EPCHS 309 Transportation

10/20/2021

2021-10-20
Friday, October 22, 2021 is bus driver appreciation day in Illinois! Since that day happens to be our parent-teacher conference day with no school, we are celebrating on Monday 10/25/21. The superintendent is making us breakfast! She said she'll pull everything out of the oven and be here at the bus garage by 7:30 AM.
Bring your appetite!

10/08/2021

I think we all like a good breakfast!

McDonald’s is giving away free breakfast to teachers, faculty and staff for five straight days in October as a “Thank you” for all they do.

10/07/2021

The driver fell asleep and didn't wear his seat belt. The bus free wheeled over a lawn and hit 2 cars yesterday morning

Shortly after 9:00 AM this morning, the school bus was picking up children in the area of Central Avenue, when according to children on the bus, the bus driver fell off his seat. The driver lost control of the bus, sending the bus across a lawn, and crashing into two parked vehicles.

09/30/2021

Fall driving can get risky when deer get frisky!

09/20/2021

2021-09-20
SHIELD testing for staff (who want to test) starts tomorrow 9/20/21. Here is a link for more info https://shieldillinois.com/. Also, there is a nice video from U of I https://youtu.be/QaNzXT1aIFs, which outlines the process.

Two different ways that K-12 schools are collecting saliva samples for SHIELD Illinois' COVID-19 test.

09/17/2021

2021-09-17
Remember--if you are not vaccinated, you must provide proof of a negative test by Monday morning. If you are vaccinated, make sure we have proof of that if you do not want to test weekly.

In-house COVID testing starts on Tue 9/21 from 7:30AM to 11AM. Tests will be administered by HR Support. They will email/text you the results in a few days and you just need to show me the proof when you get it.

The homecoming parade will be next Wednesday, starting at 6pm on Fondulac Drive.

Brad reached out to both Dave Koehler and Tim Butler to inform them of the dire straits school districts are facing with the lack of bus drivers (and other support staff). We are hoping to hear back soon.

With the new cameras at the bus garage, Officer Roos wanted to get signage up on both lots that notify the area is under surveillance. We have them now and they should be up shortly.

Evacuation drills went well on Wednesday. We'll do another round on Wednesday 9/22

We are having some issues with bathroom vandalism due to a TikTok challenge where students post videos of themselves stealing school items (soap dispensers, EXIT signs, air fresheners, etc). This is apparently a new national trend. As of Thursday afternoon, there had been 3 different bathrooms vandalized in 2 days.

I wish they would start a TikTok challenge of tipping their bus drivers :)

09/09/2021

2021-09-09
Additional info from the super...

"Hi Everyone,

As I am sure you've heard, the Governor issued a new Executive Order extending the deadline for either testing or providing proof of vaccination to September 20.

Here is what this means for you:
If you are vaccinated and do not want to have to test weekly, you need to provide Elisabeth Barclay with a copy of your proof of vaccination. This can be a photo of your card, a photocopy of your card, or a download from something like OSF MyChart. A letter from your doctor's office with the dates and details of vaccination would also be acceptable. If you do not want to provide that evidence, you will be in the weekly testing pool.
If you are not vaccinated, you will need to provide a copy of a negative test result (PCR or Rapid) from sometime during the prior 7 days (September 14-19) on the 20th. Failure to provide a negative test result means we are required to exclude you from working. If you are excluded, you can use personal or vacation time, but you cannot use sick time to continue to be paid.
We anticipate our in-house SHIELD testing to start on Tuesday, September 21st (fingers-crossed). As soon as that starts, you can be tested in the Commons between 7:30 and 10:30 am each Tuesday. The negative results from that saliva test will be applicable to the following Monday. (If your test comes back positive--results come in about 24 hours after testing--you would be quarantined and the negotiated agreements would govern how we handle your quarantine.) If you choose not to participate in the SHIELD testing and prefer to be tested elsewhere, you will still need to provide proof of a negative test taken in the prior 7 days on the first day of work each week.

Please know that these requirements are governed by the Executive Order from the governor and are not intended to be personal in any way. Also know that the "emergency rules" from ISBE have still not been released. If, when they are released, they contradict something in this email, I will clarify with everyone. Right now, we are all just doing the best we can. I appreciate your cooperation, your patience, and your understanding.

I know the start of this year has been ROUGH and that everyone is being asked to do more than in the past. Thank you for what you are doing to help us be able to continue to have in-person school--we know that is best for our students.

Thanks for reading and please let me know if you have questions."

09/08/2021

2021-09-08
We have some guidance in regards to testing. The test is good for a whole week!

The Short Version:
If you are vaccinated, show me your vaccine card.
If you are unvaccinated, get tested next week and show me the negative result ASAP

The Long Version
1) If you are vaccinated, I can make a copy of your card and that gets you out of weekly testing.
2) If I don’t have a vaccine card from you, I will assume you are unvaccinated and you will be required to test weekly in accordance with the executive order.
3) Unvaccinated drivers will go get tested once per week on Sun - Sat.
4) By the first work day of each week, the unvaccinated need to show a negative test from the prior week.
5) You don't have to show proof again until the following week

The first day to show proof of testing is Mon 9/20 from a test administered from 9/12 to 9/19.

Word on the street is that Walgreens is the best place to get tested. I put the link on the driver’s computer.

How the COVID-19 testing process works

Go to https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing?ban=covid_testing
Complete a quick questionnaire.
Choose a location and time for your COVID-19 test
Go to the testing location and remain in your vehicle with the window rolled up.
Show your confirmation email and a valid state ID or driver’s license
Perform the nasal swab yourself under the direction of a pharmacy team member.
Get results via email and/or text.

I recommend getting your appointment scheduled as soon as possible, as appointments are filling up quickly.

Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing is now available at select Walgreens locations. Learn more to see if you should consider scheduling a COVID test.

09/07/2021

Vaccine mandate deadline extended because only a few places could comply...
New deadline is now Monday September 20. Just got some guidance from our attorney yesterday, but there are still issues to be worked out before we'll know how to actually comply.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced a two-week extension of vaccination requirements for …

09/01/2021

HB4135 affects both public and non-public schools. Basically says that schools have to do what the governor says or else suffer "penalties as appropriate".

If someone complains to ISBE that kids aren't wearing their masks then that school will have to go all remote. Gives ISBE the authority to create new rules effective immediately to force schools to do what they are told.

Further states that schools have to figure out how to offer remote learning for all students according to state standards for special ed and homeless students.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=4135&GAID=16&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=136708&SessionID=110&GA=102

For those who do not believe that our Governor is overreaching his authority, take a good look at HB4135 that was filed yesterday by State Representative Edgar Gonzalez Jr. on behalf of the Governor, IDPH and the State Board of Education. Keep in mind that two weeks ago the Governor had threatened any school district with revocation of their recognition status should they not adhere to his mask mandate. As the Governor continues to instill fear in many and discount comments such as mine as nothing more than being for political gain, those in higher power seek to strengthen his authority over local authority every time it has been challenged. 87 Executive Orders later and the only part of the emergency that has been stopped is the freedom of the people to live their lives as they so choose. Reach out to your local state representatives and encourage them to put a stop to this authoritarian nonsense.

09/01/2021

Good story about the driver shortage!

CENTRAL ILLINOIS, (WMBD) – Signs that read “school bus drivers wanted” can be seen across the nation and right here in Central Illinois. School’s back in session, and it mea…