1. Be on time at the bus stop. Wait for the bus to come to a complete halt before trying to board and, if you must cross a road, wait for your driver to signal you across with his hand. Always cross at least 10-feet in front of the bus.
2. When necessary, there could be at least three persons in a seat, and the practice of saving seats for others students will not be allowed. STUDENTS MUST SIT FACING THE FRONT.
3. After boarding the bus, you must remain in your seat until the bus reaches your designated stop. Any alternate stops must be approved in advance with the transportation office. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE BUS STOP NEAREST THEIR HOME.
4. Any damage to bus fixtures, or equipment must be paid for by students responsible for the damages.
5. Keep the aisles clear of items, such as musical instrument, school projects, etc. If you must carry personal items on the bus with you, please hold them in your lap or store them under the seat. Flowers, balloons, and other party favors are not permitted on the bus.
6. At no time will a student put hands, head, or other parts of his body out the window. Students should not talk to others outside the bus. Don’t be loud or boisterous on the bus. Excessive noise can distract the driver and could result in a serious accident. Radios, CD and tape players, headsets and hand games are not allowed.
7. Absolute quiet at all railroad crossing.
8. Do not throw any objects inside or outside the bus. This could obstruct the view of an oncoming vehicle and result in an accident or cause the driver to have to stop suddenly, causing injury to passengers. This includes spitting.
9. Food or beverage may not be sold or consumed on the bus. Loose papers or food may cause a slipping hazard, or possible choking. This includes gum or candy.
10. The driver has the responsibility to correct any student on the bus for riding unsafely.
11. COURTESY TRANSPORTATION (RIDING AN ALTERNATE BUS FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES AS SCOUTS, OUTSIDE SCHOOL ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, MUSIC PRACTICE OR GOING TO VISIT OTHER STUDENTS) IS NOT PERMITTED. IN SPECIAL SITUATIONS PERMISSION TO RIDE AN ALTERNATE BUS MAY BE GIVEN. STUDENTS MUST HAVE SPECIAL PERMISSION (IN ADVANCE) FROM TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS IN ORDER TO RIDE AN ALTERNATE BUS. A LETTER MUST BE WRITTEN FOR PRE-APPROVAL, AND WILL BE KEPT ON FILE IN THE TRANSPORTATION OFFICE.
12. The Director of Transportation may deny any student bus transportation to and/or from school if they choose not to cooperate with the driver.
13. Fighting, harassment, intimidation, bullying, abusive language or gestures, failure to cooperate with school personnel, possession and/or use of drugs, alcohol, weapons, lasers, etc. are major violations that may result in automatic bus suspension or revocation of your riding privilege.
14. Any student(s) who observe(s) or are the victims of any harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying behavior should report any such incident(s) to the bus driver when it happens. If, for some reason, a student is not comfortable reporting such incident(s) on the bus, the student should make the report as soon as possible to his or her principal, assistant principal, counselor, or teacher.
1. The school bus is considered an extension of the classroom. The Transportation Department has the ultimate authority and responsibility for the discipline of all children riding buses.
2. It is the parents’ responsibility to discuss with the child the provisions of this contract and to work with the school administration.
3. The parent must assume responsibility for the behavior of the child while riding the bus. IF PERMISSION TO RIDE THE BUS IS REVOKED, THE PARENT MUST PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL FOR THE CHILD UNTIL SUCH TIME AS REINSTATEMENT MAY BE MADE. Bus suspension must be served in the consecutive days stated, even if it is an inconvenience to parents.
4. Drivers have the authority to enforce all bus rules. Students refusing to obey these rules will be reported to TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITIES and may lose bus-riding privileges.
5. Parent or guardian should keep this Bus Rider Safety pamphlet for reference throughout the school year.
6. Bus drivers must discuss this document and student Application for Transportation with students. Parents must insure they and their student(s) sign the Application for Transportation and return it to the bus driver.
DRIVER: For minor disruptive misbehavior, such as, not sitting properly, name-calling, eating on the bus, etc., the driver will follow these guidelines:
First Offense: Verbal warning.
Second Offense: Assign a different seat for a minimum of three (3) days, but not limited to three (3) days. (Bus drivers have the authority to assign seats to any or all students for any length of time for any reason.) Transportation Office will contact Parents when deemed necessary.
Third Offense: (Parent contacted by phone) A School Bus Unsafe Report will be submitted to the administrator for bus discipline. The administrator may conference with the student at school, then notify parent of the action taken. Student could forfeit bus-riding privilege for three days.
Fourth Offense: (Parents contacted by phone) Student will forfeit ride for five (5) days. Parent and Student must attend a conference with the Transportation Authority to reinstate riding privilege.
Fifth Offense: TERMINATION OF BUS RIDING PRIVILEGE.
A Student whose behavior is such that it directly jeopardizes the safe operation of the school bus, or directly challenges the authority of the driver, will lose their riding privilege without receiving previous warnings. Immediate loss of riding privilege will result from vandalism, fighting, abusive language or gestures directed toward school personnel, failure to cooperate with driver, possession and use of drugs, weapons, etc., throwing/spitting objects or any other actions that jeopardizes the safety of student passengers or school personnel.
A Student may be removed by a driver at the students school site when released to an administrator or duty teacher.
THE DISCIPLINE STEPS LISTED MAY BE ALTERED IF THE STUDENTS BEHAVIOR MERITS A MORE SEVERE DISCIPLINARY ACTION TO CORRECT THE BEHAVIOR. WHEN BUS RIDING PRIVILEGES ARE REMOVED FOR THE GIVEN NUMBER OF DAYS, THERE WILL BE NO FLEXIBILITY REGARDING THE CONSECUTIVE DAYS INVOLVED. IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A TIME SEPARATION BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND STUDENT. YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
If you have any questions, please contact Kenny Chamlee at 340-2962.
* If parents have additional questions or concerns about school bus transportation, they may contact the Transportation Center at 601 W. Campbell or call 340-2962.