Student Transportation

For the most up-to-date information regarding student transportation and rules, please visit the AIS transportation.

From the AFNORTH International School Bus Guidelines:

Safety

These school bus transportation guidelines concern the safety and well-being of our children/students as they ride our school buses.

AFNORTH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL provides transportation for over 900 children/students aged 4-19 years. The majority of the children attending AIS ride buses contracted through a local Dutch company. These buses provide transport for the children living in South Limburg area, the Selfkant area, as well as the Belgian side of the border.

The SAFE transportation of our students is our most important concern. AIS contracts bus transportation from responsible firms with mechanically sound vehicles with airco, qualified drivers, and bus monitors. AIS buses are equipped with rider safety belts. The safe operation of school buses also depends on appropriate conduct by the children/students that ride those buses.

Student behavior on our school buses is a parental responsibility. Parents and guardians must make sure that their children understand the rules for riding the school bus and that they follow these rules. When children/students do not follow the rules, they make the bus unsafe for every other child/student on that bus. Child / Student misbehavior must not be allowed to distract the bus driver from safe driving. Students must show respect for bus drivers and monitors an follow their instructions.

All AIS personnel take the safety of the children/students that ride school buses very seriously. We expect parents and guardians to do the same. Please sit down with your child(ren),and go over the School Bus information. Let’s work together to make our journey to and from school SAFE.

We are fortunate that our contracted buses have adult monitors and are equipped with a mobile phone and track and trace system (Commencing with the new contractor at the end of September 2017) should an emergency occur.

Transportation Policies

Transportation for AFNORTH International School (AIS) students is provided within pre- determined commuting areas. Maps of these areas may be found in the AIS Bus Coordinator’s Office (Room c1.2), the SCHINNEN and HQ JFC housing offices.

Upon your arrival in the area please be aware that services are subject to change. Please check with the bus coordinator prior regarding catchment areas for this service.

School Bus Transportation is a privilege, not a right.

We rely on parents and guardians to teach their children proper behavior. Accordingly, school bus rules will be strictly enforced. Students not complying with the school rules may have their riding privileges suspended or revoked and repeated offenders may have their riding privileges revoked for the rest of the school year. When this happens, sponsors will have to make their own arrangements for their children to get to school according to established school hours.

Eligibility for transport

One round trip to and from school may be provided to students enrolled in ais based on the following prerequisites:

You reside outside of the walking area of school and within the designated commuting area of school.

If you choose to live outside of the commuting area then transportation is at your own expense to the school or an existing bus stop within the commuting area.

When requested by the parent or guardian, transportation may be provided to and or /from an alternate care provider such as a community day care center located within the commuting area.

The standard walking distance we try to accommodate is up to one kilometer one way for all students. There may be exceptions due to changed traffic/housing situations.

By registering for school bus transportation, parents/guardians are acknowledging responsibility for providing true and correct information. In the event that incorrect information has been given, school bus privileges may be withdrawn.

School Bus Information

Registration Data

Registration takes place in the AIS School Bus Office on Campus Room C 1.2. The office is on the left side ground floor as you enter by the main entrance of the school.

Students must be registered in the school before they can register for school bus transportation. This data is used not only for registration purposes but also in case of emergencies, such as breakdowns, accidents and/or incidents.

If you move your station/office/home, change your address or phone number, please notify your national office AND the Bus Coordinator.

Student / Bus Pass

ALL children/students will be issued a STUDENT/BUS PASS.

Children/Students riding the AFNORTH International School buses have route information included on their Bus Pass/Student Pass. Only students carrying and showing a valid Bus Pass/Student Pass will be able to ride the bus. Students will only ride the bus as stated on the bus pass unless a temporary bus pass has been requested.

Loss of Pass

When a child/student discovers the loss or theft of his/her Student Pass, he/she will go to the Bus Coordinator and be issued a Temporary Pass (5 Day maximum) if applicable.

During this time the child/student, accompanied by a parent/guardian, must report the loss or theft to the KMAR office on the JFC Headquarters. Only after the completion of the necessary forms, signed by the KMAR, will a new pass be issued by the Bus Coordinator.

Second loss of Pass

If the second pass is lost or stolen, the same procedure applies in order to replace the lost pass.

Third loss of Pass

If a third loss of a child/student pass occurs, the same system applies. However, there will be a charge of € 5 for replacement and administrative fee. Lost bus passes will only be issued to the parent, sponsor or guardian, however, repeated loss of bus passes may result in disciplinary action.

Special Requirements for Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten:

For the safety of the children in PreK and Kindergarten, we require that a parent /guardian or other designated adult meet them at their bus stop after dismissal 15:30hrs and on other Early Dismissal days. Monitors will not discharge the younger children from the bus unless there is an adult to meet them. Failure to meet your child may result in a suspension of bus privileges.

