or if a passenger is not accounted for by the SCHOOL or the Parents. PARENTS and STUDENTS are advised not to give orders or make requests to the BUS CREW, which would be in conflict with existing RULES and REGULATIONS. If you notice or hear from your child that safety regulations are being ignored by the BUS CREW, please turn in a report to the Bus Company Supervisors Office promptly. The Bus Company Supervisor will recommend that appropriate measures be taken. DAILY PROCEDURES 1. Buses will leave the designated pick-up points on schedule and will not wait for late passengers. It is strictly prohibited to board the bus along the route. 2. All exits on the large and medium buses are controlled and operated from the drivers position. Passengers are to enter and leave the bus from the front exit. The rear exits may not be used except in an emergency. 3. If a bus does not show up 10 minutes after the scheduled departure time, contact the BCS.
4.

Each bus carries a list of standard passengers, in order to facilitate the recording of presence on the bus. STUDENTS are, however, allowed to use different routes (subject to availability of seats) if they are authorised by their PARENTS accordingly (e.g. to visit classmates). Bus attendants are not required to verify such authorisation. It is the responsibility of the PARENTS to advise their children/wards accordingly. STUDENTS boarding a bus to which they are not regularly assigned are required to identify themselves to the bus attendant for verification of entitlement to the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE and proper recording of their presence on the bus. In case of change of permanent address, please inform the BCS for the respective modification of standard passenger records.

5. The bus attendant will observe that no STUDENTS below the age of 10 will be seated in the first or in the last row of the large buses. (Different rules may apply to the minibuses/vans.)

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6. The buses will unload passengers at the SCHOOL parking area and will leave from the same place, according to schedule. Upon arrival at the school in the morning Pre-school and Kindergarten STUDENTS will be accompanied by the bus attendant to the designated Meeting Point. For the trip home, the assigned teachers will accompany these STUDENTS to their respective bus.
7.

On the way home, upon arrival at the respective drop-off points, all STUDENTS will be picked up by authorised persons. Please ensure that your children/wards recognise authorised persons. Bus attendants cannot be familiar with all PARENTS and their domestic employees. It is the responsibility of each STUDENT to inform the bus attendant immediately, if no authorised guardian has arrived at the drop-off point. If the STUDENT does not alert the bus attendant in this respect, the bus attendant can assume that the STUDENT has either met an authorised person or has the PARENTS' consent to proceed to the residence on its own. Please advise your children/wards accordingly. Should you have specific reasons for requiring stricter supervision of your child's/ward's reception at the drop-off point, you may request for a special procedure with the BCS, who will check the feasibility of the suggested restrictions and decide from case to case if it can be implemented. (See second paragraph of "REGISTRATION FOR SCHOOL BUS SERVICE" above, which defines the criteria to be met by STUDENTS.) Should a STUDENT alert the bus attendant that no authorised person has arrived to pick the STUDENT up, the bus attendant shall alert the Bus Company Supervisor, while the bus continues its route to other stops (if any). The BCS contacts the PARENTS of the STUDENT and requests them to immediately proceed to the bus stop. Should he be unable to reach the PARENTS, he shall contact other families in the same village (among those participating in the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE) in order to find a family who is prepared to temporarily host the STUDENT until the PARENTS have been localised. The STUDENT remains on the bus until a host family picks him up. The school is not liable for any item left on the bus. Passengers must see to it that nothing is left on the bus. However, items found on the bus or in the parking lot shall be turned in to the School's Lost and Found Office by the BUS CREW.

8.

9.

The BUS CREW is provided with a bus folder, which includes all busrelated information; such as bus routes, students' check list, certain RULES and REGULATIONS, etc. PROPER CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY MEASURES STUDENTS are expected to conduct in a mature and responsible manner while riding the bus to and from school. Misbehaviour on a school bus or at the bus stop will be reported by the BUS CREW, or a passenger to the

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Bus Company Supervisor and will result in the recommendation of the proper disciplinary action. All instructions from the Bus Company Supervisor, and BUS CREW must be obeyed. Behaviour on the bus should be identical to manners and courtesy practised within the classroom. Most students want to ride a safe, clean and well-regulated bus. In order to meet these conditions, the RULES and REGULATIONS must be observed. Your BUS CREW is responsible for you and therefore must devote his attention to your safety. Here is how you can help: 1. Be present at bus pick-up points 10 minutes before scheduled departure time.
2.

It is the responsibility of the PARENTS to ensure that a person accompanies their child/ward to and from the bus. The BUS CREW will not get off the bus to walk or cross the street with a STUDENT.

3. Ride your assigned bus, whenever possible to avoid delay caused by manual recording of names of passengers not assigned to the bus they board.
4.

Do not invite unauthorised persons to ride on the School Bus. Persons not registered for regular participation in the SCHOOL BUS SERVICE will have to identify themselves with a Eurocampus-ID or a special permit issued by the SCHOOL and will be charged a fee by the CONTRACTOR for each individual ride.

5. Do not ask the driver to deviate from his scheduled bus routes and/or stops. Only the Bus Company Supervisor can authorise any changes after proper authorization from the school. 6. For your safety and the safety of others, wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before leaving your seat. 7. To make sure there is enough room for everyone, keep personal possessions such as books and bags on your lap and out of aisles and seats.
8.

