TSBVI Weekends Home - Program Handbook

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Weekends Home Program: 2011-2012 School Year
Please Read Carefully

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July 21, 2011

Dear Parents:

I am sending you this letter to tell you about the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Weekends Home Program for the 2011-2012 school year. Please read this letter carefully so that you will understand how the weekends home program will work this year. It is unchanged from this last school year. The goal has always been to encourage as many of our students to go home each week as is possible. Our school has always held the value that it is important for our students to maintain the bond they hold with their families and local communities. It is our belief parents do a better job of raising their children than we do. The home community is where resources should be developed to assist the student in their transition to productive adult life.

Here is how the 2010-2012 weekends home program works:
If you are within 50 miles of one of our established drop off points: Houston, Balch Springs, (Just south Of Mesquite), Bear Creek (Red Oak), Belton, Hillsboro, Bryan, Waco, Columbus, San Antonio, Castroville, Bracketsville, Fort Worth, Liberty Hill, Brady and Abilene your child will be coming home every weekend.

If you live more than 50 miles from one of our established drop off points you will have the option to have your child come home only when we are closed or we will make every reasonable effort to get your child home approximately every other weekend at school expense. These options apply to all students who live more than 50 miles from established drop-off points, including all who must use public transportation to return home. Please indicate your choice on enclosed form.

ARD Committee Decisions

If your child’s ARD Committee makes decisions regarding your child’s participation in the weekends home program, we will adhere to those requirements.

More Information about the Program

Payment for air transportation and bus/van transportation: Your local school district provides for your child to come home, at no expense to you, when the school closes. Please refer to the official TSBVI school calendar for more information about the specific dates of school closings. On all other designated weekends when your child comes home, TSBVI will either provide TSBVI bus or van transportation for your child to a drop-off point designated by TSBVI or provide a commercial bus or airline ticket for your child approximately every other weekend.

Getting your child from TSBVI, the airport/bus station or drop-off point: For the weekends and holidays that TSBVI closes, your local school district will either provide transportation for your child from either TSBVI, the airport, bus station or the TSBVI drop-off point or reimburse you to do this. You will need to check with someone at your local district about getting paid for this travel.

For all other designated weekends when your child comes home, TSBVI will arrange for you to be paid to pick up your child from the place where your child is dropped off. If your child goes home by plane, you will be paid to pick up and return your child to the airport. If your child goes home by commercial bus or TSBVI bus or van, you will be paid to pick up and take your child to the drop-off point.

Mileage Reimbursement: For each mile you drive back and forth from the drop-off point, TSBVI will reimburse you at the rate of 50% of the federal/state mileage reimbursement rate, which is currently 25 cents per mile. Please be aware that this amount is subject to change based on the federal/state mileage reimbursement rate. So, if you live 15 miles from the drop-off point, TSBVI will pay you 15 x $.25, or $3.75 for your trip to the drop-off point on Friday afternoon; $3.75 for your trip back home on Friday evening; $3.75 to take your child back to the drop-off point on Sunday; and $3.75 for your drive home on Sunday. So, if you live 15 miles from the drop-off point, for one weekend, TSBVI will pay you $15.00.

Reimbursement checks will be mailed to you three times per school year. The first check will be mailed in December and will be for qualifying mileage that you drive between the beginning of the school year and the Thanksgiving holidays. The second check will be mailed in April and will be for qualifying mileage that you drive between the Thanksgiving holidays and spring break. The third check will be mailed in June and will be for qualifying mileage that you drive between spring break and the end of the school year. At this point in the summer we are exploring options to process payments to you more frequently. We may have more information about this by registration time in August.

Safety: Each school vehicle used for the weekends home program is equipped with a variety of safety equipment to make the trip as safe as possible. All weekends home staff have been trained to manage students effectively on the routes and to safely transport the students. This training includes training on evacuations and other emergency response techniques. Every effort is made to ensure a safe ride and a positive experience for students.

TSBVI will need your cooperation to keep your child’s participation as consistent as possible with your assigned schedule.

• Understand, after the school year has started, TSBVI will not be able to make changes (except in emergency or extraordinary circumstances like a hospitalization) in your child’s assigned schedule. In August 2011, we will plan how many staff we will need to supervise students in the dormitories and how many we will need to get students home on each weekend. We cannot afford to make changes after the school year starts because changes will result in spending extra money we do not have or in not having enough residential instructors to safely and effectively supervise the students who do not go home on a particular weekend.
• Make sure that you pick up your child on time and have your child back on time from your drop-off point (airport, bus station, TSBVI drop-off point).
• If your child travels by plane or commercial bus, you must be on time to pick up and to return your child at the time your child’s flight or bus is scheduled.

