Strategic Services

The Communication & Transportation Office provides a number of strategic services to the school system such as:

• Preparing and publishing all system communications
• Maintaining and developing relationships with the media
• Conducting promotional strategies 
• Serving as community liaison
• Planning system events
• Ensuring the operation of a safe and efficient transportation program

If you need assistance with information about Bristol Tennessee City Schools or if you are a member of the media and you wish to obtain materials for stories, please contact us.

Media Guidlines

Bristol Tennessee City Schools will work cooperatively with the news media for coverage of school system events, questionable issues, crisis, and general news. Please respect the following BTCS media guidelines that will ensure the integrity of our instructional day and allow us to provide consistent, accurate information to our media representative and to the public. All media inquiries should be directed to the BTCS Communication Director.

The following guidelines are in effect at all BTCS facilities: 

• The BTCS Communication Director should be contacted when a representative of the media visits a facility. If the media visits a facility without prior approval, he or she should be asked to leave and sent to the BTCS Communication office. The principal will be notified to coordinate an appropriate time and contact person for media visits.

• News reporters and/or photographers will not be allowed inside the facility unless the appropriate staff members have been notified and it is determined that such a visit will not be disruptive to the learning environment.    

• Photographs and video may be taken by the media at the discretion of the campus administrator or the communication office.    

• The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) must be followed at all times. Each campus has a list of students whose "directory information" (i.e. names, addresses, photos) cannot be released per the parent or guardian's request. 

• The Communication Director shall be the official spokesperson for BTCS.     

Transportation

The safety of your child is our #1 priority!

Bus Routes

Bus routes for each individual school are available at the bottom of your screen. To view a particular route, simply click on the file you want to view.

Bus Conduct

The school bus or any school vehicle is an extension of school activity; therefore, students shall conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for safety and classroom behavior.

(TCA 49-6-4102) Students are under the supervision and control of the bus driver or appropriate adult supervisor while on their bus, and all reasonable directions given by him/her shall be followed. The principal of the student transported shall be informed by the bus driver or appropriate supervisor of any serious discipline problem and may be called upon to assist if necessary.

A student may be denied the privilege of riding the bus if the principal determines that his/her behavior is such as to cause disruption on the bus, or if he/she disobeys state or local rules and regulations pertaining to student transportation. Due process will be provided to a student prior to removing the students' bus riding privileges.

Any student who gets off the bus at any point between the pick-up point and school must present the bus driver with a note of authorization from the parent or the principal of the school that the student attends.

Any student wishing to ride a bus other than his/her designated bus must have written parental permission and approval of the principal or his/her designee.

Students who transfer from bus to bus while en route to and from school shall be expected to abide by the discipline policies adopted by the Board and rules adopted by the staff of the terminal school.

Rules for Bus Conduct

Students shall conform to the following rules of bus behavior:

• Remain back from the roadway while awaiting the bus;
• Students shall not attempt to board the bus until the bus is fully stopped or leave their seats on the bus until their destination is reached;
• Keep hands, arms, and heads inside the bus;
• Articles such as athletic equipment, books, and musical instruments must be kept out of the aisles;
• The emergency door shall be used for emergencies only;
• Students are not permitted to open windows without the permission of the bus driver;
• Students are under the supervision of the bus driver, and all reasonable directions given by him/her shall be followed;
• Throwing objects in and out of the bus is prohibited;
• Lighting matches, spitting, littering, and use of tobacco are prohibited on the bus;
• Students shall refrain from rude, discourteous, and annoying conduct;
• Fighting, pushing, tripping, or scuffling types of behavior are prohibited on the bus;
• Wait for a signal from the bus driver before crossing the street at a bus stop. When crossing a street is necessary, students shall always go far enough ahead of the bus so they are able to see the face of the bus driver, and he may adequately observe them.

Cancellation of School

Cancellation of school takes place due to extreme weather conditions, equipment failure, public crisis, or other unforeseen emergencies. The Board of Education and administrators are aware of the hardship that can be caused by an abrupt cancellation. Therefore, school will not be cancelled unless a significant safety risk has been created by unusual circumstances.

Bristol Tennessee City Schools has established a School System Information Line to announce weather-related school closings and schedule modifications: 652-9554. The information line will be updated first, and then media services (radio, TV, Internet) will be contacted to announce changes in the school schedule. Please call this information line regarding weather related closings, rather than the school, since the school will also receive its information from this source. Please discuss with your child what he/she should do in case school is dismissed during normal school hours.

Contact information

If you need assistance with information about Bristol Tennessee City Schools, transportation services, or if you are a member of the media and you wish to obtain materials for stories, please contact 423-652-9237 or baileyt@btcs.org.

Business Hours 
Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. During the summer months our hours are Monday - Thursday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.