CT Reopens Adapt, Advance, Achieve | Page 18

14 Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together Transportation Providing student transportation to schools is an important legal mandate that requires ensuring that all students have access to education at school. The CSDE will work strategically to plan for the fall with LEAs, and particularly with school choice programs, which face the additional challenges of multi-town transportation for students as plans are developed which adhere to these guidelines. Preparation Guidance • Consider gathering data from families to properly plan for resuming classes in the fall, including an assessment of the number students expected to attend, and whether parents or guardians plan to transport their children. • Consult with municipal leaders, including public safety officials, to assess the approach if the school determines parents/guardian transportation is an option, including whether the school can safely accommodate the traffic, and whether local streets will be impacted. • Understand that parents or guardians generally cannot be compelled to transport their children if they choose not to, in which case the LEA maintains responsibility for transporting the student. • Include all transportation providers, including public and contracted bus company representatives where applicable, in planning a return to service. Pick Up/Drop Off Guidance • Assess if a staggered arrival and drop off, properly communicated, will enhance safety protocols in place. • Plan vehicle flow and logistics particularly if there are more family transport vehicles. • Consider arrival/departure procedures that limit unnecessary entrance of parents and guardians into the building. Family or Guardian Transport Guidance • Consider ways to encourage parents and/or guardians to transport their children to schools. If parent and/or guardian transport is likely, schools should plan to safely accommodate new traffic patterns and foot traffic. • Keep in mind the feasibility and availability of alternate transportation by parents/ guardians.