All students are to ride on their assigned bus. Students must leave or board the bus at locations to which they have been assigned, unless they have parental and administrative authorization to do otherwise.

Riding school buses is a privilege and a convenience; it is NOT a right. The board authorizes the superintendent and other administrative personnel to suspend, if necessary, a student’s bus riding privileges. Inappropriate language and/or conduct will be sufficient reason for refusing transportation service to any student.

Whenever it becomes necessary to refuse a student transportation, the school authorities shall notify the parents in writing or by phone of such refusal with a full explanation. Until such time as the school authorities have received assurance from the parents of future good conduct on the part of the student, the student shall not be permitted to ride the bus. Should a student board a bus from which he has been suspended, the bus driver shall report such incidents to the principal upon his/her arrival at the school site.

Students waiting for a late bus are not permitted to leave school grounds except by bus.

Unless the parent or guardian himself/herself is handicapped and unable to do so, Pre-school children being transported have to be placed on and taken off of the bus by a parent or guardian. The bus driver cannot leave his/her seat to put the child in the seat or harness.

Once students depart their assigned stops, they are expected to report directly to their home. District responsibility ends when the student is delivered to the regular bus stop after the close of the school day. Your child can be expected anytime at home in the evening after the school bell rings.

The following regulations pertain to school bus conduct and are intended to ensure the safety and welfare of the students, the bus driver, and other drivers on the road and to ensure the safety and proper maintenance of school buses.

• STAY OFF the road, even when you see the bus coming. Students should wait in a location clear of traffic and away from the stop (designated area).
   
• STAND BACK until the bus stops completely and the door opens before you move to get on.
   
• BE CAREFUL in approaching bus stops. Walk facing oncoming traffic. Be sure the road is clear both ways before crossing roads and highways.
   
• USE HANDRAIL and take the steps one at a time as you get on.
   
• BE on time and arrive at the bus stop before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Bus drivers are not required to wait on students who are not punctual.
   
• SIT DOWN right away and put down your books, etc., before the bus starts. Sit in your assigned seats. Bus drivers have the right to assign students to a seat and to expect reasonable conduct (similar to classroom conduct) from them.
   
• ACT the way you would in class--no loud talking, fooling around, throwing things, provoking or disturbing others. Reach your assigned seat without disturbing or crowding other students and always remain seated while the bus is moving.
   
• NEVER stick your head, arms, hands, or anything out the window. Don’t open any windows without the driver’s permission.
   
• OBEY the driver promptly and respectfully or run the risk of losing bus riding privileges.
   
• SAVE SNACKS and homework for later. Keep the bus clean and sanitary. No chewing gum, candy, soft drinks, etc. are permitted.
   
• NO unnecessary noise, loud talking, and laughing which might divert the attention of the bus driver.
   
• STAY SEATED until the bus stops and the door opens. Let people closest to the front get off first. If your stop is next, move to an open seat at the front of the bus.
   
• BE courteous to fellow students and to your bus driver.
   
• TAKE ALL your books, clothes, and bundles and remember to leave the bus as clean as you found it. Treat bus seats and equipment as you would a valuable piece of home furniture. Report all damages to bus seats, intentional or otherwise, to the bus driver.
   
• GET OFF quickly and quietly, without pushing or running. Remain seated until the bus stops to unload and wait for the signal from the bus driver before crossing the road in front of the bus.
   
• NEVER CROSS in front of the bus until the driver signals for you to do so.
   
• IN AN EMERGENCY, wait for the driver to give instructions.
   
• OTHER regulations will be established by the driver.

Parents of students going into kindergarten and 7th grade should receive a letter from the Transportation Director prior to the first day of school listing which bus their child will ride and the name of the bus driver. This should help alleviate some confusion the first day of school. Parents, please discuss this important information with your child to alleviate confusion on the first day of school!