Weather & Traffic Updates

TRAFFIC/CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION

During the summer and fall of 2022, the city of Solon has launched several significant construction projects. Construction may impact traffic and bus route travel intermittently. If bus routes are impacted significantly, families will receive notification via text message and email. Please be sure your current cell phone number and email address are on file with your child's school.

 

 

FALL BUS SAFETY REMINDERS

 

As we transition to colder weather and darker mornings, the Solon Schools Transportation Department is reminding families and drivers in the community of several important safety protocols. Additionally, we want to reinforce the changes that were necessary this school year due to staffing challenges. Some bus stops this year are in different locations than families were used to seeing and students may have slightly longer walks to the stop this year. However, the choice was between lengthening the distance from home to the stops as well as reducing the total number of stops or cutting transportation for some students entirely. The district chose to continue providing bus transportation to as many students as possible. Current bus stop locations will remain in place for the rest of the school year.  

 

The safety of students on our school buses is our top priority. State law requires very specific safety precautions by bus drivers, students, family members and motorists to ensure student safety.

  

All students are assigned and required to use a specific school bus stop with a designated place of safety. When possible, students should wear light-colored clothing or jackets on dark mornings (or place something reflective on coats or backpacks). Families should also: 

• Check new cold-weather clothing for safety. Draw strings and key chains can catch on objects on the bus and create potential safety hazards.
• Help students to be ready at their place of safety at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is due to arrive, even in inclement weather. If necessary, family members should take turns with friends and neighbors to be sure students are supervised at bus stops.
• Never drive to catch up to a bus. Having students run alongside a bus to catch a missed bus at a subsequent stop is dangerous as students could be in a driver’s blind spot. Also, never chase after a bus that may miss a stop on the ride home from school. Drivers follow very specific protocols for missed stops, which includes radioing to the Transportation Department and continuing along the route to a safe location to turn around and bring the student back to the stop. 
• Remind students to alert the driver if they ever drop something near the bus. Students or parents should not reach to pick up items that fall near the bus or roll near the wheels until given the go-ahead that it is safe to do so by the driver.
• Ensure students are not using technology such as phones or earbuds. Playing on a phone or listening to music impedes students’ ability to watch and listen for potential dangers around them as well as hear or see safety instructions from their bus driver.

For parents and other motorists driving during school transportation times, please remember that: 

• Alternating flashing amber (yellow) lights are on to warn motorists that the bus is preparing to stop to let students on or off the bus.
• Alternating flashing red lights are on to warn motorists that the bus is stopped on the roadway to let students on or off the bus.
• The STOP sign arm is engaged at the same time as the red flashing lights are turned on. A white flashing strobe light may also be used during unfavorable conditions or times of day that limit visibility, such as darkness, rain, fog and snow.
• Four-way hazard lights are activated at all railroad crossings and turn-arounds. The bus will stop prior to crossing the railroad tracks.
• The school bus will have its four-way hazard lights and backup light on when preparing to back onto a side street to turn around.
• Motorists must use caution when they approach a bus in the process of completing a turn-around.
• Do not pass a school bus that has red alternating flashing lights. This is the signal that the bus is stopped to load or unload students. Traffic should not move until the bus resumes motion or the driver signals traffic to proceed.
• Be careful and alert on dark streets in the mornings as students and families are waiting at bus stops. Please observe posted speed limits on roadways.
• Remind teen drivers about these important rules of the road.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to students’ safety as they travel to and from school each day. 

 

FALL and WINTER WEATHER BUS INFORMATION

With the onset of colder weather, it is important to have conversations with your child about always adhering to the bus safety rules. Per state law, all student bus riders are assigned a designated place of safety to wait for the bus. It is imperative that students wait for the bus at that designated place of safety, even during inclement weather.

Because the timing of bus routes can vary due to traffic and weather conditions, we ask that your child be at the bus stop at least five minutes prior to his or her scheduled stop time. It is very dangerous for students to run after a bus or for parents to try to drive and catch up to a missed bus. 

If your child’s bus is significantly delayed, we will communicate that information to you through email and text via the district Blackboard Connect messaging system.

Additionally, we ask that you remind your child to focus on getting on and off the bus safely. Students should not be wearing earbuds or headphones or looking at electronic devices or phones. Our drivers are looking out for students as they enter and exit the bus and students need to have their eyes on the driver and be alert for any warnings. This is especially important with the recent increase in motorists ignoring traffic laws regarding school bus warning lights.

If you are driving near a school bus, please be sure you are following the rules of the road as well and remain a safe distance behind the bus and stop for the red flashing signals.

Thank you for your partnership in ensuring the safety of our student bus riders.