HOPE – A program of twice-daily disinfectant fogging of all 23 buses in the current Hope Public Schools fleet is one step in a continuing program of practices to guard rider safety.
HPS Transportation/Facilities Director Maurice Henry said parents can remain confident the HPS is following Arkansas Department of Health and Arkansas Department of Education guidance during the COVID-19 health crisis.
“We want to thank the parents of the students who ride the buses every day,” Henry said. “They have been good to keep their students reminded to wear a face mask and observe social distancing at bus stops and when riding the bus.”
Henry said students have responded well to the new protocols.
“They have abided by the rules,” he said.
Henry said electrically-powered hand foggers are used to disinfect each bus in the fleet every morning after the first bus run of the day, and each afternoon when parking buses for the night.
He reminded students and parents of the protocols for riding buses this year, including:
At the bus stop: Social distancing 6 feet apart; each rider should wear a face covering.
At the bus door: Use hand sanitizer provided before boarding.
Go to your seat:
>Take the open seat in rear of bus farthest from the front door.
>The Bus Driver will eventually assign seats for the year.
>The seating chart for your bus will be followed all year.
>New riders will be assigned seats as “practical and feasible.”
4. While riding the bus:
>Wear face covering the entire time.
>Keep your hands to yourself.
>Practice social distancing by staying in your assigned seat.
5. Arrive at school:
>Bus unloads one seat at a time from the front.
>Stay in your assigned seat until your turn to get off the bus.
>Wear your face covering while getting off the bus.
>Go from the bus to your assigned building entrance.
6. Returning home: Follow rules 1-5 to go home.
Additional guidance from the ADH is available on the district website at www.hpsdistrict.org online under the COVID-19 tab at the top of the page.
Buses in the Hope Public Schools fleet roll into the district transportation facility for daily fogging to deter COVID-19. Each bus in the 23-unit fleet is treated after both morning and afternoon routes. – Ken McLemore/Hope Public Schools
