Guidelines
Rules
Be at stops in advance (we suggest 5 minutes to be safe). Sometimes we are late, and for this we apologize for in advance; but generally speaking, we are very timely.
It is not the school district’s responsibility to monitor discipline at a bus stop.
Seating assignments will be the rule for all buses.
Lap Shoulder Belts must be worn if equipped.
Stand in a line at least ten feet from the bus when loading. No pushing or shoving to get on or off a bus and always let younger children on the bus first.
Do not play at the bus stop and watch traffic at all times.
Once you have exited the bus, move away from the bus as quickly as possible.
Students must be seated before the bus is in motion and must remain seated for the duration of the route.
Keep all heads, arms and elbows inside the bus and absolutely no throwing of objects either inside the bus or out of the bus.
Keep the aisle clear of objects such as backpacks, purses or band instruments.
Cell phones may be used, but when they become a distraction to the driver or others on the bus, they must be put away or risk being taken up (to be returned to the parent).
Talk in classroom type tones – No screaming or yelling. This is very distracting to a driver. Silence is critical in the time of an emergency.
Students are subject to all rules and regulations regarding the Student Code of Conduct while on the bus (refer to your student handbook).
Only drinking water on the bus is permitted unless the privilege is abused. The driver will determine when this privilege is abused.
Damage to the interior of the bus will result in disciplinary action as well as the parent’s responsibility to pay restitution.
Students are not allowed to ride the bus home with a friend without written permission from the parents and prior approval from a campus administrator. Do not wait until boarding a bus for permission. It will be denied immediately.
Safety
The bus driver and others cannot see you if you are standing closer than 10 feet to the bus
STAY out of the DANGER ZONES!
If something falls under or near the bus, tell the driver. NEVER try to pick it up yourself!
While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street
When you get on or off the bus, look for the bus safety lights and make sure they are flashing before proceeding
Be alert to traffic. Before you get on or off the bus, look left, right, left before you enter or cross the street
When the driver says it is safe to cross the street, remember to CROSS IN FRONT of the bus
Stay in your seat and sit quietly so that the driver is not distracted
Some school buses now have seat belts, if you have seat belts on your school bus, be sure to learn to use the seat belt correctly
School buses are the safest form of highway transportation
The most dangerous part of the school bus ride is getting on and off the bus
Pedestrian fatalities (while loading and unloading school buses) account for approximately three times as many school bus-related fatalities when compared to school bus occupant fatalities
The loading and unloading area is called the "Danger Zone"
The "DANGER ZONE" is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of not being seen by the driver (ten feet in front of the bus where the driver may be too high to see a child, ten feet on either side of the bus where a child may be in the driver's blind spot, and behind the bus)
Road Crossing Safety
When boarding follow the 10-foot rule:
Stay on your side of the road, far away from the traffic.
Wait for the bus to stop and for your driver's signal to cross;
Check traffic both ways, then check again;
Cross by walking directly across, check traffic both ways; and
Walk approximately 10 feet ahead of the bumper, and board the bus quickly.
When exiting:
Walk along the side of the road until you can see your driver.
Stop and wait for the signal to cross.
Walk/Look for traffic in both directions, crossing the road quickly after all vehicles have stopped.