Transportation & Directions

All school rules apply to student transportation. In addition, bus riders should:

• cooperate with directions given by adults and engage in behavior that is not distracting to the driver or others,
• remain seated in assigned seat, facing forward while on the bus; and keep all hands, feet, and personal items inside the bus (e.g., no arms, heads, hands out of the window),
• be ready to board the bus 5 minutes before the scheduled arrival time,
• get off and an at their scheduled stop,
• wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before exiting, and only cross a street or road when the driver signals that it is safe to do so,
• use appropriate language and indoor voices,
• use lap/shoulder belts if available, and
• keep windows and exit doors closed unless directed to open by the driver, or in an emergency.

DRIVER AUTHORITY
The school bus driver has the same authority on the bus as the teacher in the classroom. If a student’s conduct, while a passenger on a bus, is such that bus rules are violated and the student refuses to cease when requested by the bus driver, bus transportation will be denied. Riding a bus is a privilege that can be taken away if bus rules are not followed.

BUS DRILLS & SAFETY
The school district will conduct school bus safe riding practices instruction and emergency safety drills at least twice during the school year, once in the fall and once in the spring, for students who utilize school district transportation. Fire and tornado drills are each conducted regularly during the academic school year with a minimum of two before December 31 and two after January 1.

Each school bus vehicle will have, in addition to the regular emergency safety drill, a plan for helping those students who require special assistance to safety during an emergency. This will include, but not be limited to, students with disabilities.

Employees are responsible for instructing the proper techniques to be followed during an emergency, as well as safe riding practices.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

To insure the safety of all riders and drivers, please adhere to the following procedures:

• – All students using school district transportation are expected to cooperate with drivers’ and/or staff members’ directions the first time given and should not engage in behavior that is distracting to the driver or others.
  – Students should remain seated, facing forward at all times on the bus; and keep all hands, feet and personal items inside the bus (e.g. no arms, heads, hands out of the window).
  – Bus stop times are approximate and subject to change without notice. Make certain riders are curbside and ready 5 minutes before the scheduled arrival time.
  – Parents/guardians should supervise students at bus stops before and after school.
• – Riders may only get on and off the bus at their scheduled bus stop.
• – Before standing up to exit, the riders must wait until the bus comes to a complete stop.
• – When students must cross a road/street to get on the bus or when leaving the bus, they are required to wait for the driver’s hand signal before crossing the road.
• – Lap/Shoulder belts available on district buses will be used when the vehicle is in any non-stationary gear. Policy 711.10
• – Except in an emergency situation, riders must not open the emergency exits, doors or windows.
• – All students are expected to use appropriate language and talk at a classroom level (e.g. no profanity, hand gestures, yelling, screaming or distracting noises).
• – Advise child(ren) “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”.
• – No skateboards, snow sleds, trading cards, etc.
• – It is recommended that parents/guardians transport large projects or instruments (e.g. show and tell, science or displays, drums or cello, etc…).
• – Personal music is allowed, however headphones and/or earbuds must be used to limit distractions to the driver.
• – Parents/guardians have the responsibility to make their child(ren) aware that with food and beverage privileges, riders are required to dispose of all beverage containers, candy wrappers and trash in a responsible manner. Good housekeeping must be maintained on all district school buses. See Bus Rider Rules: Reasonable restrictions.
• – Discipline referrals (bus write-ups) accumulate for the entire year. The referrals are not removed when a new semester begins within that school year. 3 referrals and the student will be removed from the bus at the Director’s discretion.
• – Riders feeling ill should not ride the bus.
• – Friends of bus riders may not ride the bus if they are not eligible for transportation.
• – Eligible friends of bus riders may ride with a signed note from parents/guardians after principal/designee signs notes to be presented to the bus driver.
• – Discuss family obligation to pay for vandalism to the bus or school vehicle.