Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

She:kon and welcome back as we prepare for the 2008-2009 School Year. Please make note of these tips and be prepared to refer to them if you have any questions.

1) Know your child’s bus number and its driver. AMBE drivers are professionals and are expected to arrive at a consistent time throughout the school year. Please have your child ready to board the bus at least five (5) minutes before its regularly scheduled pick up time. AMBE Drivers have a schedule to keep and are not expected to wait for tardy students.

2) Weather delays and cancellations are announced on CKON daily starting at 6:00 am. Please do not call your child’s school or the AMBE office to find out if there are delays or cancellations.

3) Students who do not catch the bus are expected to be driven in to school. Students should never be dropped off behind a bus. Students are in danger of being in blind spots while trying to catch the bus from behind. Also, an AMBE bus driver will not stop the bus if you are coming from behind with your lights flashing. This is a very unsafe practice and you will be reported to proper authorities. Buses will not be turned around if your child misses the bus.

4) Drop off Zones at the Schools are in use for buses only between 7:30 to 8:30 am daily and 1:45 to 3:15 pm daily. Any unauthorized vehicle parking in the drop off zone is subject to a ticket and towing of the vehicle. If you need to drop off or pick up a student, please use the parking lot and walk to the school.

5) Students should be picked up and dropped off at the same spot daily. If a student needs to be picked up or dropped off at an alternate location a note needs to be brought into the child’s school so arrangements can be made. No phone calls will be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS.

6) Parents need to be at home to receive their children from the AMBE School bus. When parents are not home the student will be brought back to school and Akwesasne Child and Family Services will be notified. Be waiting or visible so the driver is sure that someone is home.

Please watch for further information in the local newspaper and become familiar with the Transportation Handbook. Have a great and safe year!

Dwayne Thomas