GGAM IBT Bussing Agreement

GGAM IBT BUSSING APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT

ELIGIBILITY

Bus service is available for students who reside within the boundary for the IBT program at Allan A. Martin school. Bus service from areas outside of the IBT boundary is not available.

The bussing program is open to every student enrolled in the IBT Program at Allan A. Martin Senior Public School. Only those students who have paid the required fees and continue to be in good standing are permitted to ride on buses provided by the GGAM IBT Bussing Committee.

Every effort will be made to provide bussing for all students; however, it may not be possible (nor does the GGAM IBT Bussing Committee guarantee) to provide bussing for every student who applies. Efficient routing and adequate bus loading are essential. Buses will not enter construction zones or housing sub divisions or roadways undergoing major repairs. It is entirely the parent’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the student to and from the bus stop.

RIDE TIMES, ROUTING AND WALKING DISTANCE

Students can expect pick up times to range from 6:30 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. (please note: times are subject to change). Our goal is to ensure that all students arrive at school safely and between 8:00-8:10 a.m. for the start of the school day.

Students can expect the maximum walking distance from their home to the bus stop to be up to 1 km.

Bus routes and stops will be set up to best serve the needs of the majority. Students are expected to meet at their designated stops and will not be dropped off or picked up at other points. Safety and efficiency are the prime considerations in setting up bus stops. Please note that the drivers are not permitted to make any changes to stop locations. Students must ride their designated buses. Switching or bus hopping is strictly forbidden.  Violation of these rules may lead to loss of bussing privileges.  See the SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT AND SAFETY RULES section below for the complete list.

We acknowledge that students will participate in various school activities and the base curriculum will require them to transport additional items, such as musical instruments and oversized hockey bags are some examples, on board the bus, however, items that may take up additional seating or cause a safety issue on the bus, will not be permitted. 

In order to give students adequate time to go to their lockers after school, the buses will not leave the schools until 2:40 p.m. (Please note: Times are subject to change based on school and bus schedules.)

BUSSING COST PER STUDENT

The cost of bussing for students for the 2024-2025 school year is estimated at $2,486 ($2,200 plus HST) per student. This cost is based on the total number of students enrolled in the bussing program and is subject to change. You will be advised of the final cost once enrollment numbers have been confirmed and if any cost adjustments are required. As a non-profit corporation, we only use funds for the purposes of running the bussing program and any excess funds collected will be disbursed after the end of the school year.

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Payments can be made by cheque or Interac e-Transfer only. Due to processing costs, credit cards, debit cards and other payment methods such as PayPal are not accepted at this time. Choose your preferred option when completing the application form.

PAYMENT BY INTERAC E-TRANSFER

If you select payment by Interac e-Transfer, you will be contacted with instructions on how to make your payment by email after your application has been submitted. Interac e-Transfer payments must be made in full by July 6. Installment payments are not accepted and the full amount must be paid in a single payment.

PAYMENT BY CHEQUE 

If you select payment by cheque, please mail cheque(s) for the total amount along with the signed agreement (SIGN-OFF SHEET) before June 30. 

Please make cheques payable to 'GGAM IBT Bussing Committee', and write the student name and GGAM ID NUMBER (the GGAM ID number is the number generated online when registering and the number will be different each year) in the memo section on the cheque. Send the deposit cheque and all postdated cheques along with your application to the address below (DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS OR CHEQUES TO THE SCHOOL):

GGAM IBT Bussing Committee

6-2400 Dundas Street West

Suite 415

Mississauga ON  L5K 2R8

A $50 fee will be impose for each NSF cheque. All NSF cheques must be replaced by certified cheques and must include the $50 NSF service fee.

LATE APPLICANTS

Applications for bussing are open between April 10 and June 15. Once the bus routes are set up and it is extremely difficult to accommodate late registrants, however we will do our best to accommodate as many students as apply.  Late applications may be accepted at our discretion and acceptance is not guaranteed. A $100 late application fee may apply. Late applications are processed only after all prior applications have been accommodated and if space is still available. Routes will not be altered to accommodate late applicants, and parents will be responsible for getting students to the designated bus stops as late applicants are accommodated on existing stop locations which may be more than 1km walking distance.

BUS PASSES

Bus passes will be required to board the bus on the first day of school and upon request hereafter. All applicants who have paid in full (postdated cheques processed) will receive a bus pass with their name and route number. This will be emailed to you in August. If you have not received your pass by August 31st please contact the GGAM IBT Bussing Committee via e-mail at contact@ggam.ca. 

To replace a lost bus pass, please contact us at contact@ggam.ca to request a replacement. A replacement fee may apply.

COMMUNICATION

All GGAM IBT Bussing Committee communications are made through e-mail; therefore, you must provide us with a reliable e-mail address (primary and alternate email addresses are requested) and please ensure that this is correct throughout the year.

If you opt-in, we also use mobile phone SMS text messages to communicate bus delays. We do not charge to send messages, and we are not responsible for any charges incurred from using this service. Standard messaging and data rates from your wireless carrier may apply. Any message and data charges from your service provider will appear on your wireless bill or be deducted from your prepaid account. You should consult your wireless service provider regarding what’s included in your price plan. 

We will only use your contact information for communication relating to the bussing program. You agree and consent to the communication and use of your contact information as described above.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS AFTER JUNE 30

If a student changes his/her address after the June 30 online form deadline, the GGAM IBT Bussing Committee will make best effort to accommodate this student on an alternate route, subject to availability on an existing route and at an existing bus stop. No refund will be made if the request cannot be accommodated and the request was made after June 30. Please note that the 'walking distance within 1km' guideline does not apply to change of addresses. An $50 administration fee must be paid by cheque for each request.

