Bus document
2014-2015 Dear Village School Parents, The Village School Bus Service Letter of Commitment The Village School has contracted with AFC Transportation to provide bus service to and from school for the Eldridge, Cinco Ranch, Katy, Royal Oaks, Sugar Land and Bellaire areas. In addition Village vehicles and staff will provide service for the Memorial and Woodlands areas. Buses will pick-up and discharge riders at designated points. Please return pages 4 and 8 of this contract along with your first fee payment. The Village School attn: Carolyn Anshus 13077 Westella Drive Houston 77077 Fees The fees for bus transportation service for the 2014-15 academic year are as follows: (This rate is for a child/per route basis) Type of Service
first child
additional siblings10% discount
AM and PM (August only)
$140
$126
AM or PM only (August only)—one way service
$115
$103.50
AM and PM
$225 (per month)
$202.50 (per month)
AM or PM only (one way service)
$170 (per month)
$153 (per month)
Fees are payable in 3 installments and are due on the dates indicated below. (amounts below are based on one child riding morning and afternoon)
1. 2. 3.
Due Date June 20, 2014 November 28, 2014 February 20, 2015
Amount Due $815.00 $675.00 $675.00
Service Period August 19, 2014 – November 2014 December 2014 – February 2015 March 2015 – May 2015
Please note that “one way” will only be an option if spaces on the bus are available. The Village School views bus transportation as a necessity for the school and many families in our community; this is not a revenue-generating venture for the school. All AFC buses used for Village bus transportation are air-conditioned and contain seatbelts for all passengers. The AFC buses will be operated by well-trained, uniformed, and professional drivers.
1
Fee calculation Chart Cost per month
Cost per month
Child #1 $225.00 $140.00
Each additional child per family $202.50 $126.00
Payment--#1 first day of school thru end of November
$815.00
$733.50
Payment--#2 December-February
$675.00
$605.50
Payment--#3 March-May
$675.00
$605.50
AM or PM August only--am OR pm
$170.00 $115.00
$153.00 $103.50
Payment--#1 first day of school thru end of November
$625.00
$562.50
Payment--#2 December-February
$510.00
$459.00
Payment--#3 March-May
$510.00
$459.00
Type of service Morning and afternoon August only --am/pm
Type of service
2
Fuel Surcharge Should the average price of diesel fuel rise above $5.50 a gallon in the Houston area, it will be necessary for the school to add a fuel surcharge of $10 per month to the existing fee structure, as the school will be levied these increases by our bus transportation provider.
Refunds Should a change of circumstances make cancellation of a reservation necessary, then the following refund policy will be implemented:
Cancellation of reservations received by August 1, 2014 will receive a 50% refund.
Cancellations received after August 1, 2014 but BEFORE August 18th 2014 will receive a 25% refund.
No refunds will be given for cancellations after 18th of August.
Our Service Commitment It is the school’s intent to provide high quality transportation. Any time the bus is 30 minutes late to the first pick-up location, we will rebate $5 per occurrence per child from the amount owed in the subsequent billing cycle.
Reservations Reservations will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis. To secure your spot, please complete the Bus Reservation Form for the 2014-2015 School Year. Please return pages 4 and 8 along with your first payment to mail: The Village School attn: Carolyn Anshus 13077 Westella Drive, Houston 77077. Existing riders must confirm continued service for the new academic year and return checks, made payable to “The Village School”, along with a Reservation Form to the address above. It is essential that all information is completed on the Reservation Form. All billing questions should be addressed to Jason Murray, ext. 4206 [email protected] All administrative questions should be addressed to Carolyn Anshus, ext. 1011. [email protected]
3
BUS RESERVATION FORM REQUESTED BUS ROUTE: Please check the appropriate bus stop on your route. CINCO RANCH
