CVES does not provide AM and PM bus transportation to and from home and school. Home/school transportation is provided by the student’s home districts. Contract carriers may be utilized in special situations. When appropriate, CVES will transport students to job, community worksites, and occasional field trips, via our own bus and van. CVES assures that all buses, vans, and contract buses used to transport students to work sites and occasional field trips, when allowed, will be disinfected before and after usage. However, when allowed, portal to portal transportation to work sites will require high contact spots to be wiped down between runs. When transporting students to worksites, transportation staff will be expected to wash their hands with soap and water after wiping down high contact spots. This will increase the time and work expectations of the bus driver/monitor/ and attendants.

Safe Environment

To ensure a safe environment, all CVES transportation staff will conduct a self-health assessment before arriving to work. Staff will be required to answer a series of screening questions related to the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. A temperature check will be taken before admission to the buildings. Entry will occur by electronic badge so that tracing can occur.

Hand Sanitizer

Guidance about the availability of hand sanitizer on the bus/van is clear. The CVES bus and van will be equipped with signage prohibiting bottles of hand sanitizer. Visible signage onboard the vehicles will clearly prohibit the carrying of personal hand sanitizer on school buses. Moreover, drivers and attendants will receive training of the potential liability of onboard hand sanitizer to ensure that it is not allowed on the bus. Additionally, all CVES staff operating, monitoring, or attending on buses will receive training from our Health, Safety, and Risk Management Specialist prior to the opening of school on the availability and requirement for hand sanitizers in areas of offices and break rooms. All staff will be provided with direct access to hand sanitizer.

Face Covering

All CVES staff operating, monitoring, or attending on buses will receive training from our Health, Safety, and Risk Management Specialist prior to the opening of school. The CVES bus/van drivers and attendants will be trained in the requirement to wear a face covering. Periodic refresher training will be provided to accommodate changing needs. Professional training regarding the use of personal protection and the signs of symptoms of COVID-19 will be verified. CVES will provide PPE of face masks and gloves to the drivers and attendants. The option of a face shield will be available, in addition to a mask. This is highly recommended to ensure the safety of the vehicle operators given the potential volatility of student behavior. Face shields will be provided to drivers, monitors, and attendants as an extra line of personal protection. It is recommended that when temperatures are reasonable, CVES school buses/van should transport passengers with roof hatches or windows slightly opened to provide air flow.

Social Distancing

All CVES staff operating, monitoring, or attending on buses will receive training on social distancing from our Health, Safety, and Risk Management Specialist prior to the opening of school. Professional Training regarding the use of social distancing will be verified. Periodic refresher training will be provided to accommodate changing needs. When students board the CVES bus or van, a minimum of 6 feet of spacing will be required, monitored, and verified. Wheelchair placement must be configured to ensure social distancing of 6 feet.

Face Mask

All students must wear a face mask when able. CVES will provide extra face masks for students and staff who do not have such in their possession. Students who attempt to board the bus/van for community job sites who do not have masks will be offered one. Face masks must be provided by the CVES bus/van driver/monitor/attendant. Staff will be trained on this mandate and periodically reminded. These will be available at designated entry/departure points within the facility.

CVES acknowledges that students who do not have a mask CANNOT be denied transportation, per NYSED. It is recognized that students who are unable to medically tolerate a face covering, including students where such covering would impair their physical health or mental health, are not subject to the required use of a face covering, per IEP. Staff will be aware of those students whose IEP states that a mask is not required. A confidential list of students whose IEP prohibits the use of the face mask will be maintained for reference. All staff will be trained on this mandate to avoid power struggles upon departure.

Reopening will reorient students on the requirements for returning to the building. Administrators, coordinators, and staff will directly instruct the student body on the proper use of personal protection and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Periodic, in-class trainings will follow for continuous reinforcement. Educating families about personal protection and the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 both before Reopening and during the opening will be a priority. Additionally, leadership, coordinators, and staff will directly instruct the student body on the proper use of social distancing. Periodic, in-class trainings will follow for continuous reinforcement. Students will be taught to use social distance (six feet separation) on the bus. If siblings or children who reside in the same household ride the bus, they will be encouraged to sit together. When students embark and disembark from the bus, they will follow social distancing protocols. Educating families about social distancing both before Reopening and during the opening will be a priority.

If school is in session remotely, CVES does not provide bus transportation to and from school. Home/school transportation to other schools, if applicable, would be provided by the student’s home districts.