On September 1, 2016 PGCPS transportation employees received a letter regarding the proper release of PM Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students.  The letter stated that all Pre-K and Kindergarten students MUST be released to an adult, an older sibling or other designee and that any violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action including possible termination of employment.  This requirement will be added to the Transportation operating rules handbook as a Category III violation.

The proper release of Pre-k and Kindergarten students is a serious issue with serious consequences.  Currently, the process for determining whether or not a Pre-K or Kindergarten student is released properly on a regular route is flawed. Drivers do not receive the names of their Pre-K / K students and their designated drop off point nor do they receive a list of approved persons that may receive these students. In addition, these students have no distinguishing clothing or other readily identifiable badge or label.

This petition seeks to require:

1.    Pre-K/K students to wear on their book bags a fluorescent orange ID tag so that they may be easily identified by the driver.

2.    Pre-K / K students to wear different color uniform so that they may be easily identified as such.

3.    Drivers to be provided a list of Pre-K/ K students assigned to their route.

4.    A list of persons approved to receive the students.

No one wants to be terminated for mistakenly releasing a student off of the bus on their own. This is a serious issue and these improvements are needed for drivers to make the right decision.