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Bus Safety

Parent Expectation for School Bus Safety

October 12, 2016

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The safety of all students riding the bus to and from school is a responsibility we all share. Parents hold a key, vital role in ensuring school bus safety.  The information contained on this page is provided to give you the tools to help teach your child to be safe on the walk to and from the stop, at the stop, and on the bus.

Getting Ready for School

•  Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so they won't drop things along the way.
•  Encourage them to wear bright, contrasting colors so they will be more easily seen by drivers.
•  Ensure loose drawstrings, chains, or other dangling objects are removed from clothing, coats, and bags.
•  Make sure they leave home on time so they can walk to the bus stop an arrive before the bus is due, typically at least 5 minutes before. Running can be      dangerous.

Walking to the Bus Stop

• Walking your child to the bus stop is best or have children walk in groups,  there is safety in numbers; groups are easier for drivers to see.
• Practice good pedestrian behavior: walk on the sidewalk, and if there is no sidewalk, stay out of the street.
• If you must walk in the street, walk single file, face traffic and stay as close to the edge of the road as you can.
• Stop and look left, right, and then left again if you must cross the street. Do the same thing at driveways and alleys. Exaggerate your head turns and narrate your actions so you child knows you are looking left, right, and left.

At the Bus Stop

• Wait in a location where the driver can see you as they drive down the street. Never wait in a house or car.
• Do not play in the street. 
• Playing with balls or other toys that could roll into the street is dangerous.
• Arrive at the stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival.

Getting On and Off the Bus

• Warn children that if they drop something, they should never pick it up. Instead, they should tell the driver and follow the driver's instructions. If they bend over to pick up a dropped object, they might not be seen by the driver and could be hurt if the driver pulls away from the stop.
• Remind children to look to the right before they step off the bus.
• Teach your children to secure loose drawstrings and other objects that may get caught in the handrail or door of the bus as they are exiting.
• If you would like your child to get off at a stop other than the one assigned, please be aware that the driver isn't allowed to let a child off at another stop without written permission from the school.
• If you meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street. Children can be so excited by seeing you after school that they dash across the street and forget the safety rules.
• Have a backup plan in case you are not at home that includes:
  • How to get home in case you are not at the stop.
  • Teach your children what neighbor to go to if this happens.

Riding the Bus

• Children should talk quietly, be courteous to the driver, and follow the driver's instructions.
• Children should stay seated during the entire bus ride and keep the aisles clear.
• Students should sit on your seat, not on knees or backpack.
• Keep hands, feet and other items to yourself on the bus.
• No food/drinks/gum/candy on the bus.
• Make sure your student knows the danger zone.
• Know that the safest stop is the stop with an adult present.
• Students are expected to keep the bus clean and not purposely or carelessly destroy equipment.
• Damage resulting from misbehavior shall be paid by the student. Suspension from the bus will occur and continue until all damage is paid for.
• Courtesy toward other students and the bus driver is expected and no profanity or abusive language is allowed.
• Mobile electronic devices such as cell phones, iPads, Chromebooks are permitted to be used on the bus as long the user follows these expectations:
  • Must be in a backpack or other holder while boarding and departing the bus to keep hands free to use handrails.
  • Sound must be muted or the user must use headphones or earbuds.
  • Does not create a distraction for the drive.
  • No material in violation of District policy or procedure.
  • No sharing of content out side of the seat compartment they are in.

The above only applies to the school bus; each building has its own expectations for usage of mobile electronics. Please contact your school for their specific practice.

Any action that would create an environment contrary to the District's, School's and Transportation Department's missions will not be acceptable.  If the action crates an environment in which learning, safety and caring for others is not the primary focus, disciplinary action will result, including possible loss of bus service.  Students are expected to follow safe riding expectations listed above.