Bus Conduct

Bus transportation is a privilege, not a right, and the following rules must be followed by students:

Rules for Waiting at the Bus Stop

1. Be on time.
2. Respect others and their property.
3. Stay away from the street, road or highway.
4. Keep safety in mind…no shoving, running or pushing.

Procedure for Boarding the School Bus

1. Line up in single file.
2. Approach the bus only when it has stopped and the driver has opened the door.
3. Don’t push or crowd others.
4. Use the handrail, climb the steps one at a time, and be seated quickly.

Rules When Riding the Bus

1. Obey the driver’s instructions.
2. Promptly be seated and remain in your seat.
3. Speak quietly and use appropriate language.
4. Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.
5. Keep the bus clean and do not damage it.
6. Do not throw any object.
7. Do not bring weapons/dangerous objects on the bus.
8. The use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs is prohibited.
9. Fighting, harassment, and horseplay are prohibited.

Procedures for Leaving a School Bus

1. Remain seated until the bus stops.
2. Let the students in front get off first.
3. Don’t push or crowd.
4. Watch your step and use the handrail.
5. Move out of the “danger zone”.

Procedure for Safe Crossing of Vehicle Lanes

1. Move away from the side of the bus to at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
2. Turn to the driver and make eye contact.
3.  Wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to cross.
4. Walk 10 feet in front of the bus & stop to check for vehicles that might violate the stop arm.
5.  When it’s safe…complete the crossing.

Procedures for Emergency Evacuation

There are three different evacuation plans:

1. Using only the front service door
2. Using only the rear (or side) emergency door
3. Using both the service door & the emergency door

Whichever plan is used, students need to:

1. Be quiet and wait for instructions from the driver.
2. Be alert and move quickly.
3. Keep your feet out of the aisle, go out seat by seat, alternating sides.
4. Duck your head when going out the emergency door.
5. After you are out of the door, move away from the bus as this clears the way for others to follow.
6. Go a distance of at least 100 feet from the bus and remain there in a group until given further instructions by the driver.

Unacceptable Behavior on Our Buses

Damaging Bus Property

• Cutting, destroying seats
• Scratching or marring finish of seats
• Breaking windows

Abusive Language

• Swearing
• Sassing, talking back to bus driver
• Name calling

Injury to Others 

• Hitting, scratching, kicking, pushing, tripping other riders
• Throwing things

Unsafe Behavior

• Failure to stay clear when bus is approaching
• Failure to stay clear after getting off the bus
• Playing around with safety door or safety equipment
• Hanging out the window
• Throwing objects in the bus, out of the bus, or at the bus
• Hanging on the bus bumper

Excessive Noise

• Yelling, screaming
• Shouting across the bus
• Playing radios loudly
• Creating a disturbance with other kinds of noises

Disobeying the Driver

• Failure to follow the driver’s directions

Other

• Harassment of driver or others
• The use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs
• Any behavior not included above but felt by the drivers to warrant a report