Please inform the Bus Coordinator in writing if someone other than the parent / sponsor is picking up your child(ren).

Temporary Bus Passes

• Temporary bus passes (barring an emergency) will ONLY be issued to students with set days / destinations (such as the CDC or SAC). The bus office will no longer issue temporary bus passes for day-to-day changes.
• In an emergency / special situation, a temporary bus pass, valid up to 1 week, can be issued. All requests MUST be e-mailed to the US-Elementary office AND the Bus Office no later than the morning of the requested change.

Please visit the AIS website's Transportation page to download full details about issuing Temporary Bus Passes.

Bus Routes

Bus routes are established within the commuting area for transporting children/students to and from school. The bus route boundary is established by the Board of Governors in conjunction with the availability of adequate housing in the catchments/commuting area. Parents/guardians who choose to live outside of the catchment/commuting area are responsible for getting their children to the nearest pick up point. Changes to routes will only be authorized by the Directorate. The catchment/commuting area for AFNORTH International School is available in the AIS School Bus Office (C 1.2) USAG SCHINNEN and HQ JFC Brunssum Housing Offices.

Pickup/Drop-off

The child/student bus pass identifies:

• Students’ name
• Morning and afternoon bus numbers
• Morning and afternoon bus stop location.

Bus contractors are only permitted to use scheduled bus stops designated by the chief planner. Bus stops have been established to keep walking to a minimum and are determined to be the easiest and safest access route for the students as well as for the bus. The acceptable walking distance for all grades is one kilometer one way.

Buses- Late Arrival

Sometimes through breakdown or traffic delays, buses may arrive late at their pickup point. In most cases, it can take some time to get this information to the Bus Coordinator. As a general rule, we advise children/students to stay at the bus stop for at least 30 minutes after the scheduled pickup time. A bus will always drive the route, but we cannot be certain how long it will take the contractor to respond.

After-School Activity Bus

During The Fall Elementary after school clubs/activities, all students must pre-register for after school transportation. The elementary activity buses follow a predetermined route.

The Secondary after school activity buses are not available for use by our elementary students.

Misconduct on School Buses

The Bus Coordinator will initially handle all reports of misconduct or violation against AIS school bus regulations. In the event of a suspension from bus privileges, a copy of the letter will be sent to the Parent’s Base Commander.

School Bus Standards of Behavior

We consider the school bus ride, both to and from school, to be no less than an extension of the school day. What this means is that school rules apply to all students, no matter where they are in the school day, be it waiting at the bus stop, playing on the playground or learning in the classroom. No matter where they are during the school day, your child’s safety and security is paramount.

Because our bus drivers must focus their attention on the road and not be distracted by what is happening in the back of the bus, the behavior of our students while riding is of the utmost importance. The Board of Governors along with the Directorate have adopted rules to govern behavior on the bus that are based on common sense safety and security guidelines with a view to keeping our children safe during the trip to and from school. To that end the Board of Governors has, as well, adopted a concrete set of sanctions in order to enforce school bus guidelines.

Older students are expected to behave more maturely and thoughtfully than younger students. Therefore they will be held more responsible for the consequences of their conduct. Older students are expected to set an example for the younger students.

Lost Property

A lot of time is devoted by school officials to Lost Property. Ideally your child’s property should be marked with his/her name, this can then be returned if left on or around the buses. If items with no names are handed in to the Bus Coordinator these will be kept in his office until Friday afternoon of each week then placed in the lost property box in the cafeteria.

Special Needs Student Transport

When it has been determined that a child with special needs requires transport (by the US-Elementary Case Study Committee), the appropriate office will arrange for this service. If a student with special needs will no longer be attending school, please notify the US-Elementary Office the day before if possible. Late notification means transport cannot be cancelled and expenses are incurred.

Privately Owned Motor Vehicles (POMV) on School Car Park

The safety of our students is of paramount importance; please observe the following rules for POMV. Parking is permitted on the school grounds between 07.30hrs and 17.30hrs with the following exceptions: the car park is closed for entry and exit at the following times:

08.35 - 09.00, 15.05 - 15.45 and on early dismissal days at 11.55 - 12.40hrs. These closures are during student bus loading and unloading times and are established for safety reasons. Bus coordinators and traffic wardens are responsible for the arrival, loading and departure of the school buses; please follow any directions given, all traffic signs will be obeyed in order to ensure the safety of our children. Any persons disregarding the safety rules will be reported to the International Military Police.

Bus Route Catchment Area

All information concerning bus routes and the catchment area may be picked up in the AIS Bus Office C 1.2, the Schinnen Housing office, or the JFC International Housing Office.

CUSTOMER SERVICES

All students must be registered with the School Bus Office (SBO) prior to riding a school bus. After registering in the National Section Office you will be directed to the Bus Coordinator’s Office to register for a bus.

Questions and concerns regarding school busing should be directed to the Bus Office (contacts listed above).