Bus

SCHOOL BUS CODE

BUS RIDING IS A PRIVILEGE, WHICH MAY BE REVOKED.

Misconduct by any student while riding a school bus represents a serious threat to the safety of all occupants of the bus as well as other motorists, pedestrians, and members of the community. Parents are urged to discuss with their children appropriate school bus conduct in order to ensure bus safety. All students who misbehave while riding the school bus will be disciplined according to the Code of Student Conduct.

A bus suspension is separate from a school suspension and applies only to the loss of bus riding privileges unless subject to other disciplinary actions, such as out-of-school suspension. Students are required to attend school. Bus suspension does not affect or excuse school attendance.

Responsibilities of Transported Students

Students who commit Class I, II, III, or IV offenses while being transported on a school bus, or any other contracted mode of transportation will be disciplined according to the Code of Student Conduct.

Generally, students being transported have the following responsibilities:

 To arrive at the bus stop ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled pick up time

 To take responsibility for their behavior and conduct themselves in a respectful, orderly manner while waiting at the bus stop for the bus to arrive

 To enter the bus in an orderly manner

 To take their assigned seats as quickly as possible

 To remain seated in a forward-facing position

 To avoid making loud noises

 To keep voices at a low level

 When bus is equipped and in operation, students must wear seat belts at all times.

A student who boards or attempts to board a school bus other than the one to which the student is assigned or who boards or departs a school bus at a location other than assigned pick-up or drop-off bus stop without prior school administration permission is considered to be a 2.27 Code of Student Conduct offense and subject to formal disciplinary action.

Responsibilities of Parents and Guardians of Transported Students

 To ensure the safe travel of students to and from school and home when students are not under the custody and control of the district, including to and from home and the assigned bus stop.

 To ensure that students ride only in their assigned school buses and get off only at assigned bus stops, except when alternative buses or arrangements have been made.

 To ensure students are aware of and follow the expected rules of behavior while they are at the bus stops and to provide the necessary supervision during times when the bus is not present per State Board of Education Rule 6A.301712 (a).

 To provide the necessary assistance for students to get on and off at the bus stop when the physical disability of the student renders them unable to get on and off the bus without assistance (as required by district policy or the student’s individual education plan).

Safety Procedures for Students Being Transported

 Wait until the bus comes to a stop before attempting to get on or off.

 Enter or leave the bus only at the front door after it has come to a stop, except in the case of an emergency as directed by the driver.

 Keep all parts of the body and objects inside the bus windows at all times.

 Leave the bus only with the consent of the driver.

 Be silent when approaching or crossing railroad tracks.