School Bus Safety: Rules and Expectations

School bus drivers shall ensure that students are not left unattended on a school bus, except to perform red light escorts to the other students 22112(d) VC. All drivers shall remain in the immediate vicinity of the school bus. School bus drivers shall at the conclusion of each run and upon return to the Transportation Facilities, perform a “student check”. The driver shall walk to the rear of the bus checking each seat for sleeping children and personal items left behind by the students. As the driver walks back to the front of the bus, the driver will check all seats again. 

School buses are large commercial vehicles and are difficult to see around because of their size; therefore, they create blind spots where children may be present. Understanding the 12 foot danger zone area around the bus helps keep our children safe. Students should never go under or in front of the bus. Students should store items inside a backpack where they are less likely to be dropped under the bus. If any student needs to cross the roadway in which the bus is traveling upon, the driver shall escort the pupil across the roadway. Always slow your vehicle when you are around a school bus and stop when the red lights are flashing. Flashing amber lights on the school bus is a warning to slow down and stop for the subsequent red lights flashing signal system on the school bus.

If at all possible, walk young children to and from the bus stop. If that’s not an option for your family, walk them to and from the stop on a few different occasions, so they can become familiar with the route they are going to take.

Here are some pedestrian safety tips to share with your child.

• Obey all traffic signals.
• Only cross a street at the corner
• Always look both ways before crossing a street or a driveway and at alleys (Hint, when you are with your child, exaggerate your head turns and describe what you are doing so they know what you are doing)
• Never talk to a stranger, and never take a ride from a stranger
• If they are walking with a group, they should stay with the group
• Never play while waiting to cross the street at an intersection
• Always leave enough time to get to the stop without having to run

Anytime a school bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading students, the red flashing signal lights and stop signal arm will be operated. Be sure to reinforce with your child the importance of being careful when around any bus.

• Younger children should be supervised at the bus stop.
• Arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• Wear bright clothing and allow extra time to walk to the bus stop.
• Children who rush are particularly vulnerable, so make sure to get to the bus stop early.
• Stay orderly: Wait in an orderly line and respect the property and others around the bus stop.
• Shorten or remove drawstrings or straps that can catch on the bus rail from clothing and backpacks.
• At bus stops, children should wait in a safe place away from the road and the curb. Never sit on the roadway or curb while waiting for your bus.
• When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic. Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus.
• Pay attention to the bus as it approaches the bus stop.
• Look for the flashing light system on the school bus.
• If you must cross the street, Look Left, then Right, then Left again and make eye contact with the driver before crossing. Cross in front of the bus at least 10 giant steps (10 feet) in front of the school bus. Never cross behind the school bus.
• If you drop something near the bus, do not pick it up; tell the bus driver and follow the bus driver’s instructions.

Parents cannot ride the bus with their students. Drivers will work directly with the school principal to manage citations and respond to any disciplinary issues on the bus. Buses are an extension of the school, and student behavior and consequences for misconduct are managed by the school principal.

Please review the expected behavior on the bus with your child.

• Enter the bus quietly and go straight to a seat
• Put on the seat belt and keep it on the entire time
• Stay in your seat until the bus arrives and comes to a complete stop
• Keep the aisles clear
• Please do not:
  • Eat or drink on the bus
  • Bring sharp objects or dangerous items on the bus
  • Bring pets or other animals on the bus
  • Throw things within or out of the bus
• Be courteous and polite:
  • Keep voices soft, for the safety of all the driver must hear & respond to traffic and radio
  • communication. No music may be played aloud over audio or mobile devices by the driver or student. Student music is allowed, requires use of earbuds or headphones
  • Respect bus equipment
  • Listen to your driver and follow guidelines

If a student’s behavior becomes a problem on the bus or any stop location, the Driver will write up a misconduct citation and will share it with the School Principal, and the bus contractor will share a copy with the Transportation Department.

Drivers should work directly with the school administrator to manage and respond to disciplinary issues on the bus. Site admin may determine immediate suspension is warranted on first citation if student safety is at risk. The bus ride is an extension of the classroom and all applicable admin regulations apply.

Bus drivers will provide District/Site admin with copies of all citations.

Principals are responsible for tracking and documenting student citations and monitoring and managing bus ridership.

Video surveillance may be used on school buses to monitor student behavior while traveling to and from school and school activities.

Students found to be in violation of the district’s bus conduct rules shall be subject to discipline in accordance with district policy and regulations. At the discretion of the Superintendent or designee, school bus video recordings also may be used to resolve complaints by students and/or parents/guardians and to help employees maintain discipline.

Students and staff shall not tamper or interfere with video surveillance equipment on school buses. Persons found tampering with the bus surveillance system shall be subject to discipline and shall be responsible for the cost of any necessary repairs or replacement.

Video retained as part of an individual student’s disciplinary record shall be maintained in accordance with law and Board policy governing the access, review and release of student records.

The District will disclose video only as required by law; images of other students depicted in the video will be redacted to the greatest extent appropriate.

Anytime a school bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading students, the red flashing signal lights and stop signal arm will be operated.

Be sure to reinforce with your child the importance of being careful when around any bus.

Please review the following safety guidelines with your child.

• Remain seated and in your seat belt until the bus comes to a complete stop
• Hold the handrail when getting off the bus to avoid falling
• Secure loose drawstrings on backpacks and other objects that could get caught in the handrail or door of the bus
• Immediate after getting off the bus, take three giants steps away from the bus
• Stay outside of the ‘Danger Zone’ (6 feet to the side and 10 feet to the front and back) and away from the bus
• Never crawl under the bus for any reason - in the event something has fallen under the bus, ask the driver to help

Be sure your child knows what to do if you are not there when they get off the bus. No driver will ever put a child off the bus if they do not want to get off. However, if a child walks off the bus (regardless of age) the driver will take it to mean they are following your instructions.

Anytime a student who is getting off at a stop needs to cross the street in front of the bus, the Driver must escort the student across the street. If your child is going to have to cross the street when they get off the bus, please make sure they are aware that when they get off the bus, they must wait for the Driver to help them cross the street.