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Bus Safety Program

The following information applies to all students utilizing bus services. This includes daily riders, occasional riders and field trip participants. Bus evacuation drills will be scheduled during the school day for the participation of all students.

	BUS RULES
	Everyone has an assigned seat. No switching! Do not eat or drink on the bus! Keep all parts of your body inside the bus (including your hands!) Keep your hands and feet to yourself! Do not distract the bus driver! Keep backs and bottoms on the seat at all times! Keep body parts and personal items out of the aisle! NO talking at the railroad crossings! Avoid loud talking or yelling! No gum, toys or electronics allowed!
Serious misbehavior on the bus will be immediately referred to the office. Consequences may include suspension / expulsion of riding privilege.

Arriving at pickup point:

Be on time. Leave home in good time so that you will arrive at the pickup point before the school bus.
If you have to walk along the road to reach the bus stop, walk on the left side facing oncoming traffic.
Walk on the shoulder of the road where possible, and not on the traveled portion.
If other students are waiting at the bus stop, get in line without pushing or crowding and stay off the roadway.

Board the bus:

Line up in single file parallel to the roadway, with younger students in front, so they can board first.
Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before attempting to get on board.
Board the bus quickly but without crowding or pushing.
Never run on the bus, as the steps or floor may be slippery, especially in wintertime. Place your foot squarely on the step, not on the edge, and use the handrail.
Be particularly careful if you are carrying books or parcels, as it is difficult to see the steps and to hold the handrail.
Go directly to your seat and sit straight, well to the back of the seat, and face the front of the bus.

Conduct on the bus:

The bus will not move until all passengers are seated. Remain seated throughout the trip, and leave your seat only when the bus has reached its destination and comes to a complete stop.
Keep your books and parcels on your lap or put them under the seat.
Keep the aisle clear.
Do not talk to the driver except in case of emergency.
Avoid doing anything that might disturb or interfere with the driver. Refrain from loud or boisterous talking or yelling.
Never stick hands, arms, head or feet out of the windows of the bus.
Do not open windows without the driver’s permission.
Do not throw anything within the bus or out of a window; you might injure a pedestrian or force a motorist to make a dangerous maneuver.
Do not touch the emergency door or exit controls or any of the bus safety equipment.
Do not discard refuse in the bus.
No eating or drinking on the bus.
Obey promptly the directions and instructions of the school bus driver.

Prohibited items:

No live pets or Glass items allowed on the bus.
Tobacco is not allowed in a school bus.
Alcoholic beverages shall not be carried in a school bus.
No weapon, explosive device, harmful drug, or chemical shall be transported in a school bus.

Exit from the bus:

Remain seated until the bus has reached its destination and comes to a complete stop.
Do not push or crowd when leaving the bus.

Crossing the highway:

If you must cross the road, walk to a point about ten feet in front of bus but do not cross until you can see that the driver has indicated that it is safe to do so.
As you cross the road, look continuously to the right and left. At an intersection, look in all directions.
Cross at right angles. Never cross the highway diagonally.
Walk briskly across the road, but do not run.
Never cross the road behind the bus.

Accident or other emergency:

In case of an accident or emergency, older students should help the driver to maintain order and assist younger students.
Stay in the bus unless otherwise directed by the driver.
If you have to leave the bus, stay in a group and obey the driver’s instructions.
Do not expose yourself or others to needless hazard.

Procedures followed upon student misbehavior on school bus:

When a student misbehaves on a bus for the first time the driver will explain to the offender the necessity for good behavior.
If, after talks and warning, the rider continues to violate the rules, the driver will inform the student that the rule violation will be reported to the principal. This report will include the use of a written form that lists the offense and the action taken by the principal.
Upon receiving the complaint and discussing it with the driver, the principal will then call the student to the office and warn the student that the parents must be notified that the student will be put off the bus if misbehavior reoccurs.
If poor conduct continues, the driver will again report the incident to the principal. After discussion, it will be decided whether to take the bus-riding privilege away from the student, and, if so, for how long.
When a student is not allowed transportation by school bus, the principal will inform the parents of the penalty, the reason for it, and how long the penalty will last. In such cases, the parents become responsible for seeing that their child gets to and from school safely.
A student who is put off one bus will be refused transportation by all drivers for the specified period of time.