Bus Rules

General Safety Rules

1. Obey the instructions of the driver

2. Board and leave the bus at designated stops only.

3. Only students who are eligible to ride may be transported. Any changes in daily routine of riding the bus must be arranged through the principal with details stated in writing and given to the bus driver.

4. DO NOT ask to ride home on another bus with a friend.

5. Ride only the bus to which you are assigned.

6. After 3 days with no ride and no call, a.m. or p.m., drivers will not stop until we get a phone call saying you are returning to transportation.

Procedures for Waiting for the Bus  

1. Supervision at bus stops is parent's responsibility.

2. Be at your bus stop five (5) minutes before scheduled pick-up time. Driver will not wait or honk.

3. Stand on the sidewalk or back from the roadway while waiting for the bus.

4. When the bus approaches, form a line and be prepared to load immediately.

5. Stand clear of the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the door opens.

6. If you miss the bus, go home immediately.

7. Parents should instruct their children on what procedures to follow if the bus is missed.

8. PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL IF A CHILD MISSES THE BUS.

Loading the Bus

1. Do not push or shove.

2. Use the handrail and steps.

3. Go to your seat. The bus will not move until all students are seated.

4. THE BUS DRIVER HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ASSIGN SEATS.

5. After boarding the bus, the student is not to get off except at the school.

 

Conduct on the Bus

1. Do not change seats.

2. Remain seated while the bus is moving.

3. Normal conversation is permitted; any loud noise may distract the driver and create an unsafe condition.

4. Use of profane or vulgar language or obscene gestures is not permitted.

5. Arms, head, and other parts of the body are to be kept inside the bus.

6. Do not throw objects inside, or out of, the bus.

7. Do not mark, cut, or scratch any part of the bus. Vandalism costs will be paid by the person who is responsible.

8. The emergency door and exit controls should be used by pupils only during supervised drills or actual emergencies.

9. Rude or discourteous behavior will not be tolerated.

10. A student shall not refuse to sit in an assigned seat or deny another student a place to sit.

11. Scuffling or fighting is forbidden.

12. Students shall never attempt to operate the passenger door or other driver controls except in cases of extreme emergency.

13. Students must remain seated at all times. For safety reasons, students are not considered seated when they are not facing the front or sitting on anything, including legs, books, etc.

14. Students must keep books, packages, coats, and all other objects out of the aisles.

 

 

DEPARTURE

1. PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION HOME FROM SCHOOL IF A CHILD MISSES THE BUS.

2. Parents should instruct their children on what procedures to follow if the bus is missed.

3. After boarding the bus, the student is not to get off except at his home bus stop. 

4. Preschoolers and kindergartners will not be let off the bus at their designated stop unless there is a responsible, authorized person to receive them. In the event no one is there, they will be returned to their school, providing staff is present.  Otherwise, they will be taken to the police department.

Getting Off the Bus

1. Stay seated until the bus is completely stopped.

2. Use the handrail and take one step at a time when leaving the bus.  

3. Wait for your turn to leave the bus.

4. You must have a signed note from the principal's office to get off at a bus stop other than your own. Give the note to the driver when boarding the bus.

5. Stay clear of the bus when the engine is started. Do not chase or hang on to the bus.

6. If any article drops or rolls near, or under the bus, do not go after it. Go to the door and ask the driver for help.

Crossing the Street or Highway

1. All students living on the left side of the roadway shall exit the bus and move to a point 10 to 12 feet in front of the right bumper and wait for the driver to signal you that it is safe to cross.

2. Check in both directions and walk directly across the road.

3. NEVER CROSS THE ROAD BEHIND THE BUS.

4. CAUTION: Be alert for vehicles that do not stop when the bus is loading or unloading students.

5. Cross all streets at intersections when possible. Obey all traffic signals and signs on your way home.  

Prohibited Items 
1. Tobacco

2. Live animals or insects

3. Glass containers

4. Alcoholic beverages

5. Weapons, explosive devices, harmful drugs, or chemicals

6. Lighted matches or cigarette lighters

7. Any object (musical instrument, shop projects, etc.) too large to be held on the lap of the student.

8. Food or drinks

9. Electronics, toys or cards

10. Any item that might distract the driver or cause a disruption on the bus.

Accidents or Emergencies

1. Follow the driver's instructions.

2. If you must leave the bus, stay in a group.

3. The following procedures will be used for evacuation in an emergency situation:

a.       The student nearest the door will open the door and hold it open.

b.       Leave the bus in a single file as quietly as possible.

c.       Evacuation will start with the seat closest to the door.

d.       Follow the driver's instructions completely.

 

Extra-Curricular Trips

1. Bus rider rules apply to all school sponsored events.

2. Discipline will be the responsibility of the building principal and the trip sponsor.

3. Strict loading and unloading time schedules will be followed.

4. The bus must return clean from the trip.

 

 

Discipline Procedures

On any problem that might arise, an attempt will be made to solve it between the driver and the student. If such an action fails, the student will be written up by the driver.  The Bus Incident Report will be turned over to the transportation director for appropriate action.  A copy of the written report will be sent to the principal's office for review.

1. The first incident report on your child may warrant a conference with school administrator, review of bus rules, and a verbal warning.

2. The second incident report may warrant a conference with school administrator, parent notification of second offense, and a 1 to 3 day suspension from the bus.

3. The third incident report could warrant a conference with school administrator, parent notification of third offense, and a 5 to10-day suspension from the bus.

4. The fourth offense could result in a conference with school administrator, parent notification of fourth offense, and suspended from riding the bus for the remainder of the school year.

The bus stop and the school bus are considered an extension of the classroom.  All students are expected to respect the rights of residents, property and fellow students.  Misbehavior will be subject to disciplinary consequences.

Video equipment may be used on school transportation vehicles.

The school administrator has the authority to skip levels of discipline for major infractions.  Any infraction of bus rules that could possibly endanger the lives of the students or cause a bus accident will result in the immediate removal of riding privileges.