____Home Depot (Fry Road @ Grand Parkway)
ELDRIDGE
_____Lakes on Eldridge
KATY
_____Christus St. Catherines _____Walgreens @ Highland Knolls _____LakeForest _____Soccer Fields on Westheimer Parkway
MEMORIAL
____Kroger @ Blalock and I-10 ____Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church ____Memorial @ West Bough
ROYAL OAKS
____Royal Oaks Clubhouse
SUGAR LAND
____First Colony Mall ___LA Fitness on Hwy. 6 ____Kroger @ Hwy. 6 & W. Airport Blvd.
WEST PARK
____Sam’s Club S. Rice @ Westpark Tollway (serves the Bellaire, West U, Galleria, inside the loop areas)
WOODLANDS/SPRING
_____Lakes on Eldridge North ____Twin Lakes
____ Hobby Lobby (501 Sawdust Rd, Spring, TX 77380)
TYPE OF SERVICE: Please circle choice 1. MORNING & AFTERNOON 2. MORNING ONLY 3. AFTERNOON ONLY STUDENT’S NAME(S) and Grade level for 2014-2015:
ADDRESS:
ZIP CODE _____________ HOME PHONE # E-mail address:______________________________ EMERGENCY CONTACT Name: Telephone # PARENT’S SIGNATURE
DATE
____________________________
______________________
4
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the cost of service? The bus service is $225.00 per month for riding morning and afternoon, per student. A ten-percent discount is given for siblings riding the bus.
What are the bus times? The bus will arrive at school with students at approximately 7:35 A.M. You will receive more detailed information with respect to pick-up/drop-off times when the bus routes are finalized. The bus departs school at 3:40 P.M.
What happens with children that dismiss prior to 3:20 P.M.? Children that dismiss earlier than 3:20 P.M. will go to a holding room where they will work on their homework in a supervised environment. There is no fee for this.
Can my child ride the bus one way? Yes, but only if space on the bus allows.
What happens if my child misses the bus? The bus will not wait for tardy pupils and you will be responsible for getting your child to school in the morning if they miss the bus. If your child misses the bus in the afternoon, you will be responsible for picking your child up from school.
What happens if no one is there to pick my child up from the bus stop in the afternoon? The bus will wait for a few minutes and then go on to the next stop. The driver will wait at the last stop with your child while the driver tries to contact you by phone. If you cannot be reached and do not show up within a few minutes, your child will be taken back to Village School Ovation. You can pick your child up there by 6:00 pm. The fee for this service will be billed to your account. Are there any requirements to ride the bus? Yes. Children must be enrolled in Kindergarten or above to ride the bus. Younger students in preschool and prekindergarten can ride but only with a supervising older sibling—grade one and older. A Kindergarten student cannot supervise a younger child. How do I sign up? Please complete the Bus Reservation Form and mail it with your check for August through November to The Village School.
5
For how much should I make the first check? (numbers below are based on one child riding morning and afternoon) Round trip service (am and pm): You are required to pay for August 19 through November 30, 2014. This amounts to $815 August 19th – 29th = $140 September 2014 – November 2014 @ $225.00 per month= $675 Total of $815. Checks should be made payable to The Village School. One way service (am or pm only): You are required to pay for August 19 through November 30, 2014. This amounts to $625: August 19th-29th= $115 September 2014 – November 2014 @ $170.00 per month= $510 Total of $625. Checks should be made payable to The Village School.
Are there any refunds for cancellations? Should a change of circumstances make a cancellation of a reservation necessary then the following refund policy will be implemented: Cancellation of reservations received by August 1, 2014 will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations received after August 1, 2014 but BEFORE August 18th 2014 will receive a 25% refund.
No refunds will be given for cancellations received after the August 18.
What if I need to make changes? In order to maintain accurate records, please inform the business office in writing at least one week in advance of any changes in bus service. If you wish to discontinue bus service after any paid cycle, you need to inform the business office in writing.
