Transportation Procedures for Staff

School staff members should always be involved and active in the supervision of the loading and unloading of students at school sites and on activity trips. It is the responsibility of school staff members to ensure that students during the loading and unloading procedures follow all safety rules and regulations as outlined in this safety plan. School staff members should be thoroughly familiar with these procedures and involved in the enforcement of these procedures. If at any time a staff member is not familiar with these procedures or has questions regarding them, they should contact the Transportation Department at (408)270-6797 for assistance.

School staff members shall supervise the loading and unloading of all students. This supervision is intended to help in the prevention of possible injury to students while loading and unloading and is designed to minimize the exposure of students to unsafe conditions while loading or unloading a school bus.

• All loading and unloading of students at all times will occur on the right hand side of the curb of the student’s home or the designated bus stop.
• Students while on school sites or other trip locations and prior to actually boarding the school bus, shall be the primary responsibility of the school site staff member.
• Students shall be accountable for their own orderly conduct.
• Students are not to run, horseplay or deviate from the walking pathways or sidewalks at loading zones.

If a bus is running late to a school site or activity trip or arrives after the students have been waiting to board the bus:

• School site members shall have students wait in a safe area and in an orderly line or group.
• Students must remain back at least twelve feet from the school bus as the bus approaches the students.
• Staff members shall ensure that the students do not approach the bus for loading until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver opens the door for loading.
• Students are to board in an orderly manner and are not to run, shove or cut into the lines of other students loading. Staff members are to observe the students for violations of these procedures and if needed, in accordance with District policy, discipline any student(s) that are not complying with these procedures.
• Bus drivers need the assistance of school site members to ensure the level of student safety is maximized during loading and unloading.

Procedures for all pupils to follow as they board and exit the appropriate school bus at schools, school bus stops, or trip destinations.

• Pupils shall follow the instructions of the school bus driver, who is in charge at all times.
• Pupils shall board and exit the school bus only at bus stops designated by the school district Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee. All loading and unloading of students at all times will occur on the right hand side of the curb of the student’s home or the designated bus stop.
• Pupils shall not approach the school bus to board it, or leave their seats to exit it, until the bus comes to a complete stop and the front entrance door has been opened.
• Pupils shall board and exit the school bus in an orderly manner. Pupils who require escort pursuant to section 22112 of the Vehicle Code shall:
  • If the student is riding in an alternative vehicle such as a van, under no circumstance, due to safety, may a student sit in the front seat next to the driver.
  • Wait for the bus driver to exit the bus first.
  • After exiting the bus, cross the roadway only when the bus driver tells them it is safe to do so. *Walk straight across the roadway between the bus driver and the front of the bus.
• After crossing, stay clear of the roadway. Pupils who do not require escort pursuant to section 22112 of the Vehicle Code shall:
  • In an orderly manner, immediately leave the vicinity of the school bus.
  • Stay clear of the roadways.

Procedures for all drivers to follow as they board and exit the appropriate school bus at schools, school bus
stops, or trip destinations.

• Drivers may be required to escort some students to their seats, ensuring that the student is secured safely. The driver may also have to install or adjust an IEP required harness on the student. At times drivers who are responsible for the management of students may be required to help site staff when students become escalated.
• School bus drivers shall continuously monitor the safety of their school bus route and school bus stops and report any potential hazards so the route or bus stop can be reviewed for safety by the Transportation Coordinator or Director.
• School bus drivers shall have authority (13 CCR 14103) of pupils they transport and respond to any observed unsafe behaviors or conditions.

California Vehicle Code 22112 states that the school bus driver shall activate the amber warning light system on approach to the school bus stop, and immediately activate the flashing red light signal system and stop signal arm at all times for the purpose of loading or unloading pupils. Therefore, students must be outside at the designated pickup location ready to board the bus five minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.

If a student's home address is located on the opposite side of the street from the actual bus stop, then the student is required by State Law and District Policy to be physically escorted by the bus driver across that street and under the bus drivers’ direction and supervision. The bus driver is required to activate the school bus red flashing crossover lights and if so equipped, the stop arm, and physically get out of the bus to assist the students safely across the street. District Policy requires ALL students who cross the street, be physically
escorted by the bus driver with crossover lights and signs being activated.

Prior to opening the door at the bus stop to drop off students, the bus driver will verbally ask students if anyone will be crossing the street when the bus is stopped. If any student(s) indicate that they do cross, the driver will then execute the established crossover 8 Rev. 01/2018 procedure as prescribed by law for that stop. Students must indicate to the driver they cross either verbally or by a show of a hand signal. Section 22112 CVC requires a school bus driver to activate the red lights at all times when a school bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading students, this would include locations where traffic is controlled by an official traffic signal. However, Section 22112 CVC does not permit a school bus to activate
the red lights at the following locations:

• School bus loading zones on or adjacent to school grounds or during an activity trip, if the school bus is lawfully parked.
• Where the school bus is disabled due to mechanical breakdown.
• Where students require assistance to board or leave the school bus.
• Where the roadway surface on which the bus is stopped is partially or completely covered by snow or ice.
• On a state highway with a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour or higher where the school bus is completely off the main traveled portion of the highway.
• Any location determined by the school district, with approval of the CHP, to present a traffic or safety hazard.