Frisco ISD Coronavirus (COVID-19) - On-Campus Instruction

Social Distancing Typically Not Possible Aboard General Education Buses

Frisco ISD is increasing the number of students who may ride on General Education buses. As the District looks ahead to the last nine-week grading period, as well as the requirement to provide transportation to all bus-eligible students, including those in Virtual Academy, for the purposes of participating in state testing this spring on campus, there is a need to allow bus capacity to increase. Effective immediately, ridership on buses may rise to the capacity that each bus is legally able to transport. Most FISD buses can accommodate up to 71 student passengers.

Face masks or coverings will continue to be required for students and staff. The Transportation Department will also continue to maintain its increased sanitizing and cleaning procedures as described below.

2020-2021 Bus Transportation Protocols

The following guidance applies to any eligible Frisco ISD bus rider and will be in place for daily bus routes as well as field trips. These protocols will be followed starting from the time students arrive at their designated bus stop and board the school bus.

General Education/Special Needs/Shuttle Loading and Unloading Procedures

Bus Stop Expectations

Students will wear face coverings at the bus stop.
Students will practice social distancing whenever possible (if there is adequate space and it is safe to do so) while waiting for and approaching the school bus.
Students will not share food, drinks or personal devices.

Morning Boarding Bus Procedures

Bus drivers and monitors will wear face coverings during the loading/unloading of the bus and when engaging in interactions with students.
Students will wear face coverings when boarding the bus and for the duration of the bus ride.
Students will practice social distancing as they approach and board the bus.
Students will use hand sanitizer provided near the bus stairwell.
Students will be seated starting from the back seats, then toward the front when possible.
- Exceptions may be made for student management reasons, such as keeping younger elementary students near the front of the bus to be closer to the driver.
Standard Frisco ISD rules apply when the bus is in motion.
Students will not share food, drinks or personal devices.

Unloading at Campus

Unloading will start from the front to the back.
Students will continue to wear face coverings, practice social distancing and follow campus guidelines.

Afternoon Campus Boarding Bus Procedures

Bus drivers and monitors will wear face coverings during the loading/unloading of the bus and when engaging in interactions with students.
Students will wear face coverings when boarding the bus and for the duration of the bus ride.
Students will practice social distancing as they approach and board the bus.
Students will use hand sanitizer provided near the bus stairwell.
Students will be seated starting from the back seats, then toward the front when possible.
- Exceptions may be made for student management reasons, such as keeping younger elementary students near the front of the bus to be closer to the driver.
Standard Frisco ISD rules apply when the bus is in motion.
Students will not share food, drinks or personal devices.

Unloading at Bus Stop

Unloading will start from the front to the back.
Students will continue to wear face coverings until they have exited the bus, departed the bus stop area and can maintain more than six feet of social distance from other riders.
Students will practice social distancing and avoid gathering in groups of 10 or more.
Students will not share food, drinks or personal devices.

Disinfecting Protocols

Between Each AM & PM Campus Drop-Off

Drivers are being trained in bus cleaning methods and proper use of PPE.
School bus drivers, bus monitors and staff will be spraying and wiping down seats and high-touch items with disinfecting spray.
Bus seating areas will be disinfected after each bus route, particularly high-touch surfaces such as bus seats, steering wheels, knobs and the stairway handrail.
When possible, bus windows may be open to allow outside air to circulate in the bus.

Daily Deep Disinfecting Process

Fogging disinfection of bus interiors will occur daily during evening hours.

Bus Arrival & Dismissal Expectations

Student - Arrival

Students will load and unload the bus at staggered times at the direction of the bus driver.
As students depart from the bus, they will immediately walk into the building and designated area for morning arrival. Staff at campus may be designated to unload students as necessary.
Students will not congregate with other students after exiting the bus.
Students will maintain appropriate social distance as they enter the building and report to campus.

Student - Dismissal

Students will wait in a designated "pre-loading" area for each bus to arrive.
Students will load onto the bus at staggered times at the direction of the bus driver.
Students will maintain social distance guidelines as they load and are seated for the duration of the bus ride home.

Parent

When possible, parents will help with student supervision at the bus stop.

Teachers/Staff

Assigned staff will supervise student arrival and dismissal, ensure that students are wearing face coverings and direct students to campus designated waiting areas.
Staff will ensure social distancing during arrival and dismissal.
During dismissal, teachers will supervise designated pre-loading areas for students waiting for the bus to arrive.

Protocol for Confirmed Cases of COVID-19