Orange County Public Schools Victoria Creech Training Representative 2015 WINNER ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES – SCHOOL BUS MONITOR

Orange County Public Schools

Victoria CreechTraining

Representative 2015

WINNERORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES – SCHOOL BUS

MONITOR TRAINING PROGRAM


OUR MISSION

TO PROVIDE THE OPERATIONAL SERVICES ESSENTIAL TO THE DISTRICT’S SUCCESS


ORIENTATIONLet me take you on a trip of a typical week with a group of new employees through our monitors

training class!Welcome: Introduce yourself and other instructors

Have each employee introduce themselves and their previous work experienceExplain what is expected of them during the course

Review our Mission statementExplain the type of students they will be working with along with some of the challenges they may

encounterCall in procedures while participating in classroom environment

Classroom attendance requirementsFacility Orientation

Course Agenda/DexterityID Badge

Operations HandbookTest Scores

Explain the importance of reading and understanding our Policy & Procedures Operation Handbook


Let’s Get Started By Asking a Few Question

1. Do you truly enjoy working with children, including children with special needs?

2. Do you believe that all children, even severely misbehaving children, have a good side?

3. Are you compassionate? Does helping others give you satisfaction?4. Are you flexible, willing to work in constantly changing, often challenging

conditions?5. Do you consider yourself a problem-solver? Do you take pride in using

common sense to improve difficult situations? Are you willing to take responsibility to resolve unforeseen or emergency situations?


6. The physical demands on a bus monitor can be surprisingly high, and candidates need to be in good physical condition. The job can require strenuous physical activity. Another important element in being successful as a bus monitor is the willingness to maintain a neat and professional appearance on the job. It is difficult to win the respect of children or the community when dressed sloppily or inappropriately. You will be issued uniforms at the completion of this course.

7. The physical demands on a bus monitor can be surprisingly high, and candidates need to be in good physical condition. The job can require strenuous physical activity. Being a bus monitor demands much more than simply “sitting in the bus.”


8. Because of the daily proximity with children, bus monitors should be free of serious communicable diseases that might be readily transmitted in the course of their duties, such as tuberculosis or hepatitis.

9. There are no requirement that bus monitors hold a commercial driver license, however, bus monitors need to be familiar with the key mechanical aspects of a school bus in case of an emergency.


Agenda

Classroom times are approximately from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM (unless classes run late or early).

Flexibility is One Key to Success.


ID Name Badge

• Your ID badge must be worn at all times while working for Orange County Public Schools. Remember the ID number we will be issuing you - it is also located at the bottom of your ID badge.


Sections of the Operations Handbook

• Introduction• Qualifications• Safety• First Aid• Operations of the School Bus• Fleet Services• Special Needs Information• Policies Regarding Students• Operating Procedures Forms• Forms• Index

Lot’s to learn – however remember each day on the bus shows the student s’ just how much you care!


Monitors Training ClassesCode of CivilityQualificationsBehavior ManagementTeam WorkKnow Your BusLoading and Unloading Ambulatory PassengersCharacteristics of Special Needs StudentsTransporting Special Equipment for Special PeopleFirst Aid Evacuations DrillsEmergency ProceduresMonitor Injury PreventionFinal Exam; Muse have a 70% average – Must demonstrate how to secure each CSRS properly.


Survey

Please fill out and complete after each classroom presentation. We appreciate your honest opinion.

At the end of the week we will collect the form. Please do not sign your name just place them on top of the table.


Bus Monitor Training



OVER VIEW OF BUS MONITOR CLASSES


Diversity/Code of CivilityWhen people who are working together agree, the partnership runs smoothly. But no tow people will always agree and that can make partnership difficult.

The partnership is most powerful – as children are educated to reach their potential – when we agree on how to disagree. We must be civil in our discourse.

Civility is often described by its absence. We hear of harmful actions such as road rage, physical confrontation, ethnic stereotypes and slurs. But civility is not just an absence of harm. It is the affirmation of what is best about each of us individually and collectively. It is more than saying “please” and “thank you”. It is reflecting our respect for others in our behavior, regardless of whether we know or like them. It is not simply being politically correct and is not to used to stifle criticism or comment.

It is being truthful and kind and is each of us taking responsibility for our own actions rather than blaming others.

As we communicate with each other, we need to remember that we are working together to benefit the children of this community.


Qualifications, Duties & Responsibilities

• Physical: This could typically involve some combination of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds).

• Communication Skills• Attend meeting and conferences with parents, administrators, students and necessary.• Respect Confidentiality• In conjunction with the bus operator, report and safety problem or potential safety concerns.• Report concerns regarding your bus operator.• Responsible to communicate with students, parents, bus operators, school staff, emergency

personnel, and others. Both verbal and written communication.• Work with bus operator in a cooperative manner.• Complete Safety/Discipline Referrals and other incident reports as necessary.• Conduct themselves in a professional manner and remain alert at all times.• Bus monitor must communicate with Dispatch Office via 2-way radio if needed.• Oversees and supervise daily bus activities to facilitate proper student conduct during

transport.