Who do I ask if I have other questions? All billing questions should be addressed to Jason Murray, ext. 4206. [email protected] Please address all administrative questions to Carolyn Anshus, ext. 1011. [email protected]
6
BUS RULES & REGULATIONS To ensure the safety and effiency of our bus service we have the following rules and regulations that we enforce for those students using the bus service. Guidelines for Parents Students must be at the bus stop at least five (5) minutes BEFORE the departure times shown, and the person designated to pick them up must be at the same stop in the afternoon at least five (5) minutes before the bus is scheduled to drop students off. Under no circumstances will students under 18 years of age be left unsupervised at the drop-off point. If a parent/guardian is not there to pick up, the child(ren) will be returned by bus to the school. Arrangements may be made in writing for a child to be released to another parent/friend. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR STUDENTS SAFETY MUST COME FIRST. The opportunity for a child to ride the bus is a privilege, not a right. The Rules and Regulations listed below must be strictly observed for the benefit and safety of the students. For many of our students this will be their first time on a school bus. Please review these rules with your children and make sure they understand them. Please confirm your understanding with signatures below. Be on time at designated stops. Passengers will be loaded and unloaded at these stops. Buses will NOT wait for tardy pupils. Obey the driver's instructions to ensure your safety. Stay off the roadway while waiting for the bus. Cross at least 15 feet in front of the bus. NEVER in rear of the bus. Always remain seated when the bus is in motion. Wait for the bus to make a complete stop before entering or exiting. Enter or exit the bus at the front door ONLY, except in case of an emergency. Do not leave the bus without the driver's consent. No unauthorized stops will be made. Keep feet out of aisles, off seats or back of seats. Keep head, arms and hands inside the bus. Books and bags must be stored on the floor in front of the student. Seats can be assigned according to grade levels. Seats are assigned at the discretion of the bus driver. Students must behave decorously and quietly. Fighting, pushing and the use of obscene language will not be tolerated. The driver must not be distracted while the bus is in motion. Eating or drinking is NOT allowed on the bus. Wear seat belts at all times. Students must not deface the bus or its equipment. Students must behave appropriately to others on the bus. 7
Safety infractions will be handled in the following manner
The driver will discuss the situation with the child and report to the Business Office. The Business office will discuss the incident with the student’s parent if considered necessary. The problem will be reported to the School principal if deemed appropriate.
STUDENTS MAY BE SUSPENDED FROM RIDING THE SCHOOL BUS WHEN SUCH ACTION IS DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE HEAD OF SCHOOL OR HIS DESIGNEE. NO FEES WILL BE REFUNDED AS A RESULT OF THIS DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
Parent Signature
Date
________________________
____________________
Student Signature
Date
__________________________
_____________________
8
first child
additional siblings10% discount
AM and PM (August only)
$140
$126
AM or PM only (August only)—one way service
$115
$103.50
AM and PM
$225 (per month)
$202.50 (per month)
AM or PM only (one way service)
$170 (per month)
$153 (per month)
Fees are payable in 3 installments and are due on the dates indicated below. (amounts below are based on one child riding morning and afternoon)
1. 2. 3.
Due Date June 20, 2014 November 28, 2014 February 20, 2015
Amount Due $815.00 $675.00 $675.00
Service Period August 19, 2014 – November 2014 December 2014 – February 2015 March 2015 – May 2015
Please note that “one way” will only be an option if spaces on the bus are available. The Village School views bus transportation as a necessity for the school and many families in our community; this is not a revenue-generating venture for the school. All AFC buses used for Village bus transportation are air-conditioned and contain seatbelts for all passengers. The AFC buses will be operated by well-trained, uniformed, and professional drivers.
1
Fee calculation Chart Cost per month
Cost per month
Child #1 $225.00 $140.00
Each additional child per family $202.50 $126.00
Payment--#1 first day of school thru end of November
$815.00
$733.50
Payment--#2 December-February
$675.00
$605.50
Payment--#3 March-May
$675.00
$605.50
AM or PM August only--am OR pm
$170.00 $115.00
$153.00 $103.50
Payment--#1 first day of school thru end of November
$625.00
$562.50
Payment--#2 December-February
$510.00
$459.00
Payment--#3 March-May
$510.00
$459.00
Type of service Morning and afternoon August only --am/pm
Type of service
2
Fuel Surcharge Should the average price of diesel fuel rise above $5.50 a gallon in the Houston area, it will be necessary for the school to add a fuel surcharge of $10 per month to the existing fee structure, as the school will be levied these increases by our bus transportation provider.