Sincerely,
William Daughtery Superintendent

Table of Contents

• Gian Calaci Weekends Home Coordinator
• Weekends Home Travel Dates
• Weekends Home FAQs
• Weekends Home Reports
• Weekends Home Vehicle Rules
• Weekends Home Route Information for Houston
• Weekends Home Route Information for Dallas
• Weekends Home Route Information for Fort Worth
• Weekends Home Route Information for San Antonio
• Weekends Home Route Information for San Antonio (Bracketville)
• Weekends Home Route Information for Bryan
• Weekends Home Route Information for Abilene

QUESTIONS? 

Contact:Gian Calaci Weekends Home Coordinator
(512)206-9231 - Office
(512) 844-9362 - Cell
GianCalaci@tsbvi.edu

If you have any questions about these dates, Please call Gian Calaci, the weekends home coordinator, at 512-206-9231.

Weekends Home Travel Dates

• School Closings - All student\ travel home on these dates. TSBVI is closed for the indicated long weekends, holidays or end of year travel, which is June 4.
• 'A' weekend home - All A weekend home students travel home and back to TSBVI on the indicated dates
• 'B' weekend home - All B weekend home students travel home and back to TSBVI on the indicated dates

Weekends Home FAQs

The Weekends Home Program runs every weekend, including school closures (also called long weekends), Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break and Spring Break. The Weekends Home routes will not run during registration weekend or on the last day of school.

What areas does the program serve?

The program provides escorted transportation between TSBVI and the following cities in Texas: Dallas, Houston, Columbus, Fort Worth, Waco, Belton, San Antonio, , Bryan, Abilene, Brady and Liberty Hill.

How does the program work?

Students leave TSBVI campus Friday afternoons, unless otherwise noted on the travel calendar. You must be at the designated pick-up point each Friday and Sunday to pick up or drop off your children. If you would like to arrange for someone other than yourself or somebody on the student’s visitor permission list to pick up your child, you must submit a written statement to Garner Vogt or Shelly Allen so that staff will know that they have permission to release the student to the person you designate.

Estimated times for arrival are noted for each route in the Routes section of this handbook. Parents will be notified of any changes in drop off or pick up times.

When you arrive at the drop-off point, please get out of your car with your child and make contact with a TSBVI staff member. You must be at the drop-off point on time. The bus or van will leave each stop promptly on schedule. The driver is not allowed to stop at any point other than the designated drop-off point without permission from the Weekends Home Coordinator. If you know that you will be late to the drop-off point, you may call the school and ask for permission to “catch up” with the bus or van at another designated point. We will try to work with you to make another stop if it is safe and convenient for the bus to do so.

If you miss the bus or van entirely, it is your responsibility to arrange for your child’s transportation back to TSBVI. Garner Vogt and Shelly Allen will assist you with this, if necessary.

How is my child's medication transported?

Weekends Home staff picks up student medications directly from the Health Center prior to departure. Medications are given directly to parents when they pick up their child. If a child came home with medications on Friday, then they MUST return the medication on Sunday. You must check with the TSBVI staff member who is the medication sponsor before leaving the drop-off point. If the medication is not returned, a TSBVI staff member at the drop-off point will notify the TSBVI Health Center and ask permission for the child to return on the bus or van without the medication. The staff member will then tell you whether your child may return without the medication.

What items must my child pack?

Residential and/or instructional staff are responsible for ensuring that their students pack clothes, personal items, music players and other items that the student may need for the weekend. Please contact residential or day staff if you have specific items that you would like for your child to bring home on weekends. Also, for those students that need it, please provide between one to three changes of clothes and at least three diapers/pull-ups, if appropriate. These actions will help preserve your child’s dignity and comfort throughout the trip. Thanks for your help!

Do buses make a restroom stop?

Buses make one scheduled stop each way. The bus makes additional stops as needed, however we ask that you please take your child to the toilet prior to boarding the bus.

Is food provided for my child?

We will provide snacks for each student for the Friday trip. We do not provide snacks for the Sunday trip and will expect parents to pack a convenient snack for their children. Water and juice are available for students on all trips.

Can my child purchase snacks at the restroom stop?

Due to time constraints, students may not buy snacks or other items at stores during the bus trips. Please plan ahead by providing snacks for return trips.

What if my child has a special diet?

Snacks are provided by the TSBVI Food Service department in accordance with dietary restrictions and allergy information provided to the Health Center. Please keep all information current so that we may provide a safe and healthy meal for your child.

Can I make changes to my child's travel schedule?

