TSBVI
2009 – 2010
Weekends Home Program
Table of Contents
QUESTIONS?
Contact:Anita Lewis
Weekends Home Coordinator
(512)206-9231 – Office
(512) 844-9362 – Cell
anitalewis@tsbvi.edu
If you have any questions about these dates,
Please call Anita Lewis, the weekends home coordinator,
at
512-206-9231.
- 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 Travel Dates
| Week |
Depart (Students Traveling Home) |
Return (Students Traveling to TSBVI) |
A/B/Closure |
| 1 |
August 28th - Friday |
August 30 – Sunday |
A |
| 2 |
September 4th -
Friday |
September 7th – Monday |
Closure |
| 3 |
September 11th -
Friday |
September 13th –
Sunday |
B |
| 4 |
September 18th -
Friday |
September 20th –
Sunday |
A |
| 5 |
September 25th –
Friday |
September 27th –
Sunday |
B |
| 6 |
October 2nd –
Friday |
October 4th –
Sunday |
A |
| 7 |
October 9th -
Friday |
October 11th -
Sunday |
B |
| 8 |
October
14th - Wednesday |
October 19th – Monday |
Closure |
| 9 |
October 23rd -
Friday |
October 25th –
Sunday |
A |
| 10 |
October 30th -
Friday |
November 1st –
Sunday |
B |
| 11 |
November 6th -
Friday |
November 8th –
Sunday |
A |
| 12 |
November 13th -
Friday |
November 15th –
Sunday |
B |
| 13 |
November 20th
– Friday |
November 29th - Sunday |
Closure |
| 14 |
December 4th -
Friday |
December 6th –
Sunday |
A |
| 15 |
December 11th -
Friday |
December 13th –
Sunday |
B |
| 16 |
December 17th -
Thursday |
January 4th
– Monday |
Closure |
| 17 |
January 8th -
Friday |
January 10th –
Sunday |
A |
| 18 |
January 15th -
Friday |
January 17th –
Sunday |
B |
| 19 |
January 22nd -
Friday |
January 24th –
Sunday |
A |
| 20 |
January 29th -
Friday |
January 31st –
Sunday |
B |
| 21 |
February 5th -
Friday |
February 7th –
Sunday |
A |
22 |
February 12th - Friday |
February 15th -
Monday |
Closure |
| 23 |
February 19th -
Friday |
February 21st –
Sunday |
B |
| 24 |
February 26th -
Friday |
February 28th -
Sunday |
A |
| 25 |
March 5th -
Friday |
March 7th –
Sunday |
B |
| 26 |
March 12th -
Friday |
March 21st -
Sunday |
Closure |
| 27 |
March 26th -
Friday |
March 28th –
Sunday |
A |
| 28 |
April 1st -
Thursday |
April 5th –
Monday |
Closure |
| 29 |
April 9th - Friday |
April 11th - Sunday |
B |
| 30 |
April 16th -
Friday |
April 18th –
Sunday |
A |
| 31 |
April 23rd -
Friday |
April 25th –
Sunday |
B |
| 32 |
April 30th -
Friday |
May 2nd –
Sunday |
A |
| 33 |
May 6th –
Thursday |
May 9th -
Sunday |
Closure |
| 34 |
May 14th -
Friday |
May 16th –
Sunday |
B |
| 35 |
May 21st -
Friday |
May 23rd –
Sunday |
A |
| 36 |
May 28th -
Friday |
May 30th –
Sunday |
B |
- How often does the Weekends Home Program
run?
- 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, San Marcos, College Station, Abilene, Eden,
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
Residential B
(512)
206-9115
Shelly Allen,
Residential
Director
Comprehensive
Residential A
(512)
206-9179
|
Also, if your child will not be returning
on Sunday, as soon as possible, please
notify:
Anita
Lewis, 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.
-
- 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.
**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
- Respect Others'
Rights. Students must respect the rights and
privileges of other students and Weekends Home
staff.
- Respect Others'
Property. Students must respect the property of
others.
- Cooperate with
Staff. Students must cooperate with or assist
the Weekends Home staff in maintaining safety, order, and
discipline.
- Seatbelts. Students are to remain
seated and buckled in their seats as long as the vehicle is
in route.
- 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.
- Headsets Required! All radios, CD players,
keyboards, electronic toys, etc. must be used with a
headset unless Weekends Home staff has given permission
otherwise.
- SHH! Students must keep all noise levels as
low as possible.
- 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.
- Glass Prohibited. Students may not bring glass
objects onto the vehicle unless they are stored in their
luggage.
- No Aerosols or
Sprays. Students may not bring aerosols or