Refunds Should a change of circumstances make cancellation of a reservation necessary, then the following refund policy will be implemented:
Cancellation of reservations received by August 1, 2014 will receive a 50% refund.
Cancellations received after August 1, 2014 but BEFORE August 18th 2014 will receive a 25% refund.
No refunds will be given for cancellations after 18th of August.
Our Service Commitment It is the school’s intent to provide high quality transportation. Any time the bus is 30 minutes late to the first pick-up location, we will rebate $5 per occurrence per child from the amount owed in the subsequent billing cycle.
Reservations Reservations will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis. To secure your spot, please complete the Bus Reservation Form for the 2014-2015 School Year. Please return pages 4 and 8 along with your first payment to mail: The Village School attn: Carolyn Anshus 13077 Westella Drive, Houston 77077. Existing riders must confirm continued service for the new academic year and return checks, made payable to “The Village School”, along with a Reservation Form to the address above. It is essential that all information is completed on the Reservation Form. All billing questions should be addressed to Jason Murray, ext. 4206 [email protected] All administrative questions should be addressed to Carolyn Anshus, ext. 1011. [email protected]
3
BUS RESERVATION FORM REQUESTED BUS ROUTE: Please check the appropriate bus stop on your route. CINCO RANCH
____Home Depot (Fry Road @ Grand Parkway)
ELDRIDGE
_____Lakes on Eldridge
KATY
_____Christus St. Catherines _____Walgreens @ Highland Knolls _____LakeForest _____Soccer Fields on Westheimer Parkway
MEMORIAL
____Kroger @ Blalock and I-10 ____Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church ____Memorial @ West Bough
ROYAL OAKS
____Royal Oaks Clubhouse
SUGAR LAND
____First Colony Mall ___LA Fitness on Hwy. 6 ____Kroger @ Hwy. 6 & W. Airport Blvd.
WEST PARK
____Sam’s Club S. Rice @ Westpark Tollway (serves the Bellaire, West U, Galleria, inside the loop areas)
WOODLANDS/SPRING
_____Lakes on Eldridge North ____Twin Lakes
____ Hobby Lobby (501 Sawdust Rd, Spring, TX 77380)
TYPE OF SERVICE: Please circle choice 1. MORNING & AFTERNOON 2. MORNING ONLY 3. AFTERNOON ONLY STUDENT’S NAME(S) and Grade level for 2014-2015:
ADDRESS:
ZIP CODE _____________ HOME PHONE # E-mail address:______________________________ EMERGENCY CONTACT Name: Telephone # PARENT’S SIGNATURE
DATE
____________________________
______________________
4
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the cost of service? The bus service is $225.00 per month for riding morning and afternoon, per student. A ten-percent discount is given for siblings riding the bus.
What are the bus times? The bus will arrive at school with students at approximately 7:35 A.M. You will receive more detailed information with respect to pick-up/drop-off times when the bus routes are finalized. The bus departs school at 3:40 P.M.
What happens with children that dismiss prior to 3:20 P.M.? Children that dismiss earlier than 3:20 P.M. will go to a holding room where they will work on their homework in a supervised environment. There is no fee for this.
Can my child ride the bus one way? Yes, but only if space on the bus allows.
What happens if my child misses the bus? The bus will not wait for tardy pupils and you will be responsible for getting your child to school in the morning if they miss the bus. If your child misses the bus in the afternoon, you will be responsible for picking your child up from school.
What happens if no one is there to pick my child up from the bus stop in the afternoon? The bus will wait for a few minutes and then go on to the next stop. The driver will wait at the last stop with your child while the driver tries to contact you by phone. If you cannot be reached and do not show up within a few minutes, your child will be taken back to Village School Ovation. You can pick your child up there by 6:00 pm. The fee for this service will be billed to your account. Are there any requirements to ride the bus? Yes. Children must be enrolled in Kindergarten or above to ride the bus. Younger students in preschool and prekindergarten can ride but only with a supervising older sibling—grade one and older. A Kindergarten student cannot supervise a younger child. How do I sign up? Please complete the Bus Reservation Form and mail it with your check for August through November to The Village School.
