Transportation

The Middlesex County School Board recognizes that pupil transportation is a privilege, not a right, and the board reserves the authority to require students to follow standards that help to ensure the safety of all concerned. Regulations have been developed governing student conduct while on school buses and in loading and unloading areas. Students may be videotaped and/or audiotaped at any time on the school bus.

During the 2021-22 school year no changes to bus transportation will be permitted.

Students and parents may not make changes to their afternoon bus route after 12:00 noon of the same day.

Parent(s) of students enrolled in grades PK-2^nd (including Head Start) and parents of students who ride handicap accessible busses must be at the bus stop in the morning when their child/children load the bus and in the afternoon when their child/children unload from the bus.

1) The bus driver is responsible for the safety of all passengers. Students must follow

instructions given by the driver.

2) Students must not disturb the bus drivers while they are driving. Expectations for

student behavior on school buses are:

a. Students shall remain seated and not change seats.

b. Students shall remain seated while the bus is in motion.

c. Students shall keep voices at a reasonable level; no shouting or whistling.

d. Rough-housing, pushing, shoving, fighting, throwing items, or hazing are

unacceptable behaviors.

e. Students shall get on and off the bus in an orderly manner.

f. Students shall keep body parts inside the bus at all times.

g. Students are expected to be at the bus stop five minutes prior to scheduled

pick-up times. Schedules shall be adhered to as often as possible.

3) If it is necessary for a student to change buses at a school other than his/her own,

he/she is subject to the necessary rules, regulations and procedures outlined by the

Principal of that school.

4) Use and/or possession of drugs, alcohol, drug paraphernalia, tobacco, or imitation

tobacco products are prohibited on the school bus or loading areas.

5) Any student whose actions endanger the life or welfare of another passenger will

be subject to disciplinary action.

6) Once a student has boarded the bus, he/she will not be allowed to exit from the

bus until arrival at school, home or the designated stop as indicated by a bus permit.

Once a student has disembarked from the bus, he/she shall not be permitted to re-board

the bus.

7) Safety practices established by the State Board of Education or the Middlesex County

School Board relative to school bus transportation will be binding on all students and

employees. Violations of these rules may result in suspension of bus privileges.

8) Verbal abuse directed toward bus drivers will not be tolerated.

9) Violations of these rules may result in the following actions:

a. Warnings

b. Parent Conferences

c. Short-term loss of bus privileges

d. Long-term loss of bus privileges

e. Reimbursement for damages

f. Removal from the bus for the remainder of the school year

g. Civil or criminal prosecution

BUS RULES – SIGNATURE REQUIRED IN BACK OF HANDBOOK

1) All riders will remain properly seated while on the Bus.

2) All riders will keep objects and themselves inside the Bus.

3) No rider will litter or damage the Bus.

4) There will be NO food or drink permitted on the school bus unless in a sealed container.

(Note: Any rider caught eating or drinking on the bus will be subject to the referral Process)

5) Riders will keep aisles clear at all times. This includes body parts and belongings.

6) Throwing objects, fighting, obscene language or gestures are forbidden.

7) All riders will refrain from bullying or talking loudly on the Bus.

8) The Bus driver is required to assign seats on their Bus. This means that each rider will be required to sit in that assigned seat any time they ride the Bus.

9) No smoking, vaping or drugs shall be allowed in the Bus.

10) Cell phones and personal computers are allowed on the Bus but with the following restrictions:

(a) Phones should be in vibrate or silence mode during the entire route.

(b) No Pictures/video taking with these items shall be permitted.

(c) Music, video and/or games shall be permitted only if ear buds are worn and/ or the phone volume is off.

(d) No person shall use their phone to make calls unless there is an emergency and permission is given by the driver.

(e) There shall be absolutely NO SHARING of personal phones or personal computer/games.

(f) No rider should allow persons not seated with them to view their phone or PC.

(g) These items should be used in a professional manner as to not disturb the driver or other riders on the Bus.

(Note: The Bus driver has the authority to confiscate any phone, computer, game etc. after the rider has been warned of a violation. If the behavior continues, the Bus driver will ask for the item(s) to be brought to the front of the Bus and it (they) will be returned once the student reaches his/her destination. If the rider chooses not to hand over the item to the driver, the local authorities may be called to respond to have the student removed from the Bus.)

11) Always cooperate with the Bus driver.