Bus Transportation

Bus Notes

A written note by a parent/guardian is needed to allow students to get off his/her bus at a different stop. Because of potential overcrowding on school buses, the school system discourages students from riding buses other than their own assigned bus. Student notes will be sent to the office in the morning to be approved by the principal or his designee.

Bus Behavior

It is imperative that children conduct themselves properly on school buses to promote safety and prevent accidents. The following regulations must be observed:

• Strict obedience to the bus driver
• Obedience to State Bus Law – Do not put head out of window.
• Do not extend hand or arm out of window.
• Children must ride assigned bus each day and should get on and off the bus at the assigned stop.
• Pupils waiting to board the bus must line up and enter the bus in an orderly manner.
• Saving seats on the bus is not permitted. Children must sit in the seat assigned by the bus driver.
• Children must be seated while the bus is in motion and remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
• Loud talking, singing, and unusual and unnecessary noises are forbidden.
• Throwing of any article is forbidden.
• Scuffling, pushing, hitting, or any unnecessary noises are forbidden.
• Children may not chew gum or eat on the bus. No food or drink of any kind is to be opened while on the bus.
• The driver is responsible for reporting misbehavior to the principal.
• Glass containers should not be brought on the bus as they present a safety hazard. Balloons and flowers from a florist shop will not be allowed for the same reason.

Students who frequently misbehave on the school bus may have their bus riding privileges suspended if they do not respond appropriately to warnings of the driver and/or principal. Written referral of students by bus drivers will be handled as follows:

• 1st referral – Principal will discuss the problem with the student and appropriate disciplinary action taken if necessary.
• 2nd referral – Principal may request that a parent come to the school to discuss problems with his/her son/daughter if needed. Appropriate disciplinary action may be taken to correct the problem.
• 3rd referral – Student’s bus riding privileges may be suspended on a temporary basis (3-10 days), depending on the severity of the problem.
• 4th referral – Student’s bus riding privileges may be suspended for a long-term basis or permanently, if needed.

  During Inclement Weather

  
  It is normal operating procedure to follow specified bus routes, observing each designated stop each school day unless, in the opinion of the bus driver, certain street conditions will not permit safe bus travel. Should drivers determine that unsafe conditions are present, they have been instructed to use one of the following options to ensure the safe arrival home of all students, especially the small children.

• Have an older child walk the younger one home after securing the name, address, and telephone number of the older child and the name of the younger child being walked home.
• By-pass the particular street and finish the regular route. Then return to that street, park the empty bus in a safe place, and walk the child safely to his/her home.
• Take the child back to his/her home base school or to the transportation office.

Students Riding on Wrong Bus

Bus drivers have been instructed to bring students back to the school or to the transportation office if they find that a student has gotten on the wrong bus. If a student has failed to get off at his correct stop, the driver will attempt to go back to this stop if time permits.