Christianson Bus Service Inc.

Contact us

Landline: 218-863-7000
Fax: 218-863-7001
Text: 218-234-2142
Email: busguy@christiansonbus.com
Snailmail: PO Box 362, 56572
Office: 25 12th Ave SW, Pelican Rapids, MN 56572
Operations Manager: Paul Restad

Driver work roster

2012-2013 Drivers, Bus numbers, areas covered

2 Stan Zierke – Norwegian Grove Twp, 3rd St NW, PR Trailer Court-4th Ave NW
3 Joe Seifert-Brady Ballard - Co Hwys 28-21, PR Trailer Court-4th Ave NW, 2nd St NW
5 Bill Moberg – East Lake Lida, Co Hwy 3, 1st St SW
6 Peter Westby – Erhard Hills, Co Hwys 3-24, 10th Ave SW, Old Fergus Rd
7 Lori Tabery – Around Lake Franklin, Co Hwy 4, 210th Ave

10 Mark Grefsrud – Star Lake, 108 East, River Road
15 Tanner Gray - Around Erhard, 59S
1 Melissa Erickson–  Co Hwys 31,20; Dunn Twp, Sand Lake, 59N, 5th Ave NE, 3rd St NE
9 Julie Tunheim – Scambler Twp, Tamarac, Co Hwy 9, PR Trailer Court-1st St & 4 1/2 Ave NW
Substitute Drivers 2012-2013
Joseph Hilber, Ross Seifert, Thom Thysell, Orland Ohe, John Gorton

Red lights flashing?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How far must children live from school before the school district is
required to transport them?
A. Generally, children must live two miles or more from their assigned school before a school district is required to transport them to and from school. It is a local school board decision on whether to transport children who live less than two miles. Because of the many unique programs and situations that may exist, it is
recommended that parents contact their local school district to obtain information
on the transportation services that may be available.

Q. Must a school district transport children who live less than two miles
from school if there is a hazard between the home and the school?
A. No. A school district may transport children who would encounter an extraordinary
traffic, drug or crime hazard if they walked, but the school district is not required to provide transportation.

Q. Who determines what conditions are extraordinary traffic, drug or crime
hazards?
A. The school district would determine what conditions would be considered
hazardous.

Q. How does a district measure the distance between a child’s home and the
school?
A. The walking distance is measured on public roadways or walkways using the most
direct, safe route. There is nothing in state law or rule that specifies at what point the measurement must start and end. Each school district should have a method
on how the measurement is made for the schools within its district.

Q. How far can a school district require a child to walk to a bus stop?
A. There is nothing in law or rule about the distance between the child’s home and the bus stop. This is true for all age and grade levels. Local school districts may adopt a maximum distance in their school boards’ transportation policy.

Q. Is there a law or rule that limits the amount of time a child can spend on
the school bus?
A. There is nothing in state law or rule that sets a maximum amount of time a child
can spend on the school bus. Local school districts may adopt a maximum time in
their school boards’ transportation policy.

Q. Can my child lose his/her bus riding privileges?
A. Yes. In Minnesota, riding a school bus is a privilege and not a right. Each local
school district has adopted rules of conduct for waiting at the bus stop and for
riding the school bus. If your child does not follow the rules, your child could lose
his/her bus riding privileges for the entire school year.

Q. Will my child receive school bus safety training at school?
A. Yes. Children in grades kindergarten through tenth must receive school bus safety
training during the first few weeks of school. It is recommended that parents
review the school bus safety rules with younger children throughout the school
year.

Q. Are there any laws and rules that limit the passenger seating on a school
bus?
A. Yes. The number of children on the school bus cannot be more than the number of
passengers that can be fully seated. The seating capacity must be adjusted
according to each passenger’s individual physical size but cannot be more than the
manufacturer’s rated seating capacity for the bus. No child is allowed to stand while
the bus is in motion.
Looking for School Bus Drivers: substitute route drivers, afternoon and evening trip drivers. Christianson Bus Service, 25 12th Ave SW, Pelican Rapids, 218 863-7000, busguy@christiansonbus.com

SCHOOL CLOSINGS, 2 HOUR DELAYS, EARLY DISMISSALS If bad weather forces us to start school late (we use 2 hour late starts only, never a one hour delay), go home early or cancel school for the day you can get this information several ways. We notify the following stations: TV: KXJB Channel 4; WDAY Channel 6; KVLY Channel 11. RADIO (FM) KBOT 104.1; KLTA 105.1; KVOX 99.9; KZCR 103.3; KJJK 96.5; KFGX 95.1; WDAY 93.7; KQWB 98.7; KFGO 101.9; (AM) KFGO 790; WDAY 970;KDLM 1200; KVOX 1280; KBRF 1250. We attempt to decide by 6:00 a.m. If you’re in doubt you can call us at 863-7000, even after hours we have the answering machine on. We leave the latest announcements on the machine.

We will also post closing or delay announcements to this site as soon as possible.
Independent School District 548
Click on the map to enlarge

Below are the school bus rules adopted by the Pelican Rapids School Board. These are posted on each bus. Riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right. It can be taken away from students who do not obey the rules:

SCHOOL BUS RULES
1)
Immediately follow the directions of the driver.
2)
Sit in your seat facing forward.
3)
Talk quietly using appropriate language
4)
Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.
5)
Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.
6)
No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay
7)
Do not throw any object.
8)
No use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
9)
Do not bring any weapon or dangerous object on the bus.
10)
Do not damage the bus.
11)
Eating/drinking on the bus only with the driver’s permission.

CONSEQUENCES

1st Offense: Written warning to Parents/Principal
2nd Offense: 3 day riding suspension
3rd Offense: 5 day riding suspension
4th Offense: 10 day riding suspension and meeting with parents/guardians

MAKE THE RIDE A SAFE ONE!

All students are given classroom school bus safety instruction the first three weeks of school. They must demonstrate competency to their teachers. You can help by asking your child to:

AT THE BUS STOP:

Arrive five minutes early. Wear appropriate clothing. Stay back from the highway or street. If your child can reach out and touch the bus they are too close. Remind your child of the ten foot danger zone around the bus. Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching. Be respectful of others and their property. The same bus behavior is expected of your child as is expected in the classroom.

ON THE BUS:

Follow the posted bus rules without question. The Bus Driver is in charge of the bus. Obey their instructions the first time. Your safety depends on it.