• Ensures the safe loading and unloading of students to and from school.• Possesses and demonstrates knowledge of behavioral strategies.• Adheres to and applies appropriate disciplinary controls for the students.• Possesses and demonstrates knowledge of the most common health care conditions of

children.• Possesses and demonstrates knowledge of the maintenance and care of medically fragile

students, including student-specific training.• Operates, maneuvers, and/or controls the actions of Child Safety Restraint Systems; car seats,

safety vest, wheelchairs, and other bus equipment.• Assist the bus operator with pre/post inspection activities.• Bus Monitor is responsible to know the bus route; possesses and demonstrates knowledge of

the maintenance and care of medically fragile students, including student-specific training.• Performs routine cleaning to include attending to spills and cleaning of body fluids, etc.• Oversees and supervises daily bus activities to insure proper student conduct during

transport.

“The ability to communicate effectively with all types of people is one of the most important jobs as a school bus monitor.”



Behavior Management

Discipline on the school bus is one of the greatest challenges facing school bus operators and bus monitors. There are important reasons for having a discipline system on the buses, but of utmost importance is for the safety of students. Overview of subjects:

Team WorkPositive and Caring AttitudeRespect for OthersCommunication SkillsSkills for controlling students behavior.Empathy


Team Work

Children sense when the bus operator and bus monitor are not in “sync.” Some children learn how to manipulate the situations to their advantage.

Don’t gossip, don’t disagree with each other in front of the students, work together as a TEAM, remember it is not “My” bus it is “Our Bus.”

Don’t ask each other for personal favors or special treatment.

Take pride in the excellent job done by both members of the team is a good way to build bridges and overcome differences.

Always conduct yourself in a professional manner.


Being assigned to the same bus route is a little like being married. The ability to get along “for better or worse” – in spite of different backgrounds,

personal likes and dislikes, personality conflicts, etc. – it is an art!



Know Your Bus


This chapter is covered outside on school buses - we will cover the following subjects:• Different types of buses• Compartmentalization• How to protect yourself by seating properly• Lap restraints• Entrance Doors• Emergency Exits – Open and close windows, and all exits• Stopping, shutting off, and securing the bus• Review emergency evacuations and exit points• Using the 2-Way Radio• Triangles Reflectors• Placement of triangles• Strap Cutter• Fire Extinguisher• Location of Fuel Tank


Characteristics

Transporting special needs students could present many unique challenges and opportunities. Bus operators and bus monitors must deal with medical problems, emotional outburst, aggressive behaviors, inappropriate language, high noise levels, communication deficits, and high incidence of behavior challenges. We will cover the following subjects:• Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPS) on Confidentiality• Individualized Education Program (IEP)• Disabilities Recognized in Florida• Special Factors• Responsibilities of Special Needs bus operators and monitors• Dress Code• Communication• Parent Guide Book


• Emotionally Behavior Disabilities• Students Identified with Intellectual Disability• Developmental Delay• Autism Spectrum Disorder• Specific Learning Disabilities• Physically Impaired• Orthopedically Impaired• Traumatic Brain Injury• ADD and ADHD • Medically Fragile Students• Speech & Language Impaired• Visually Impaired• Deaf or Hard of Hearing• Dual Sensory Impaired


• Osteogenesis Imperfecta• Cerebral palsy• Spastic• Spina Bifida• Muscular Dystrophy• Epilepsy• Service Animals• Undeliverable Special Needs Students• Certificate of Appreciation

REMEMBER ALL STUDENTS NEED PRAISE! Children react to kindness and smiles – put your happy face on and start the day!



Child Safety Restraint Systems / Special Equipment

Working with students with special needs requires strenuous physical activity throughout the day, that is why it is so important the bus operator/bus monitor is in good physical condition.

Loading and unloading of students in wheelchairs and the securement of the wheelchair and student, could be a potential for injury, so safety measures are of the upmost importance.

One of the most important things you want to ask yourself when you meet the student for the first time is, “How would I evacuate this student in an emergency?” Plant the seed early in your thought pattern and be prepared if an incident does happen on your bus.


