9/1/2019

Parent Guide Information on your student’s

transportation to St. John the Baptist

Diocesan High School

I

Eastern Long Island Bus Program

In order to serve the Catholic families of eastern Long Island, St. John the Baptist High School and the

Diocese of Rockville Centre operates a transportation system to serve Diocesan high school students.

These busses are provided at no charge to the families and students using them.

Summary of changes from 2018/2019 document:

Please note that the following items have changed:

- Pick-up and drop-off times have been adjusted based on operational history from last year

- A fourth stop has been added on the Green Line in Patchogue. This is just north of the Sunrise

Highway Service Road and should only add a few minutes to the overall time.

Basic Information

- There are three lines, designated by a color. The lines are:

o RED serving the north shore of Suffolk

o BLUE begins in Riverhead and runs down the center of the island

o GREEN begins on the South Fork and runs along the south shore

- Each bus line is designed as express service to St. John the Baptist. Specific stops are at

Diocesan properties and are detailed in this guide.

- A St. John’s ID is all your student needs as identification to ride the bus.

- Each bus makes three trips-a-day; a morning pick-up designed to deliver the students to school

by 7:40am in time to make their homeroom, a ‘dismissal bus’ which leaves shortly after the

regular school day ends, and a ‘sports & activity bus’ which leaves at 5:30 pm allowing students

from eastern communities to be full participants in St John’s school life.

- Return service busses are positioned on the east side of St. John’s (by the tennis courts) to

facilitate their speedy departure. They are operated by ‘Montauk Bus’ Company and have signs

marking their specific route (RED, BLUE or GREEN). They are full-sized buses at pick-up and

dismissal, and small buses for late bus service.

- The staff managing the release of students at St. John’s are familiar with the bus plan and can

help assure that your student finds and boards the correct bus home.

- We request that your student ride their designated bus and get on/off at their designated stop.

In the event that you would like your student to deviate from this plan, we ask that you notify

the Transportation Office at St. John’s (631) 587-8000.

- The bus is provided as a service to students and their families and subject to the rules of

conduct we expect of every student. The rules of conduct are detailed elsewhere in this guide.

- Site Coordinators will be staffing the pick-up and drop off locations to help assure the safety

and convenience of the bus riders. They will have access to the facilities in the event of

inclement weather and to give students access to rest rooms before or after their trip.

- Notices of special times to support early dismissals, half-days and noon dismissals, and the

expected drop-off times will be provided in advance of their occurrence.

- Parents are asked for their cooperation by making timely drop-offs and pick-ups to and from the

bus stops.

The Diocese will evaluate and adjust pick-up and drop-off times to respond to unexpected elements and

to improve service. Feedback is welcomed and will be considered. (glayton@drvc.org)

Bus Provider

Montauk Bus Company, a subsidiary of Coastal Charter Bus Company operates the busses. They are one

of the largest transportation providers and serve many of the eastern Long Island school districts. They

are owned by a ‘Catholic school’ family who graduated from McGann-Mercy. The busses are air

conditioned and have Wi-Fi connectivity. Routes have been tested and estimated times are expected to

hold for the school year.

*please also be aware that cameras are in use on the buses to help assure everyone’s’ safety

Your primary contact to report problem or check on the status of a bus are with Montauk Bus:

- PRIMARY (dispatcher) – Linda C. (631) 874-5300 (dial 0) 6am – 6pm

linda.montaukbus@yahoo.com

- SECONDARY – Theresa Engel (631) 588-7433 – theresa@northforkexpress.com

- 24/7 EMERGENCY/WEATHER CLOSURES – Linda Plourde cell (631) 433-8134

The primary school contact at St. John the Baptist High School is:

- Claire Gohn – gohn@sjbdhs.org – (631) 587-8000 or the Transportation Office

The primary contact at the Department of Education is:

- Gary Layton – glayton@drvc.org – (516) 280-2479 x817 / (516) 380-0326 - cell

Rider Identification

Students all have SJB student ID cards that are their identification. These ID cards will function as the

‘buss passes’.

