TERRE HAUTE —
About 170 big yellow school buses will be traveling the roads of Vigo County beginning this morning as students and teachers embark on the first day of the 2012-13 school year.
Experience tells Franklin Fennell that delays will be inevitable not only today, but for the next week or so, as more than 360 bus routes are tweaked to add new students and adjusted to balance student passenger loads.
“It will be an adventure,” said Fennell, director of facilities, support and transportation for the Vigo County School Corp.
On Monday afternoon, Fennell and staff were making adjustments to add new students and to delete those who have moved.
“Our info changes every minute of every day at this point,” he said. “New kids moved in, and we just find out that someone’s moved out. It’s difficult to provide an accurate count now.”
Close to 11,000 students in the countywide school district will be transported to school during the course of 90 minutes — starting at 6:30 a.m. and continuing through 8 a.m.
At least, that’s what is supposed to happen, Fennell said.
“That won’t happen on the first day,” he said of anticipated slow-downs. “There will be parents wanting to take pictures of the kids for the first day of school. Then there’s the kids who gets sick from anxiety and throw up on the bus.”
Fennell does want parents to know that if they haven’t enrolled their child at a new address, then the bus does not know to stop. But, the bus drivers are instructed to pick up any child waiting to go to school. The details of adding or adjusting the routes will be worked out between the transportation department, school and parents in coming days.
“We try to track down parents and let them know we will adjust the route,” Fennell said.
He does have some advice for parents, students and other motorists to start the school year.
Parents should encourge their child to get on the bus and sit down promptly so the bus can get under way.
“We know they’re excited and want to speak to their friends, but if they’re gonna speak, they should whisper or talk in low voices. The bus driver needs to pay attention. Don’t be a distraction,” he said.
Parents should also encourage their students not to walk toward a school bus until the bus is stopped and the stop arm is out to warn traffic of the stop.
And students should be at their bus stop waiting for the bus, and not expect the bus to wait for them to come out of their homes.
Motorists are encouraged to plan for extra time getting to work in the coming weeks as the buses are added into the morning traffic.
“Motorists need to know that bus routes change each year, so if they anticipate a bus stopping or not, that may not be the same now as it was last year,” Fennell warned.
He also noted that on four-lane highways, such as U.S. 40 in eastern Vigo County, state law requires all four lanes of traffic to stop for the school bus — even though Vigo buses usually load and unload students only from the right side of the bus nearest the curb.
There could be a student living across the highway who does not know bus procedure who darts across the traffic, Fennell explained, so motorists should always be aware that a child could run into the road at a bus stop.
Any parent who wants to contact the school corporation about a transportation issue can call (812) 462-4336.
News
Related Photos
-
10-4: Vigo County School Corporation mechanic David Atkinson calls the dispatcher for a radio check as he does a final inspection of busses to make sure they are ready for Tuesday's first day of school. Bob Poynter
Discussion
Buses ready to roll this morning
- News
-
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
-
Rose-Hulman professor researching ways to make homes storm safe
Tornadoes produce greater uplift forces than hurricanes, which can flatten homes such as in Moore Okla., south of Oklahoma City.
-
Group wants to connect downtown Terre Haute with the Wabash River
Fairbanks Park is underutilized.
The Wabash River is peaceful and inviting, but there is some concern about its cleanliness as well as pollution levels. Also, people can’t get on the river unless they have a boat. -
New conservancy district appoints first directors
Members of the first board of directors of a new lake conservancy district were appointed Tuesday by the Vigo County Board of Commissioners.
-
Vigo law enforcement signs Triad charter to protect seniors
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined Vigo County law enforcement and community activists Tuesday to sign the county’s first Triad charter, becoming the 22nd Triad in Indiana.
-
Wabash Valley Red Cross wraps up Save the Day Campaign
The American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter’s 2013 annual meeting concluded the 17th annual Save the Day Campaign, and the results lifted the spirits of all who were involved.
-
Some Vigo roads washed out
Spring storms resulted in $250,000 in damages to roads in southern Vigo County, with costs including sand and labor to save homes near river bottoms, said county highway Assistant Superintendent Dan Bennett.
-
County Council votes $78K toward rail spur
County officials voted Tuesday night to make good on a 2011 promise to help improve a railroad spur just north of Terre Haute for Menard Inc.
-
Spring flooding damages future CSO holding lagoon
Flood waters from the Wabash River have done costly damage to one of the city-owned “lagoons” on former International Paper property.
-
Vigo tops state average for IREAD-3 scores
The Vigo County School Corp. exceeded the state average in the percentage of students passing the state’s mandatory Grade 3 reading test, IREAD-3.
-
Storms cause minor damage in Valley
Tuesday morning storms in the Wabash Valley caused thousands of Duke Energy customers to lose power.
- More News Headlines
-
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