We will not be able to change the weekends home schedule assigned to your child except in emergency or critical situations. If you believe that you have an emergency or critical situation and would like to request a change in your child’s schedule, this must be done no later than 4:00pm on the day before travel will occur. You must call either:

Garner Vogt, Residential Director- Comprehensive Programs B
512-206-9115

Shelly Allen, Residential Director- Comprehensive Programs A
512-206-9179

IMPORTANT!

if your child will not be returning on Sunday, as soon as possible, please notify: Gian Calaci ,Weekends Home Coordinator
512-206-9231
512-844-9362

What happens during bad weather?

We will notify you of any cancellations or significant delays of travel due to weather or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Can my child ride the bus if they are feeling ill?

Students experiencing a temperature above 100 degrees, diarrhea or vomiting will not be allowed to return on the bus or van. If a staff member observes a student with any type of medical or health problem indicating that the child may not be healthy enough to return on the bus or van, the staff member may contact the TSBVI Health Center and describe the problem to the nurse on duty. The nurse will determine whether the student will be allowed to return on the bus or van. The staff member will inform you of the nurse's determination.

Can I send money for my child with Weekends Home staff?

Please remember that we will not be responsible for any money or valuables you send back with your child. We are not able to assume responsibility for any money sent with your child. Our staff is not allowed to accept money, and we strongly discourage parents from sending any money or valuables with the students’ luggage.

 What kind of training do Weekends Home staff members have?

TSBVI provides CPR training, bus evacuation procedures, emergency procedures and MANDT training for staff. Staff is also given professional development opportunities to increase the quality of care that your child receives.

Weekends Home Reports

Required Reports of Child Neglect and Abuse:

Texas State law requires all persons who have reason to believe that a child has been abused or neglected to make a report of abuse or neglect to a law enforcement authority such as a police department or the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Reporting abuse and neglect is required.

Therefore, any TSBVI staff member who believes that a TSBVI student has been abused or neglected will make a report of such abuse or neglect to an appropriate authority. Types of conduct that may be reported include: striking a child and driving a child while intoxicated.

Prohibition against releasing students to persons who appear to be under the influence of alcohol. 

TSBVI prohibits Weekends Home drivers and escorts from releasing any student to a person who appears to be either legally intoxicated or incapable of safely operating a vehicle because of alcohol use. At any time a driver or an escort believes that the person to whom the student is to be released is legally under the influence of alcohol or cannot safely operate a vehicle, the driver or escort will notify the local law enforcement authorities to come to the pick-up or drop- off location. The law enforcement authority will determine whether the student may be released to the person picking up the student.

 Student incident reporting:

All incidents (including disrespectful talk to peers or staff) will be reported on an incident report or on a student’s behavior checklist. The same expectations that apply in the classroom and dorm apply on the bus. Following the rules on weekends home is a safety issue. Repeated failure to follow the bus rules may result in a student losing the ability to participate in the Weekends Home program.

Weekends Home Vehicle Rules

**The rules of the Student Code of Conduct apply at all times on the Weekends Home vehicles.**

Be Safe - Be Responsible -Be a Participant -Be Respectful

1. Respect Others' Rights. Students must respect the rights and privileges of other students and Weekends Home staff.
2. Respect Others' Property. Students must respect the property of others.
3. Cooperate with Staff. Students must cooperate with or assist the Weekends Home staff in maintaining safety, order, and discipline.
4. Seatbelts. Students are to remain seated and buckled in their seats as long as the vehicle is in route.
5. Entertainment. Your child is likely to enjoy a smoother bus trip if they carry preferred music, toys, etc. Please remember to provide spare batteries for the four-hour trips. We are happy to work with the team in establishing a supportive bus routine for your child.
6. Headsets Required! All radios, CD players, keyboards, electronic toys, etc. must be used with a headset unless Weekends Home staff has given permission otherwise.
7. SHH! Students must keep all noise levels as low as possible.
8. Rest Stops. Students must cooperate to make each rest stop as safe and efficient as possible. Students will not be able to purchase snacks or drinks at rest stops. All students must be under supervision of a Weekends Home staff person at all times during the rest stop.
9. Glass Prohibited. Students may not bring glass objects onto the vehicle unless they are stored in their luggage.
10. No Aerosols or Sprays. Students may not bring aerosols or sprays (such as perfumes, colognes, etc.) into the seating area of the vehicle.
11. No Hanging Out the Window. Students must not throw or hang anything out of the window of the vehicle.

The rules of the student code of conduct apply at all times on the Weekends Home vehicles.

Weekends Home Route Information for Houston

Houston Route: Austin - Columbus - Houston

The Houston route consists of two buses traveling between Austin and Houston. Buses travel from Austin on highway 71 heading east to IH-10 east into Houston. The Houston route stops in Columbus,Texas at the Columbus Travel Center Shell station for a restroom break and designated stop. Below are detailed directions and maps.