We will cover the follow topic:• FMVSS 225 – Child Restraint Anchorage System• Maximum Seat Spacing• Lap Belt System FMVSS 210 Bus Seats• Strap Cutters• Loop Belts• Retractor Belts• Latch System• Placement of preschoolers• Maintenance and Inventory• NHTSA Reuse After Minor Crash criteria• Care and Maintenance• Car Seats/Installation


• Cleaning Instructions• SafeGuard Star System• Safety Vest• Wheelchair Securement• Transit Wheelchair• Wheelchair Lift and Lift Door/Operation Procedures• Do’s and Don’t of Wheelchair Safety• Loose Objects• Extension Straps• Removal of Lap Trays• Assistive Devices• Oxygen Consideration


QUESTIONS


First Aid

Explain procedures regarding First Aid relating to Orange County Public Schools Transportation Services; discuss liability issues related to the role of the school bus operator/monitor; determine strategies to reduce legal liability; and understand the importance of following procedures regarding handling incidents as they occur on the bus.

Topics To Be Discussed:• Body Fluid Kit• First Aid Kit• Rescue Breathing• Good Samaritan Law• Poisoning• Allergic Reactions


• Heat Illness• Eye Injuries• Wounds• Nosebleeds• Burns• Good Safety practices• Bites• Universal Precautions• When to Call Dispatch for 911• First Aid for Seizures• Kelsey Ryan Act• Guidelines for Students with Epinephrine Injector• First Aid for Shock• Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)


• Breathing Difficulties• First Aid for Choking• Don’t Forget to Secure Your Bus

Don’t forget to practice!



Loading and Unloading

Nationally, approximately eight of every ten students who have died in school bus accidents were killed during loading and unloading.


Bus Monitor’s Role in Protecting Children as They Board or Leave the Bus

• One of the most important responsibilities of a bus monitor is to protect children as they get on or off the bus.

• You may be assigned to supervise a seriously emotionally disturbed or medically fragile student who cannot be left alone.

• Pre-K routes.• Maintain discipline.• Never give children notes or other loose papers as they leave the bus.• Help your bus operator keep an eye out for other children.• Remember the danger zones and mirror usage, stay alert at all times.• Train yourself to scan the area around each bus stop.• Watch for unusual activity or potential hazards.


Student Stop Procedures

• Help your bus operator with loading & unloading procedures.• Make eye contact with and count students.• When the bus comes to a stop, move to the top of the bus stairs and wait

for the bus operator to open the door.• If you must depart the bus, use the handrail as you go up/down the steps.• Check before you step off the bus.• Check the road surface for uneven spots, pot holes, curbs, slippery spots,

debris, etc.• Teach children to wait well back from the edge of the road (15 feet, if

possible).• Create a signal file formation.• Remind the students to watch their steps.• Once on board, be prepared for the bus to resume motion.


• Ensure everyone is seated before the bus moves. (including yourself)• Help the bus operator check danger zones, mirrors before pulling away.• Be alert for children running for a missed bus.• Always expect the unexpected when dealing with children and traffic.

If a student must cross the street the monitor will escort them across, if a parent is not there to cross with an elementary student.



Emergency Procedures


Bus Operator/Monitor Pre- Emergency Plan

The question is “Are your prepared?”…..you never know when it’s going to be your day to be involved in an accident or incident!• Know the location of fir stations, police stations and hospitals.• Make information readily available for substitute bus operators.• Have completed bus registration forms for each student.• Have an action plan.• Know your route, students, abilities of each child, where the bus

registrations are, and be ready to jump into action if the bus needs to be evacuated.

• Awareness of your environment.• How to evacuate your students.• Know the “chain of command” to follow.• What are the notification procedures for emergency.


• Know how to complete emergency evacuation drills.• Notification procedures for after-hours operations.• Know how to secure the bus.• Comminution skills regarding radio usage, and students.• Know all emergency exits – plan this ahead of time with your eyes closed.• Remain Calm.• Do not discuss the facts of a crash except with police, fire and rescue, or

transportation officials.• Provide list of all passengers, ages, addresses and seating positions.• Emergency information should be carried including emergency phone

numbers and additional information regarding the student.• Give clear, concise answers.• Obtain name, addresses, tag numbers of witnesses.


Remember Practice makes Perfect!


THANK YOU FOR ATTENDINGIF I CAN BE OF ANY HELP TO YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME @

407-521-2339 EXT. 2057258Orange County Public Schools, Transportation Services

Orlando, Florida 32808E-mail: [email protected]

Reference and Resource Materials; “Bus Attendant Training”, Syracuse, NY, 1995;”State of Florida Basic School Bus Driver Curriculum”, Tallahassee, FL. 1984; “ Operation Handbook”, Orange County Public Schools; “Basic School Bus Monitor Handbook”, Orange County Public School, Orlando, FL.; “Wheelchair Securement”, Sure-Lok, Inc., Branchburg, NJ; “Florida Guidelines for Seating of Pre-school Age Children”, Florida Department of Education; “School Bus Attendant Training Curriculum”, PTSI, Syracuse, NY, 2004

Documents

Orange County Public Schools Victoria Creech Training Representative 2015 WINNER ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION SERVICES – SCHOOL BUS MONITOR