Bus Rules and Safety

Here are the rules for safety on the bus:

1. Swipe your bus pass when you get on or off.
2. Always listen to the bus driver.
3. Use seat belts if your bus has them.
4. Keep the noise down — no shouting or loud noises.
5. Stay seated and keep the aisles clear.
6. Keep the bus clean.
7. Don't eat or drink on the bus.
8. Stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus.
9. In emergencies, stay seated unless told otherwise.
10. Stick to your assigned bus.
11. If you break the rules, you'll get a Bus Conduct Report.

If you break the bus rules, here's what happens:

1. First time: You get a Bus Conduct Report, and your parent/guardian needs to sign it.
2. Second time: The school calls your parent/guardian, and you can't ride the bus for a day.
3. Third time: No bus for three days.
4. Fourth time: No bus for five days.
5. Fifth time: No bus for a month.
6. Sixth time: No bus for the rest of the school year.

Remember, this might continue into the next year.

More Serious Problems

For more serious problems on the bus:

1. The driver tells the transportation supervisor right away and writes a report.
2. The transportation supervisor tells the school principal right away.
3. The principal talks to the student, and someone from the Transportation Department contacts the parents with the plan.

For really serious misbehavior on the bus, like fighting or using bad language, the transportation service can be stopped for at least five days. It might even be stopped for the whole semester or school year, depending on how bad it is and if there were other problems before. The transportation supervisor and the principal decide what to do.

These incidents include:

1. Fighting or threatening others
2. Using bad language or rude gestures to the bus driver or others
3. Throwing things in or out of the bus
4. Starting fires, smoking, or using drugs on the bus
5. Doing dangerous things like pointing lasers at the driver or other students
6. Putting body parts outside the windows
7. Any activity that really risks the safety of students on the bus
8. Vandalism
9. Harassing others

If there's serious misbehavior, someone from the Transportation Department may come to the bus to remove the child. If a student thinks they're being treated unfairly, they should tell the principal.

Cameras on school buses watch how students behave. The videos can be used as proof if there's a problem. The recordings are like student records and are kept private according to school rules.

Here are some tips for staying safe around the bus:

1. Wear clothes that aren't too loose or have long strings.
2. Put all your school stuff in your backpack so you don't drop anything getting on or off the bus.
3. Get to the bus stop five minutes before your assigned time.
4. Don't run to catch the bus. If you miss it, go home or to a neighbor's house.
5. Walk on the sidewalk if you can. If not, walk in a line close to the edge of the road.
6. If you have to cross a street, stop and look left, right, and left again.
7. Parents/guardians hould go to the bus stop with young kids. Older kids should walk in groups.

Here are some important things to remember at the bus stop:

1. Be there five minutes early.
2. Stay away from the danger zones near the bus.
3. Stand at least six feet (three giant steps) away from the road.
4. Don't play in the street.
5. Don't push, shove, or play running games at the bus stop.

When crossing the street:

1. Wait for the bus to stop completely.
2. Wait for the bus driver's signal.
3. Check for traffic before crossing.
4. Cross at least 10 feet (five giant steps) in front of the bus.

Other important rules:

1. Never walk between parked cars when entering the street.
2. Enter the bus in a single file and use the handrail.
3. If you drop something, leave it. Tell the bus driver and wait for instructions. Never go into the danger zone to get it.
4. Show your bus pass to the driver each time you get on.
5. Go right to your seat and sit quietly.

Follow these rules while on the bus:

1. Listen to the bus driver.
2. Wear a seatbelt if one is provided.
3. Stay seated when the bus is moving.
4. Keep your feet in the right place.
5. Keep your head, hands, and stuff inside the bus.
6. Talk quietly, so the driver can focus.
7. Don't talk when the bus is near railroad tracks.
8. Be kind to others and use good language.
9. Keep the bus clean; no gum, eating, or drinking.
10. No smoking or matches on the bus.
11. Tell the bus driver if you see any problems.

When leaving the bus:

1. Get off only at your assigned stop.
2. Go straight home.
3. Let those who need to cross in front of the bus go first — it's called a "cross over."
4. Take three giant steps away from the bus when getting off.
5. If you have to cross, walk 10 feet in front, stop, and wait for the driver's signal.
6. Cross to the driver's side and stop.
7. Look both ways for traffic before crossing.
8. If it's safe, cross quickly.
9. If the bus honks twice, it means danger! Go back to the curb away from traffic.
10. Always cross in front of the bus.
11. Cross with others, don't scatter — it helps the driver keep track.
12. Never go back to the danger zone around the bus after you've crossed safely.