5
For how much should I make the first check? (numbers below are based on one child riding morning and afternoon) Round trip service (am and pm): You are required to pay for August 19 through November 30, 2014. This amounts to $815 August 19th – 29th = $140 September 2014 – November 2014 @ $225.00 per month= $675 Total of $815. Checks should be made payable to The Village School. One way service (am or pm only): You are required to pay for August 19 through November 30, 2014. This amounts to $625: August 19th-29th= $115 September 2014 – November 2014 @ $170.00 per month= $510 Total of $625. Checks should be made payable to The Village School.
Are there any refunds for cancellations? Should a change of circumstances make a cancellation of a reservation necessary then the following refund policy will be implemented: Cancellation of reservations received by August 1, 2014 will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations received after August 1, 2014 but BEFORE August 18th 2014 will receive a 25% refund.
No refunds will be given for cancellations received after the August 18.
What if I need to make changes? In order to maintain accurate records, please inform the business office in writing at least one week in advance of any changes in bus service. If you wish to discontinue bus service after any paid cycle, you need to inform the business office in writing.
Who do I ask if I have other questions? All billing questions should be addressed to Jason Murray, ext. 4206. [email protected] Please address all administrative questions to Carolyn Anshus, ext. 1011. [email protected]
6
BUS RULES & REGULATIONS To ensure the safety and effiency of our bus service we have the following rules and regulations that we enforce for those students using the bus service. Guidelines for Parents Students must be at the bus stop at least five (5) minutes BEFORE the departure times shown, and the person designated to pick them up must be at the same stop in the afternoon at least five (5) minutes before the bus is scheduled to drop students off. Under no circumstances will students under 18 years of age be left unsupervised at the drop-off point. If a parent/guardian is not there to pick up, the child(ren) will be returned by bus to the school. Arrangements may be made in writing for a child to be released to another parent/friend. RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR STUDENTS SAFETY MUST COME FIRST. The opportunity for a child to ride the bus is a privilege, not a right. The Rules and Regulations listed below must be strictly observed for the benefit and safety of the students. For many of our students this will be their first time on a school bus. Please review these rules with your children and make sure they understand them. Please confirm your understanding with signatures below. Be on time at designated stops. Passengers will be loaded and unloaded at these stops. Buses will NOT wait for tardy pupils. Obey the driver's instructions to ensure your safety. Stay off the roadway while waiting for the bus. Cross at least 15 feet in front of the bus. NEVER in rear of the bus. Always remain seated when the bus is in motion. Wait for the bus to make a complete stop before entering or exiting. Enter or exit the bus at the front door ONLY, except in case of an emergency. Do not leave the bus without the driver's consent. No unauthorized stops will be made. Keep feet out of aisles, off seats or back of seats. Keep head, arms and hands inside the bus. Books and bags must be stored on the floor in front of the student. Seats can be assigned according to grade levels. Seats are assigned at the discretion of the bus driver. Students must behave decorously and quietly. Fighting, pushing and the use of obscene language will not be tolerated. The driver must not be distracted while the bus is in motion. Eating or drinking is NOT allowed on the bus. Wear seat belts at all times. Students must not deface the bus or its equipment. Students must behave appropriately to others on the bus. 7
Safety infractions will be handled in the following manner
The driver will discuss the situation with the child and report to the Business Office. The Business office will discuss the incident with the student’s parent if considered necessary. The problem will be reported to the School principal if deemed appropriate.
STUDENTS MAY BE SUSPENDED FROM RIDING THE SCHOOL BUS WHEN SUCH ACTION IS DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE HEAD OF SCHOOL OR HIS DESIGNEE. NO FEES WILL BE REFUNDED AS A RESULT OF THIS DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
Parent Signature
Date
________________________
____________________
Student Signature
Date
__________________________
_____________________
8
