Policies & Procedures

• Items that could be hazardous are not allowed on the bus. These include skateboards, animals, glass objects, etc.

• Students will keep the bus clean and refrain from damaging it. By law, any damage caused by a student will be compensated for by the parents or legal guardian.

These policies and procedures are in place to better ensure a safe trip when waiting for, boarding, riding, and exiting the school bus:

Waiting for the School Bus

• Shorten or remove drawstrings or straps that can catch on the bus rail from clothing and backpacks.

• Arrive at the bus stop no less than 5 minutes early.

• Stay out of the street while waiting for the bus.

• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the driver motions for you to cross, before moving toward the school bus to board.

• If crossing the street, wait first for a hand signal from the driver. Walk at 12 feet in front of the school bus and always stay out of the 12 foot DANGER ZONE area around the bus.

• When boarding or exiting the bus, stay in a single file line and hold onto the handrail.

• Snowy weather and mechanical problems can cause delays. If the school bus does NOT show up within 10 minutes of the assigned pickup time students are to go home. Do NOT linger at the bus stop.

Safety on the School Bus

• Follow all bus rules while riding the bus.

• Stay seated while the bus is in motion, facing forward with legs in front of you and feet on floor.

• Nothing is to be thrown out of the window.

• Keep hands, arms and head inside the bus at all times.

• Keep aisles clear. Backpacks and other personal items should be placed on your lap.

• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before getting out of your seat to exit the school bus.

• Be courteous to the bus driver and other students.

• Keep your voice down. Shouting or yelling is distracting to the driver.

• Know where emergency exits are located and review evacuation procedures.

Exiting the School Bus

• Stay out of the 12 foot Danger Zone are around the school bus.

• Walk 12 large steps in front of the school bus so the driver can see you.

• Look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT to see the traffic before crossing the street.

• Make eye contact with the bus driver and wait for his or her signal before crossing in front of the bus.

• DO NOT pick up anything that falls under the bus. Tell the driver if you drop anything.

• Never walk behind the school bus.

Lost Items

• If your child leaves something on the bus, the bus driver will leave the item on the bus for a couple days. If the item is not recovered by then, the bus driver will bring it to the lost and found at the school the student attends.

• If an item is lost on a field trip, all items left on the bus will be given to the supervising teacher.