Bus Expectations

Riding the school bus to and from school each day is a privilege and should be enjoyable. You must cooperate with the bus driver and follow the rules. If you don’t follow the rules, there are consequences; this may include losing the privilege to ride the bus to school.

When an incident is reported by a child, a parent or a bus driver, it is followed up by our Assistant Principal. The following is a description of the process used.

*If a bus driver reports an incident, the Assistant Principal will sit with the student(s) involved and discuss the incident and assign appropriate consequences, such as loss of recess, change of seating or removal from the bus for a day or longer.

*If a child or parent/guardian reports an incident, the Assistant Principal will talk with that child first to hear what happened from his/her perspective. After this, he/she will usually bring in the other child(ren) involved so that they can hear from each other and talk with each other about the incident. In a few cases, a child may not want to sit with another child or children to discuss the incident so the children are spoken to separately. Once all parties have been heard from, appropriate consequences are assigned by the Assistant Principal.

*The parents/guardians of any child who is spoken to about a bus issue maybeare always called, usually the same day. The parents/guardians of any child who calls about a concern are always called back and informed about how the issue was dealt with, usually the same day.

*All of the above depends on incidents being reported to the school. If anything happens on the bus and you or your child are upset or worried about it, please do call us. If you report it to the driver, and this is not enough; call the school and ask to speak to the Assistant Principal.

We take bus safety very seriously. We need and appreciate your cooperation to make your children’s bus ride a safe and happy experience.

Bus Rules and Regulations

1. Students shall remain well back from the roadway while awaiting the arrival of the bus and refrain from throwing things or playing at the bus stop. Students should not arrive at the bus stop more than five (5) minutes early.

2. Students shall enter the bus in an orderly fashion, go directly to a seat, and remain seated until the destination is reached.

3. Students shall not litter or deface the bus in any manner.

4. Students shall not cause any distracting action(s) on the school bus.

5. Students shall keep their hands, arms, and heads inside the bus.

6. All articles such as athletic equipment, books, musical instruments, etc., must be kept out of the aisles.

7. The Emergency Door must be used for emergencies only. Students shall not touch safety equipment on the bus.

8. It is essential that each student cooperate with the bus driver and safety protocols for the safety of all concerned.

9. Students shall be picked up and unloaded only at regularly scheduled stops.

10. Students will disembark from the bus by the front door, passing in front of the bus if it is necessary to cross the road. In this manner, the student will have the protection of the flashing lights and will at all times be observed by the driver.

11. No person shall smoke or consume alcoholic beverages or use illegal substances on a school bus.

12. Pets or animals are not to be transported to or from school on the Dover-Sherborn school buses.