Minnesota Statutes require that all students in grades kindergarten throughten who are transported by school bus, whether to and from school, or on school related activities, receive school bus safety training. The law requires that the training commence during the first full week of school and continue throughout the school year as a normal part of classroom training.

Minnesota statutes which were revised in the 2003 Legislative Session now require that:

• All students in grades K through 6 who are transported by school bus and who are enrolled before or during the second week of school must receive the required school bus safety training no later than the end of the third week of school.

• Students in grades 7 through 10 who are transported by school bus and are enrolled before or during the second week of school must receive the required school bus safety training no later than the end of the sixth week of school.

• Students in grades K through 6 who enroll after the second week of school and are transported by school bus and who have not received the required training in their previous Saint Paul school shall undergo school bus safety training within four weeks of the first day of attendance.

• Students in grades 7 through 10 who enroll after the second week of school and are transported by school bus and who have not received the required training in their previous Saint Paul school shall undergo school bus safety training or receive school bus safety instructional materials within four weeks of the first day of attendance.

The Transportation Department has previously provided each elementary school with District curriculum guides

for each K-6 teacher. These guides contain sample lessons plans, overheads, and other materials. The curriculum guide is contained in a three ring notebook and should have been retained for use in future years. Safety Resource materials are available and may be ordered using the Safety Resources order form, or by calling the Transportation Department at 696-9600.

Minnesota statutes require that a school district with students transported by school bus at public expense must make reasonable accommodations for school bus and pedestrian safety training of pupils known to speak English as a second language and pupils with disabilities.

Minnesota Statutes revised in the 2003 legislative session require that students enrolled in grades K through 12 who are transported by school bus must be provided with emergency school bus evacuation training twice during each school year. This training will occur upon arrival at school on specific dates scheduled by the Transportation Safety Department and will utilize the normal route buses serving the school.

Mark Vogel will be contact each principal to schedule the practical instruction and discuss potential problems specific to each school site.

Minnesota Statutes as revised during the 2003 Legislative Session require that the District Transportation Safety Director certify annually to the Superintendent of Schools that all students transported by school bus within the district have received the school bus safety training required by law. Each building principal will be sent a certification form in January which will be incorporated into the transportation training certification to the Superintendent.