sprays (such as perfumes, colognes, etc.) into the seating
area of the vehicle.
- 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 Trip Schedule
| Friday |
Sunday |
Dallas
- 2:45
p.m.
Depart TSBVI
- 6:30
p.m.
Arrive Bear Creek
- 6:45
p.m.
Leave Bear Creek
- 7:15
p.m.
Arrive Balch Springs
- 7:30
p.m.
Depart Balch Springs
- 11:30
p.m. Arrive TSBVI
|
Dallas
- 9:05
a.m.
Depart TSBVI
- 1:45
p.m.
Arrive Balch Springs
- 2:00
p.m.
Depart Balch Springs
- 2:30
p.m.
Arrive Bear Creek
- 2:45
p.m.
Depart Bear Creek
- 6:30
p.m.
Arrive TSBVI
|
Belton/Waco/ Ft. Worth
- 2:45
p.m.
Depart TSBVI
- 3:45
p.m.
Arrive Belton
- 4:00 p.m. Depart
Belton
- 4:45
p.m.
Arrive Waco
- 5:00
p.m.
Depart Waco
- 6:15
pm
Arrive Alvarado
- 6:25
pm
Depart Alvarado
- 6:45
p.m.
Arrive Ft. Worth
- 7:00 p.m.
Depart Ft. Worth
- 11:30
p.m.
Arrive TSBVI
|
Belton/Waco/ Ft. Worth
- 9:05
a.m.
Depart TSBVI
- 1:45
p.m.
Arrive Ft. Worth
- 2:00
p.m.
Depart Ft. Worth
- 2:30
p.m.
Arrive Alvarado
- 2:45
pm
Depart Alvarado
- 3:45 p.m.
Arrive Waco
- 4:00 pm
Depart Waco
- 4:45
p.m.
Arrive Belton
- 5:00
pm
Depart Belton
- 6:30
p.m.
Arrive TSBVI
|
Houston
- 2:45
p.m.
Depart TSBVI
- 4:00
p.m.
Arrive Columbus
- 4:30
p.m.
Leave Columbus
- 6:30
p.m.
Arrive Houston
- 7:00
p.m.
Leave Houston
- 11:30
p.m.
Arrive TSBVI
|
Houston
- 9:15
a.m.
Depart TSBVI
- 1:30
p.m.
Arrive Houston
- 1:45
p.m.
Leave Houston
- 3:00
p.m.
Arrive Columbus
- 3:30
p.m.
Leave Columbus
- 6:15
p.m.
Arrive TSBVI
|
San
Antonio
- 3:15
p.m.
Depart TSBVI
- 4:30
p.m.
Arrive San Marcos
- 4:40
p.m.
Depart San Marcos
- 5:30
p.m.
Arrive San Antonio
- 5:45
p.m.
Depart San Antonio
- 7:30
p.m.
Arrive TSBVI
|
San
Antonio
- 2:30
p.m.
Depart TSBVI
- 4:30
p.m.
Arrive San Antonio
- 4:45
p.m.
Depart San Antonio
- 5:30
p.m.
Arrive San Marcos
- 5:40
p.m.
Depart San Marcos
- 6:30
p.m.
Arrive TSBVI
|
Liberty
Hill/Brady/Eden/Abilene
- 1:30pm
Depart TSBVI
- 2:00pm Arrive
Liberty Hill
- 2:10pm Depart
Liberty Hill
- 4:10pm Arrive
Brady
- 4:30pm Depart
Brady
- 5:15pm Arrive
Eden
- 5:20pm Depart
Eden
- 7:00pm Arrive
Abilene
- 7:15pm Depart
Abilene
|
Abilene/Eden/Brady/Liberty
Hill
- 1:45pm
Arrive Abilene
- 2:00pm
Depart Abilene
- 3:40pm
Arrive Eden
- 3:45pm
Depart Eden
- 4:30pm
Arrive Brady
- 4:45pm
Departs
Brady
- 6:45pm
Arrive Liberty Hill
- 7:00pm
Depart Liberty Hill
- 7:00pm
Arrive TSBVI
|
College Station
- 2:45
pm Depart
TSBVI
- TBA
Lincoln
- 5:00pm
Arrive Bryan
- 5:10pm Leave
Bryan
- 5:20pm Arrive
College Station
- 5:30pm Leave
College Station
- 7:30pm
Arrive TSBVI
|
College Station
- 1:30pm Depart
TSBVI
- 3:45pm Arrive College
Station
- 4:00pm Depart College
Station
- 4:15pm Arrive
Bryan
- 4:30pm Depart
Bryan
- TBA
Lincoln
- 6:30pm Arrive
TSBVI
|
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 –
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.

Map of
Houston Lighthouse for the Blind location: 3602 West
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 –
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 –
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.

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. 1601 East 6th Avenue.
Waco
Take IH-35 to Loop 340 /
Lake Shore exit. Meet at the Shell parking lot on the
I-35 service road. The address is 1520 IH 35
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.).

San Antonio Route: Austin –
San Marcos – San Antonio
The San
Antonio bus travels south on IH-35 to San Marcos then San
Antonio.

San
Marcos
Friday: Dairy Queen, 1202 South IH-35 &
Guadalupe St.
Sunday: Whataburger, 1004 North Hwy.
123.

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.


College Station Route: Austin
– Lincoln – Bryan – College Station
The College Station van travels east on
290 then 21 toward College Station.

Chevron
Station South of Licoln on 1624 and Hwy
21.
2909 Highway 21 W

College
Station–
Stops in College Station – Citgo, 101 Southwest
Parkway

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

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

Shell Station across from the Wal-Mart
Brady, TX

US Highway 87 & Highway 83 in Eden,
Texas

Burger King at 1633 Antilley Rd. in
Abilene
