Elementary Transportation News

January 17, 2025

Dear Cutchogue East Families:

Student safety is always our top priority. With that in mind, effective Tuesday, January 21, 2025, all kindergarten through sixth grade students will be required to wear a seatbelt when riding the school bus.

This important safety measure is being put in place for several reasons:

• Seatbelts have been proven effective at reducing injuries in the event of a bus accident or hard braking.
• Having young children buckled into seatbelts increases overall bus safety by limiting movement and potential disruptions caused by unbuckled students standing or moving around the bus cabin.

This new requirement may take some adjustment. Our elementary staff will be teaching students about the importance of wearing seatbelts on the bus. Our bus drivers will be assisting in reminding students to stay buckled.

Please take some time to talk to your child about the importance of staying seated with the seatbelt always buckled during the bus ride to and from school. With your partnership, we can continue to ensure all our K-6 students form safe habits on the bus.

Thank you for your cooperation in prioritizing student safety. Please contact me should you have any questions.
 
Sincerely,
Shawn C. Petretti
Superintendent of Schools