*ID’s will not be required for freshman in the first few weeks until they are issued by the school

Local District Bussing

The significant distance between the residences of the students and St. John’s HS is beyond the

mandated bussing distances that most school districts are obligated to provide bus service (typically 15

miles). Districts are also not legally obligated to provide service to our designated bus stops. Because of

this unusual circumstance, most districts will not be providing local bus service to your pick-up location.

Since some do provide this service, we urge you to check with your local school district. Parents can

exchange names and numbers at each stop so you can share rides and have people who you can call to

provide back-up in the event you are delayed. Our Catholic school communities have been wonderfully

supportive of each other.

Student Parking

Schools and parishes that function as pick-up points allow students who drive to bring their cars to the

pick-up/drop-off location and take the bus from there. Please check with the Pastor or Site Coordinator

at your location to see if there is a specific area the Pastor would like used for these cars.

Site Coordinators

Site Coordinators are adults who have agreed to monitor the bus stops to enhance the safety and

security of our students. They are typically parents or members of the respective parish communities

with an interest in the safety of the students. Site Coordinators earn a modest stipend for their

commitment to spend a few extra minutes-a-day at the bus stop. The responsibility here is to oversee

the students’, to call attention to any potentially dangerous situations, and to assure that each student

has been met at the stop and is finding their way home safely.

If you are interested in helping out with this program and earning a few hundred dollars-a-month doing

it, please contact Gary Layton in the Department of Education office. glayton@drvc.org / (516) 280-2479

Rules of Conduct

St. John the Baptist students have a defined code of conduct that is described in the school handbook

that they accept as the terms of their attendance at St. John’s. This code of conduct specifically

addresses rules for bussing. Here are the relevant passages from the handbook:

BUS REGULATIONS & TRANSPORTATION

Students are expected to comply with all school regulations and display a positive image of

St. John's school while riding the bus. Senior driving privilege will be extended to those who

meet state and school requirements.

All underclassmen (9th, 10th, & 11th) are expected to take the school bus to and from school every day. Any underclassman arriving or departing by any other mode of transportation (including walkers) must have written parental permission on file in the office. Parents picking up or dropping off must do so at the assigned spot on the south west side of the building. Parents may not pick up/drop off at adjacent areas around the school. Parents must park and wait in the assigned area adjacent to the building. If a student misses the 5:30 pm bus, a parent will be called. Safety is of paramount concern in regard to school busses. Students are obligated to abide by all school policies, regulations and procedures from the time they board the bus in the morning until they disembark in the afternoon. The bus is an extension of the classroom and the driver is the adult authority in the bus. The bus driver represents the authority entrusted with the students' safety and is in full charge at all times. He/she is to be obeyed and respected at all times. The Diocese also uses individuals from the parent and parish community as Site Coordinators to help assure the safety of each bus stop. Any behavioral violation or disrespect is subject to the normal disciplinary actions of the school.

The following regulations are in effect while on the bus:

1. Smoking and vaping is prohibited.

2. Passengers must remain seated; due to the length of the trip, food and drink will be allowed.

3. Boisterous conduct, inappropriate language, distracting the bus driver and annoying other students will not be tolerated.

4. Bus drivers have the authority to request that ID cards be shown upon boarding.

5. A student who has repeated violations of any of these rules may be denied transportation.

If a student is not going to ride their school bus during exam week, the following should occur:

1. Written parental permission must be on file in the office if a student is going to be transported via any other method of transportation.

2. During Regents and final exams, all parents picking up students should park their vehicles in available parking spaces and wait for students.

Weather-Related Issues

Daily travel is always subject to traffic and weather conditions and the bus lines won’t be immune to

delays and service interruptions. While the schedules were created with an eye to the ‘regular’ traffic

conditions at the anticipated time of travel, there will be circumstances when extraordinary events

impact the operation.

The St. John the Baptist handbook addresses delays and closures in the following way:

INCLEMENT WEATHER STATEMENT:

When weather or emergency conditions warrant a cancellation of school, an early dismissal or a

delayed opening, the fastest, most accurate, way to access this information is via the school’s website.

