School Bus Regulations

Riding a school bus is a privilege that may be granted or denied by the Seymour Board of Education. While on the bus, all students must follow the rules of conduct to ensure a safe and respectful environment:

Bus Conduct Rules

1. Students must remain seated while the bus is in motion.

2. Scuffling and fighting are not permitted.

3. Engaging in loud and boisterous conduct is prohibited.

4. The use of profanity is not allowed.

5. Throwing objects or causing articles to fly through or out of the bus is forbidden.

6. Extending any part of the body out of the bus is not allowed.

7. Eating on the bus is prohibited.

8. Smoking on the bus is strictly forbidden.

9. Students must not destroy or damage property belonging to others.

10. Taking videos or pictures of others on the bus is not allowed.

Bus Discipline Regulations

• Referral to the Office: The bus driver will refer any discipline problems to the school office.

• First Bus Conduct Report: Automatically warrants a conference with the student. The student will also be placed on “probation.”

  • If the report indicates destruction of property, dangerous behavior, or disrespect for authority, the student may be suspended from bus privileges for 1 to 3 days.

• Subsequent Bus Conduct Reports: With each additional report, the student may lose bus privileges for up to 10 days.

• Conferences: Meetings with parents, bus drivers, and/or bus company representatives will be scheduled as necessary to address ongoing issues.

• School Rules on the Bus: All school rules are in effect while a student is on the bus. Violations may result in further disciplinary actions, such as after-school detention or suspension from school.

• Reporting Concerns: Any student or parent may bring bus-related concerns to the attention of the building administrator at any time.

Bus Assignment

• Bus Assignment Information: All students will receive a bus assignment. This information can be accessed via Infofinderi.com to find your bus stop and view bus routes.

  • Please review your child’s bus assignment and pick-up/drop-off times, as they may have changed from previous years. Times posted are approximate and may vary by up to five minutes before or after the listed times.

  • It is highly recommended that students take advantage of the school-provided transportation. Students are only permitted to ride to and from school on the bus to which they are assigned.

Dismissal Procedures

• Assigned Bus: All students are assigned a specific bus for transportation home.

• Changes to Transportation:

  • If your child will not be riding their assigned bus home, a phone call or note must be submitted to the school by noon on that day.

  • If your child is changing their mode of transportation home (e.g., being picked up instead of taking the bus), a phone call or note must also be submitted by noon on that day.

Walking, and Bicycling

All students are assigned a bus for transportation to and from school and are expected to use this service. If parents prefer their children to walk or ride a bicycle, a permission slip must be completed and submitted to the school office for your child’s safety. Without this written permission, students are required to use the school bus.

Morning Drop-Off Process

We will have supervision for students at the drop-off area, which is on the side of the SMS building (by the far parking lot/baseball field), beginning at 7:40AM. Excluding inclement weather, students will not be allowed in the building prior to 7:40AM.  Upon entering the building, students may go directly to homeroom, or may eat breakfast in the cafeteria. Cars must pull all the way up to the staff member at the top of the sidewalk. Students should exit their car from the passenger side for safety reasons. Cars should not pass other cars for safety. The walker/parent drop off door closes at 7:55. At that point, students must enter through the main entrance and check in at the office.

Afternoon Pick-Up Process

The SMS dismissal process starts at 2:30PM.  Parents picking up students at the end of the day must stay in their cars, and remain in the pick up line.  Cars should pull all the way to the top of the sidewalk to pick the student up. For safety reasons, students will NOT be allowed to walk to cars in the parking lot to get to parents waiting in cars.  Parents are not required to come in the SMS lobby as long as their vehicles are parked in the pick-up line.  When the dismissal bell rings at 2:30, the students may exit the building and proceed directly to their parents’ vehicle at the pick-up area.  Please be patient and drive safely!