2026-27 Back-to-School Transportation Guidelines: Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55 Provides Safety Reminders for Bus, Bike and Pedestrian Safety

 Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55, including Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, right, issued back-to-school safety guideliens for bus riders, bicyclists, motorists and those who walk to school. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

MATTAPOISETT — With the arrival of the 2026-27 school year, Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is reminding students, their families and the greater community about how to stay safe when traveling to and from school each day.

The Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55 is providing transportation safety guidelines for all of its students, their families and the entire school community.

“As we kick off a new school year, I want to remind everyone about the responsibility we have to ensure every student safely gets to school and back home safely each day,” said Superintendent Nelson. “This is the time for parents, guardians and students to review our safety guidelines.”

The school system asks parents and students to review the following safety recommendations provided by the National Safety Council (NSC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Bus riders:

• Students should arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus typically arrives.
• While waiting for the bus, students stand at least 10 feet — or at least five giant steps — away from the curb.
• Parents should accompany their child to the bus stop and make sure the child gets on the bus safely, waiting until the bus comes to a complete stop and the door opens before boarding.
• When necessary, students should cross the road in front of the bus, never behind it. Before crossing, the student should go 10 feet ahead of the bus, so the driver can always see them.
• If a student drops something near or under the school bus, like a phone or book, they and their parents should alert the bus driver right away. Do not immediately try to pick up the item. Allow the bus driver to recognize the situation and provide clearance to safely retrieve the item.

View the complete bus route schedule for Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester here.

Walkers:

• Students should always use the sidewalk, if one is available. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
• Students must stop before crossing streets, looking left, right, then left again, until it is safe to cross.
• When crossing a street in front of a vehicle that has stopped, students should try to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the road.
• Students should always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.
• Students should never text or wear earbuds or use electronic devices while crossing streets.

Bicyclists:

• Students riding a bicycle to school should travel with the flow of traffic, in single file, on the right side of the road.
• Before crossing a street on a bicycle, students should come to a complete stop and then walk their bike across.
• Students should always stay alert and avoid distractions while riding, including their phone and headphones.
• Students should wear bright or reflective clothing so drivers can see them more clearly.
• Everyone riding a bicycle should always be wearing a helmet, regardless of the ride’s length.
• Bicyclists should use hand signals when turning and make eye contact with drivers whenever possible. Aside from using hand signals, always keep both hands on the handlebars.

For additional safety tips and recommendations for riding a bicycle to school, go to MassBike for a full rundown.

E-bike riders:

• Students should only use motorized bicycles that are legal, such as an e-bike, defined as a bicycle or tricycle that is equipped with fully operational pedals and an electric motor of 750 watts or less. The motor can only power the e-bike up to 20 miles per hour. More powerful motorized bikes require registration and a driver’s license or learner’s permit.
• When riding an e-bike, student should always wear a helmet.
• E-bike riders should use front and rear lights even during the day, while also wearing bright or reflective clothing.
• E-bike riders are not permitted on sidewalks, highways, or natural trails that are meant for non-motorized traffic.
• Students should only operate e-bikes on roads and designated bike lanes, following the same rules of the road as bicycles, including the requirement to ride in the same direction as traffic, moving in single file, on the right side of the road.
• Students riding e-bikes should always obey stop signs, red lights and lane markings.
• The same regular bicyclists, e-bike riders should use hand signals when turning and also make eye contact with drivers whenever possible. Aside from using hand signals, students should always keep both hands on the handlebars.

Parents driving students: 

• Follow the posted speed limit, especially the reduced speed limits within designated school zones.
• Never pass a bus if it is stopped to load or unload children. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. Stop when the lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
• Watch for students crossing the street and make eye contact with them before proceeding.
• Avoid double parking because it blocks visibility for other drivers.
• Never block crosswalks.

Other drivers on the road:

• Never pass a bus if it is stopped to load or unload children. It is illegal.
• Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn. This forces pedestrians to go around the vehicle, which could put them in the path of moving traffic and blocks visibility.
• Always stop and yield to pedestrians in school zones, and at crosswalks when lights are flashing. And always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign.
• Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas.
• Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians.
• When following a bus, maintain extra distance. In Massachusetts, drivers must maintain a distance of at least 100 feet behind a school bus while it is in motion
• Remember that the 10-foot area around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. Give them space to enter and exit safely.
• Leave at least three feet when passing a bicyclist. Children may turn suddenly without warning.
• Watch out for bicyclists and e-bike riders turning in front of a vehicle without looking or signaling.
• Be alert for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars.

As always with school transportation, if there’s any emergency, call 911 immediately.

“Let’s make the 2026-27 school year a safe one for the whole Old Rochester Regional community,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Whether you’re a student, a parent or guardian, a driver, a bicyclist, or a neighbor, we all play a crucial role in keeping our students safe during their school commute. Thank you all in advance for your cooperation.”

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, of the Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55, shared back-to-school safety tips for students who take the bus to school, along with bicyclists, pedestrians, e-bike riders. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)