Any information concerning a school closing, delay or early dismissal will be announced through the

school messaging system. S i t e Coor din at ors a l so rec eive ear ly n ot i c e o f a nt i c ip at e d

di s ru pt i ons of serv ic e. Please do not call the school.

The geographic area that encompasses all of the areas in which our families live stretches from

Western Nassau into Eastern Suffolk County. We attempt to take all of this into consideration when

determining whether or not to delay or close. That can be challenging as the weather conditions can

vary significantly in the areas mentioned above.

Please know that it is always a parent’s decision as to whether or not their student can travel safely to

school. It is recommended that students who normally drive to school take their school buses on

these days. We understand that your child cannot be penalized if your home district has closed and

will not supply transportation due to the weather. In times of inclement weather, we make every

effort to be sensitive to the safety and well-being of all of our students. Safety is our highest priority.

St. John the Baptist uses a group notification system that will alert you at home, on your cell phones,

by text, and on your home computer’s email system. The incoming number displayed with this alert is

(631) 587-8000.

Days of Operation

The bus service will be operating to support the school year. The school calendar for the 2019/2020

school year follows.

2019/2020 School Calendar

09/04/19 Wednesday Freshman and Big Brothers/Big Sisters attending

Noon dismissal (no late busses)

09/05/19 Thursday Freshman and Big Brothers/Big Sisters attending

Noon dismissal (no late busses)

09/06/19 Friday Full day of classes for all students (7:50am – 2:36pm)

First day of late busses

10/11/19 Friday Noon dismissal –Spirit Day – (no late busses)

10/14/19 Monday SCHOOL CLOSED – Columbus Day

10/16/19 Wednesday Noon dismissal – PSAT Test (no late busses)

10/21/19 Monday Noon dismissal – (no late busses)

11/11/19 Monday SCHOOL CLOSED – Veterans Day

11/22/19 Friday Noon dismissal – Parent teacher conferences (no late busses)

11/27/19 Wednesday Noon dismissal – Thanksgiving, Day of Prayer (no late busses)

11/28/19 Thursday SCHOOL CLOSED – Thanksgiving recess

11/29/19 Friday SCHOOL CLOSED – Thanksgiving recess

12/19/19 Thursday (no late busses)

12/23 – 1/3 inclusive SCHOOL CLOSED – Christmas recess

01/06/2020 Monday School re-opens – regular operation

01/20/20 Monday SCHOOL CLOSED – Martin Luther King Day

02/17 – 02/21 inclusive SCHOOL CLOSED – Winter recess

02/24/20 Monday School re-opens – regular operation

03/19/20 Thursday Noon dismissal – (no late busses)

03/20/20 Friday SCHOOL CLOSED – Faculty Day of Prayer

04/08 – 04/17 inclusive SCHOOL CLOSED – Easter recess

04/20/20 Monday School re-opens – regular operation

05/25/20 Monday SCHOOL CLOSED – Memorial Day

06/02/20 Tuesday Noon dismissal – Regents Exam (no late busses)

06/03/20 Wednesday No late buses

06/04/20 Thursday No late buses

06/05/20 Friday Noon dismissal - (No late buses)

06/12/20 Friday Last day for late buses

06/17 – 06/25 Final and Regents exams – Schedule to follow

The school day begins at 7:50am. Students are expected to be in school by 7:40. The bus service aims to

arrive at St. John’s between 7:30 and 7:40.

The school day ends at 2:36. Dismissal buses leave at 2:45pm.

Late buses/Sports and Activity buses leave at 5:30pm. Coaches and extracurricular moderators are

aware of the late bus schedule.

RED LINE stops include:

St. John the Baptist Church in Wading River

St. Anthony’s Church in Rocky Point

St. Gerard Majella Church in Port Jefferson Station

BLUE LINE stops include:

St. John Paul II Regional School in Riverhead

Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Manorville

St. Sylvester Roman Catholic Church in Medford

GREEN LINE stops include:

Our Lady of Poland Church in Southampton

Church of St. Rosalie in Hampton Bays

St. John the Evangelist Church in Center Moriches

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Patchogue