Columbus Stop - Columbus Travel Center

.

Columbus Travel Center, Shell 4800 IH 10 -- Exit #698 Alleyton Rd. Look for the Shell station with a Taco Bell attached

Houston - Lighthouse for the Blind of Houston

If traveling north or south on Rt. 59, take the Greenbriar-Sheppard exit. Go north on Sheppard to West Dallas. Turn right and go to 3602 West Dallas to the Lighthouse for the Blind.

If traveling east or west on IH-10, take the Durham-Sheppard exit. Turn right (if eastbound) or left (if westbound) onto Durham to West Dallas. Turn left to 3602 West Dallas at the Lighthouse for the Blind.

If traveling north or south on IH-45, take Allen Pkwy. Exit to Terrell. Turn left on Terrell. Turn right on West Dallas and go to 3602 at the Lighthouse for the Blind.

Houston Lighthouse for the Blind

Houston Lighthouse for the Blind location:  3602 West Dallas.

This parking lot is donated for our use. Please be respectful of their workspace and do not disturb the people inside the building. Thanks!

Weekends Home Route Information for Dallas

Dallas Route: Austin - Bear Creek - Balch Springs

The Dallas  bus travels north from Austin on IH-35.  The bus makes a restroom stop  in
Robinson, Texas and continues to Bear Creek then on to Balch  Springs.

Bear Creek-

Bear Creek – Highway exit
Take exit 412 / Bear Creek from IH-35 East. Go west on Bear Creek. Go past the Shell / Whataburger a quarter mile to the meeting place.

Meeting place
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) – Glenn Heights Park & Ride # 206
Address: 1200 E. Bear Creek Rd. at 1700 Gateway Blvd., Red Oak, Texas
75154.

Please park in the automobile parking section only—not in the bus-loading zone.

Balch Springs -

Balch Springs – Highway exit
From IH-635 take exit 1 B / Elam Rd. (5600 IH-635 and 12100 Elam Rd.), Balch Springs, Texas. From the access road--go west on Elam Rd. (If traveling south on IH-635, take a right on Elam Rd. If traveling north on IH-635 take a left on Elam Rd.)

Meeting place
Once on Elam Rd., get in the right-hand lane; turn right on Glenshire Dr. Follow this past the Grandy’s and McDonald’s and around the right side of the Home Depot. Park your car in the automobile parking spaces across from Home Depot’s Nursery / Garden Center. Address: Home Depot #555, 12005 Elam Rd., Balch Springs, TX 75180.
 

Weekends Home Route Information for Fort Worth

Fort Worth Route: Austin - Belton - Waco - Ft. Worth

The Ft. Worth bus travels north from Austin on IH-35 to Belton, Waco, then Fort Worth.

Belton

Take IH-35 to 6th Avenue. Exit in Belton. Meet in the McDonald's parking lot. 1601East 6th Avenue.

Waco Stop

Waco Stop
McDonalds
4503 I-35 North
Waco, Tx

Ft. Worth

(1) From I-35 exit 1-20 West.
(2) Go about two and a half to three miles and
(3) take Exit 433, S. Hulen St.
(4) Turn left at the light (S. Hulen St.);
(5) Get in the right-hand lane and turn right at the light on Overton Ridge at
Service Merchandise.
(6) Turn right at Sears -- meet the bus at the back end corner of the Sears parking lot at Hulen Mall (4800 S. Hulen St.).

Weekends Home Route Information for Bracketville

Brackettville Route: Austin - San Marcos - San Antonio

The San Antonio bus travels south on IH-35 to San Antonio.

San Antonio Stop

San Antonio--Take IH-35 south to the Walzem exit. Turn left into the middle lane under IH-35 bridge. Turn right into Windsor Park Mall where you will see the mall sign that reads "Windsor Park Mall Santikos Theaters." Meet at this sign. Appleby's restaurant will be directly across from you.
 

Weekends Home Route Information for College Station

Bryan Route: Austin - Lincoln - Bryan

Bryan travels east on 290 then 21 toward Bryan.

Lincoln Stop

Chevron Station South of Lincoln on 1624 and Hwy 21.

2909 Highway 21 W
Lincoln Texas

Bryan stop

Starbucks
601 E Villa Maria Road, Bryan, TX
(979) 821-2420

Weekends Home Route Information for Abilene

Abilene Route : Austin – Liberty Hill – Brady – Abilene

Abilene – The Abilene route travels from Austin to Liberty Hill to Brady and on to Abilene.

Sam's Quickie Pick at 29 N Highway 183, Liberty Hill, TX

Brady Stop

Shell Station across from the Wal-Mart Brady, TX

Abilene Stop

Burger King at 1633 Antilley Rd. in Abilene