Transportation

Automobiles

Students driving cars to school must park in the student parking lot.  All cars should be locked after arriving in the morning.  Cars are not to leave the parking lot during school hours.  Student driving is a privilege that may be suspended for any violations of school regulations. Below are regulations for driving and parking a vehicle on school property.

1. Students are not permitted to be in their vehicles, or in any other student's vehicle, or in the student parking area, except when arriving at school or departing from school.  Students are not to go to their vehicle during the school day without office permission.

2. School officials reserve the right to inspect vehicles on school property when officials have a reasonable suspicion that the vehicle might contain contraband.  Also, students must not display items in/on their vehicles that are inappropriate for school (profanity, profane bumper stickers, etc.)

3. Vehicles to be driven to school and parked in the student parking lot must be registered in the main office at the beginning of the school year or when a student begins driving to school.  Students can get a registration form from the main office.

4. Students must park in designated parking areas for students only.  

5. Students with illegally parked vehicles (e.g. no vehicle registration, double parking, wrong parking area, fire lane, etc.) will receive violation notices and may be required to move their vehicles immediately.  Repeated violations will result in school discipline, parking privileges being revoked, or the vehicle being towed at the student/parent/guardian expense.

6. Students driving on school property before, during, and after school must do so with extreme caution.  Speed limits are posted and will be strictly enforced by local law enforcement.  Also, faculty will monitor the safety in the parking area.

7. Student driving is a privilege that may be suspended for any violations of school regulations.

Bicycles

Students may ride bicycles to school and should park in spaces provided.  Bicycles must be locked when not in use.  Do not ride bicycles on the sidewalks.

Buses

Riding the school bus is a privilege which can be revoked.  Students are expected to conduct themselves in a proper manner at all times.  The bus driver must be obeyed to insure the safety of all.

The following are the student responsibilities pertaining to riding buses:

1. Students will be assigned to specific buses which they will ride every day.  Do not ride any bus except the one to which you are assigned.

2. Be at your stop ready to board.  The driver cannot wait for you.

3. Students may be assigned to a specific seat. 

4. If it is necessary to ride a different bus, students must bring a signed parent/guardian permission slip to the main office and obtain a bus pass.  Permission to ride an alternate bus may be denied, as alternative buses may be crowded.  We do not provide transportation to and from boyfriend/girlfriends’ homes.

5. All riders shall remain seated while the bus is in motion.  There will be no changing seats without permission of the driver.  DO NOT stick parts of the body out of the windows.

6. The emergency and exit controls may be used by the passengers only during supervised drills or actual emergencies.

7. Fighting, yelling, and obscene language are prohibited.

8. Eating on the bus is not allowed.

9. No cans, bottles, or liquids are permitted on the bus.

10. The possession and/or use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, matches, and weapons are prohibited.

11. The throwing of objects or destruction of property is prohibited.  Injury to persons and/or damage to property will be the responsibility of the offenders.

12. Payment must be made for damage intentionally caused to seats or other parts of the bus.  Any intentional vandalism/damage to the bus will be the financial responsibility of the student.  Students who intentionally damage buses will be subject to school discipline and may be prosecuted.

13. Students must be careful to leave nothing on the bus such as lunches, clothing, or books.

14. Students must keep personal possessions out of the aisle.

15. Students must never throw anything in the bus or out the window.

16. Sound equipment may not be played throughout the entire bus.

17. When buses arrive at the high school in the AM, students must walk appropriately to their assigned area (the cafeteria or first class of the day) immediately.

18. When the bell rings for dismissal, students must immediately report to the designated areas where their buses will pick them up to go home.  While waiting for the bus, students must engage in appropriate and safe behaviors such as talking appropriately with peers and waiting patiently.  Students must refrain from inappropriate behaviors such as running, pushing, shouting, and using profanity.  Faculty monitors will be supervising these waiting areas.  

Failure to comply with these expectations may result in loss of bus riding privileges.  

When a student is suspended from riding the bus, the parent/guardian is responsible for transporting the student to and from school.  Absence from school because of lack of transportation during a bus suspension shall be deemed as unexcused.

Bus Surveillance

Pursuant to Southern Tioga School Board Policy 810.2, for the safety of our students and staff, the district utilizes video and audio recording on school buses.  Only district administration shall be authorized to view the video recording.

Disciplinary action may be taken as a result of the video/audio documentation.  Procedures for the administration of discipline will follow district guidelines and procedures.

Please review BOARD POLICY ON SCHOOL BUS SURVEILLANCE.

For more information on school bus regulations and discipline procedures, see BUS BEHAVIOR in the Southern Tioga School District Rules and Regulations handbook.