Safety Rules and Guidelines

The following safety tips and information will help ensure that your child arrives to school safely.

• Your child should be at his/her bus stop five minutes or more before the designated pickup time.

• Your child should not wait for the bus inside his/her house or apartment. The bus schedules are based on students being at their stops on time.

• Your child should dress for the weather and wear clothing that is safe, visible and warm.

• Your child should carry his/her belongings in a book bag or backpack. Loose items can get dropped under the bus.

• Your child should go directly to his/her bus stop in order to be on time.

• Children should walk facing traffic, and stay on the sidewalk whenever possible.

• Your child should show care for other people's property -- at the bus stop and while on the school bus. Bullying is not tolerated.

• Your child is not allowed to bring pets, small children or any large objects to the bus stop or on the bus.

• Teach your child not to talk to strangers.

• Your child should stand back from the road when the bus is approaching. He/she should stand at the bus stop on the sidewalk or another safe place. In the winter, your children should not climb or hide behind snow banks.

• Your child should be paying attention, not playing, at the bus stop and school loading zones.

Crossing the Road

• Your child must wait for the bus driver to signal before crossing, and check the traffic.

• Your child should walk as far in front of the bus that the driver can see him/her.

Boarding the Bus

• Talk to your children about school-bus safety.

• You and your child should arrive early at the bus stop. Leave plenty of time so children will not have to run to catch the bus.

• Please do not ask the driver to blow the horn upon arrival. Your child should be waiting for the bus at the bus stop.

• Remember the 10-feet rule -- students should be 10 feet back from the road. This helps keep kids safe from falling toward oncoming traffic.

• Students crossing the road should always look both ways and wait for the bus driver's hand signal before crossing. The bus driver will sound the horn if there is danger. The sound of the horn means "Stop, don't move."

While on the Bus

• Children should stay seated at all times. If the bus turns or has to stop fast, students will be safer if seated.

• To avoid falls, students must keep the bus aisles free of feet, book bags or school projects at all times.

• Children should use a quiet voice and avoid horseplay. This helps the driver from being distracted from his/her driving.

• Children should always keep their head and arms inside the bus windows.

• Children should never throw anything out of a bus window.

• Eating and smoking are strictly prohibited on the bus.

• All students are asked to wear seatbelts.

Leaving the Bus

• Children should ONLY cross in front of the bus where the driver can see them.

• If your child drops something, he or she should not run back to pick up dropped items. The bus driver may not be able to see your child.

Disorderly Students

• Students who are disorderly or insubordinate may have their riding privileges suspended by the building principal, transportation director or superintendent of schools. Repeat offenders may have their riding privileges permanently revoked.

• The district expects that each student will conduct him/herself properly.

Know Your Driver

• School bus drivers are trained professionals who are key members of the education team.

• Get to know your driver and help your bus driver get to know your child. The school bus ride is an important part of the school day.

• Form time to time it may be necessary to have a substitute driver. All drivers are required to wear identification badges. If you are unsure of a driver, ask to see his or her badge.

• The bus driver has a big job -- keeping all of the students on his/her bus safe and getting them to school on time. When students, parents and drivers cooperate, the trip to school is a great experience for everyone.