REFUND POLICY

Full refunds are provided to students who withdraw from the bussing program on or before June 30. A $50 refund fee may apply.

The cost per student for bussing is determined by dividing the cost of the buses by the total number of students being bused. If refunds are given the program may run short of money and we could end up having to collect an additional "levy" from all the students left in the program. This simply is not practical. Parents and students must commit to the bussing program for the full year.

Absolutely no refunds will be provided after June 30.  The GGAM IBT Bussing Committee will review every refund request that is received and the GGAM IBT Bussing Committee's decisions are final.

END OF YEAR DISBURSEMENT

As a registered non-profit corporation, any surplus  funds collected by the GGAM IBT Bussing Committee will be disbursed to all parents after the end of the school year. Disbursements will be made by cheque or Interac e-Transfer and will be mailed to the mailing address or email address on file. Please contact us at contact@ggam.ca to update your mailing or email address.

You agree that the GGAM IBT Bussing Committee shall have the right to offset any refund amount against any unpaid obligation you may have with the GGAM IBT Bussing Committee.

BUS CANCELLATIONS

The GGAM IBT Bussing Committee observes the same bus cancellation policy as the Peel District School Board. Therefore, if the Peel District School Board cancels bussing due to weather or any other conditions, the GGAM IBT buses will also be cancelled. This applies not only to bussing in the morning to school, but also applies if the Peel District School Board decides to send buses early to pick up students in the afternoon.

ALLERGIES AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

The GGAM IBT Bussing  Committee cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on busses. It is the responsibility of the student/parent/legal guardian to inform us of any severe allergies or other medical condition that may impact on the transportation of the student. We will forward this information to our bussing provider for their information.

BUS SEATING

A seating plan may or may not be assigned. The GGAM IBT Bussing Committee cannot guarantee seating requests or arrangements for students. Decisions regarding seating are ultimately made by the Committee and the bus driver to ensure safe and efficient operation of the bus at all times.

STUDENT BEHAVIOUR

The “School Bus Conduct and Safety Rules” which follow have been prepared using the guidelines of the Peel Board of Education, the Dufferin/Peel Separate School Board, and the Peel Regional Police. These rules have been created to ensure the safety of all students and it is the GGAM IBT Bussing Committee’s intention to support the bus drivers in maintaining a safe environment on the bus.

SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT AND SAFETY RULES

Parents/Guardians must not:

• Chase or otherwise attempt to disrupt the bus in the event of a missed bus or otherwise 

• Interrupt or distract the bus driver during a stop or while on the route. The bus driver cannot change routes or answer questions

• Use rude, disrespectful or abusive behaviour or communication towards anyone at GGAM IBT Bussing Committee, the bus provider, or any agent or representative

Students must:

• Carry and present their GGAM IBT Bus Pass at all times. Sharing of bus passes is strictly prohibited.

• Travel to and from school on their designated buses only. They must get on and off at their designated stop.

• Be at their pick-up point 10 minutes before the designated time. Remember that times given are approximate and can vary due to road and weather conditions.

• Listen to the bus driver when getting on and off the bus, especially when a road must be crossed.

• Go directly to their seat and remain seated at all times until they are let off the bus by the driver.

• Follow all instructions from the bus driver, especially about placement of their personal belongings. Students are responsible for the safety of their belongings and in no case shall the GGAM IBT Bussing Committee or the bussing service provider be held responsible for lost or stolen belongings.

• Not smoke; vape; eat or drink; fight; use loud, offensive, or abusive language, make obscene or objectionable gestures; display printed or hand drawn signs in the bus windows.

• Not physically assault, verbally assault, or otherwise harass anyone else.

• Not open or close windows unless the driver permits it.

• Keep all personal belongings inside the bus at all times.

• Not damage or deface the bus (the student and their parents will be held financially responsible for any damage.)

• Respect private property while waiting for the bus.

• Not distract the driver while the bus is in motion unless absolutely necessary.

• Not use a personal headset or headphones when using laptops, tablets, phones, music players or any similar device on the bus.

• Follow all health and safely protocols (including wearing a mask) as required by the school, school board, bus service provider or government health authority.

• Not hold seats for other students, place backpacks, instruments, or other personal belongings on seats, or otherwise block the use of seats or aisles on the bus for any reason. Backpacks, instruments, and other belongings must be placed on the floor out of the way of other students at all times.

DISCIPLINE PROCESS

Driver Conduct Reports (Pink Slips) are reported to the Principal of the school. Consequences include notification of parents, warning of suspension of bus privileges, suspension of bus privileges up to and including permanent suspension for the balance of the year. The table below is a guideline of the typical discipline process; however, The GGAM IBT Bussing Committee may escalate or otherwise alter the discipline process based factors such as the severity of the incident(s), and all decisions made by GGAM IBT Bussing Committee are final.

Bussing privileges may not be offered in subsequent years to riders who have previously received a suspension. Discipline reports are maintained and carry over from year to year. The GGAM IBT Bussing Committee and the school will keep driver reports on file for each student for all years.

Refunds for bussing will not be issued if the rider is suspended for disciplinary or behavioural reasons.

AGREEMENT 

BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR BUSSING, YOU CONFIRM AND AGREE THAT:

• THE STUDENT YOU ARE APPLYING FOR IS IN THE IBT PROGRAM AT ALLAN A. MARTIN SENIOR PUBLIC SCHOOL.

• BOTH STUDENT AND PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN HAVE READ THE GGAM IBT BUSSING AGREEMENT. 

• AS PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN, YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE GGAM IBT BUSSING AGREEMENT.