Student Bus Conduct
The following guidelines shall govern student conduct on school buses:
1. In general, school buses are extensions of the classroom, and standards of students conduct similar to those that apply in the classroom shall apply to conduct on school buses.
2. The bus driver is in charge of the bus. The driver’s and/or bus attendant’s instructions are to be obeyed promptly by all passengers. Upon boarding the bus, students will select a seat and remain seated for the duration of the trip. Drivers may assign seats when they feel it is necessary.
3. No students shall board a bus with an object which cannot be held on his or her lap or between his or her knees. Students shall not bring objects which are a potentially dangerous or distracting to other students or the driver. Prohibited objects include, but are not limited to, the following;
a. Glass objects
b. Weapons
c. Explosive devices
d. Live animals
e. Oversized musical instruments
f. Oversized athletic equipment with the exception of lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, baseball and softball bats.
g. In-line or roller skates, scooters and skateboards
h. Decorative items suspended from backpack or article of clothing that are more than three inches in length.
i. Balloons
4. Students are required to report to their assigned bus and scheduled route unless the student has received prior authorization from a building administrator. All changes shall be submitted in writing by the student’s parent/guardian to the respective administrative office prior to 1:00 PM. 5. Students should walk directly and safely to their assigned bus stop and are to be there at least five minutes before the scheduled pick-up. The bus is not required to wait. They should be dressed appropriately for the weather. Bright colors improve their visibility, especially in bad weather or during months with reduced daylight hours.
6. Students should wait quietly at the stop and stay 15 feet away from the side of the road. When the bus is in sight, they should get in a single line, still 15 feet from the road.
7. Once the bus has stopped and the bus driver signals them to load, they should proceed to cross or load directly in an orderly manner, walking not running, using the handrail.
8. Student’s actions that have the effect of distracting the driver or otherwise interfering with the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle in a safe manner are prohibited. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. Extending or throwing objects within or out of the bus
b. Harassing or fighting with other passengers
c. Extending head, hands, arms or legs out of the bus windows
d. Operating or otherwise tampering with emergency exits*
e. Eating, drinking, smoking, and using drugs or alcohol.
f. Creating excessive noise, including verbal abuse of fellow passengers and the use of profanity.
g. Causing damage to the vehicle (students responsible for damages will be billed for repair costs)*
h. Tampering with the vehicle’s operating or safety controls*
i. Obstructing the driver’s vision or impairing the driver’s ability to hear
j. Threatening, verbally abusing, attacking or swearing at the driver or bus attendant
*New York State Department of Transportation requires all school buses to be presented for a DOT safety inspection every 6 months. Each bus goes through an extensive, thorough inspection to assure that it meets all DOT standards before it is permitted to transport students.
Destruction and abuse of the bus interior and safety equipment (seats, emergency door stickers, seat belts, emergency window handle etc.) not only cost the District to repair but compromises the safety of the bus at the time and puts the bus out of service per DOT regulations.
For questions regarding transportation please call the Transportation Office at 746-3574.