Keep windows closed at all times. If circumstances require it (e.g. failure of air-condition) the BUS CREW may give the permission to open windows. Never stick head, hands, arms or any other part of your body out of the windows. Doors must be kept closed at all times during the ride!

9. Avoid unnecessary noise and distractions that might divert the drivers attention. This includes standing up and/or changing seats. 10. On board the bus, personal audio equipment may only be used with headphones. Singing is not allowed. 11. Sit only on proper seats. The permitted number of passengers of the buses may not be exceeded and priority will be given to passengers regularly assigned to the respective route/bus.

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Practice courtesy to fellow passengers, BUS CREW and to citizens of your host country. This includes refraining from swearing, spitting, shouting or making obscene gestures either inside or outside of the bus. Never throw anything in the bus or out of the window.

13.

14. Help maintain a clean and sanitary bus by not consuming food or drinks aboard the bus.
15.

Respect the property of others. A STUDENT responsible for any damage, destruction or defacing of personal or bus property, will be required to pay for damages and will be subject to disciplinary action.

16. Refrain from fighting or creating disturbances; injuring another person or acting in such a manner as to expose others to risk, danger, harm or injury; and from using threats or intimidation against any person on or outside the bus.
17.

Obey the BUS CREW at all times. In case of an emergency, remain quietly seated in the bus unless otherwise instructed by the BUS CREW.

Failure to comply with the RULES and REGULATIONS will be referred by the Bus Company Supervisor to the parents for disciplinary action. Such disciplinary action may include: a. 1st offence A warning will be given by the SCHOOL to the STUDENT both verbally and in writing and his/her PARENTS will be notified. Written reprimand to the STUDENT with notification his/her PARENTS. The school may assign a task to the STUDENT. The SCHOOL may suspend the student temporarily from SCHOOL BUS SERVICE.

2nd offence

3rd offence

b. Actions which are deemed very serious and/or which jeopardise the safety and wellbeing of other passengers may lead to immediate temporary suspension without regard to 1st through 3rd offence rules listed above. Repetition of an act which already lead to temporary suspension of the same offender, may lead to permanent suspension from SCHOOL BUS SERVICE. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND COMMUNICATION (The buses are equipped with a two-way radio system that allows the communication with the BCS, the CONTRACTOR's office and with other buses.) 1. Typhoon

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The school has an established procedure, under which the Headmaster is alerted of Typhoon Signal Levels that warrant suspension of classes. If alerted accordingly before classes start in the morning, the SCHOOL initiates a telephone chain to inform all PARENTS. In addition, the BCS will be notified and he will inform all buses that may already be en route to the villages. 2. Vehicle Breakdown Should a bus become immobilised en route (e.g. due to technical failure, accident without injuries etc.), the BUS CREW informs both, the CONTRACTOR and the BCS. The CONTRACTOR has the obligation to immediately send a replacement vehicle, which he keeps available for such occasions. If the breakdown occurs en route to the SCHOOL, the BCS informs the two headmasters/administrators. If a breakdown occurs on the way to the residential villages (after school) the BCS informs the first person in the telephone chain of the respective village. From there, the information is further spread according to telephone chain procedures. PARENTS of STUDENTS from other villages who happen to be on the affected bus will be informed directly by the BCS . (The BCS may share/delegate these tasks with/to SCHOOL personnel if available.) Until the arrival of the replacement vehicle, all passengers remain on board the bus, unless safety requirements warrant evacuation of the bus, which the BUS CREW will decide. Utmost discipline is required from all passengers in order to support the BUS CREW in keeping control of the situation. In any case, all passengers remain together and strictly follow all orders from the BUS CREW, who can assign elder passengers to look after sub-groups of passengers. If a breakdown incident occurs on the way home in the afternoon, as soon as the replacement vehicle has arrived, the BCS will again initiate the telephone chain to inform PARENTS of the estimated arrival time in the respective residential area. (In case of vehicle breakdown on the way to school, no such second notification shall be given to PARENTS.) 3. Accidents involving Injuries and other Medical Emergencies In case of medical emergency, the BUS CREW with the assistance of any other adult or mature person available on board will mobilise any help and take whatever measures are required. BUS CREW and any other individual on site trained in First Aid procedures administer First Aid to injured passengers. BUS CREW informs BCS, who contacts PARENTS of seriously injured passengers, who may require emergency medical attention. In absence of other instructions from PARENTS or any physician who happens to be at the accident site, the BUS CREW and/or BCS will arrange for an ambulance (preferably from Comcare or Philippine Sweepstakes or Lifeline) to transfer the injured person to Makati Medical Center. EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

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Bus Company Supervisor (Mobile Phone) 0919.275.57.74 Bus Company Supervisor (School Bus Office - Eurocampus) (632) 776.6958 AB&W (632) 677 86 58 German School (DSM) Secretary/Headmaster 823. 4934 German School (DSM) Administrator 0917 902.19.36 French School (EFM) Secretary/Headmaster: 824.1061 French School (EFM) Administrator 0917.924.86 47 Makati Medical Center 44 Lifeline Ambulance 533.3979 Comcare Ambulance / First Aid 776.3329 (632) (632) 776.3319 / (632)

(632)

(632) 815. 9911 / 815.99