School Bus Safety  

 

School Bus Rules and Safety

YOU HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN MAKING SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION SAFE FOR YOUR CHILD.

The rules and regulations listed below are the results of careful study based upon the experiences we have had in the operation of a school bus system. Cooperation and courtesy in following these suggestions will permit us to better serve your child. Please go over the rules with your child so they will know what is expected of them on the school bus.

 

PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION ON THE FLASHING AMBER LIGHTS WITH YOUR CHILD.

 

Safe Bus Riding Rules

___ Be on time at the designated bus stop. Running to catch the bus is dangerous and the other riders are kept waiting.

___ Walk safely away from the edge of the road either on the sidewalk or on the shoulder facing traffic.

___ Wait for the bus at the designated stop and stand well back from the road. Pupils should line up while waiting for the bus.

___ Board the bus one at a time using the handrail and go directly to proper seat.

___ Obey the bus driver’s suggestions carefully and help the driver to assure safety at all times.

___ While the bus is moving, stay seated with books or other items on lap. The aisle must be clear at all times.

___ Assist the bus driver by not shouting or making loud noises or otherwise distracting the driver.

___ Head, arms, and hands must be kept inside the bus. Ask permission to open windows.

___ Help keep the bus clean. No gum chewing, eating, or drinking on the bus and no smoking.

___ Older students should be considerate of and helpful to small children.

___ When getting off, move quickly away from the side of the bus. To cross the road, walk 10 paces ahead of the bus and wait for a signal from the driver. Then look both ways before crossing, walk not run, across the road.

___ Inform the driver when absence is expected from school or when getting off at a different stop than normal.

___ There will be no legs or feet in the aisle.

___ There will be no foul language of any kind used on the bus.

___ There will be no fighting on the bus.

Failure to obey the bus rules will result in students being suspended from the bus for a period of time, and parents will be responsible for transportation to and from school.

 

 

Consequences:

Misconduct on School Bus

For obvious safety reasons, students are expected to follow the rules of the bus.

The first offence results in a warning to the student. It may or may not be written up depending on the severity of the offence, and parents may or may not be informed.

The second offence results in a contact to the parents from the principal or designate. Second offences will be written up.

The third and subsequent offences will be written up and parents will be contacted. It may result in the loss of bus travelling privileges for a period of time. If problems continue to persist, transportation may be suspended for a period of time.

Our main concern is for the safety of all students on the bus.

 

Guidelines for Items on School Buses

For the safety and well-being of students while riding on school buses, the following guidelines are to be adhered to:

The school bus driver shall not allow any live animals, firearms, explosives, chemicals, or anything of a dangerous or objectionable nature on the bus.

Musical instruments or any school project shall not be placed in the aisles or areas near the entrance/exit door. No instrument, large or small, should occupy any space in the aisle or a seat space.

In general, any items not able to be held in the lap, between knees or under the seat are prohibited on the school bus. Instruments which can be held on the lap or between the knees would include violins, flutes, oboes, trombones, etc. These would be considered "lap" or "between the knees" instruments. Large cellos, saxophones, bass drums, etc., all of which are "non-lap," should not be allowed on the school bus.

Potentially dangerous items:

Glass jars and other glass items will not be permitted on the school bus. Broken glass could create an unsafe situation. Flammable materials, knives or other sharp objects, etc. are prohibited. Ice skates are a restricted item unless in a zippered/closed kit bag. Skates are often razor sharp and when air-borne as a result of impact energy, they can cause very serious injury.

The driver has the right to refuse students or any other person with any non-lap or potentially dangerous items. If transportation of the above items is necessary for school, parents should make arrangements to transport the items. Exceptions may be prearranged for school sponsored activities

that require some of the above items.

The Transportation Services Division wants to ensure that students are transported in school bus

environments that are as safe and as comfortable as possible. To allow the transportation of potential dangerous items which could become a projectile in the event of an accident on a school bus, whether or not fully loaded, could compromise both comfort and the safety of students.

General List of Items Not Permitted on the School Bus:

footwear with cleats and/or spikes

skateboards/scooters

large instruments (other instruments must be able to fit safely on the student’s lap or along side the student and not obstructing the aisle)

hockey sticks, golf clubs

large equipment bags

skis/poles

any pole type objects or sticks

large school projects that will not rest easily next to or on the student’s lap

pets, live animals, reptiles, bugs, etc.

plants, flowers

                    water guns