Student Bus Transportation
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STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES |
PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES |
| Follow safety procedures and wear seatbelts (f.s. 316.4145) when available. | Parents are encouraged to walk with their children to and from bus stops. |
| Ride only the designated bus, and only enter and exit the bus safely at designated stop, unless the school principal or designee grants prior written approval. | Parents are asked to ensure that their children arrive at bus stops at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time. |
| No glass items, animals, balloons, weapons or sharp instruments. | Parents are responsible for their children’s safety, well-being and conduct on the way to and from the bus stops and while at bus stops. |
| Remain seated in assigned seat. When seated, sit all the way down and back, facing forward with arms and heads inside the bus at all times. Keep aisles clear. | Parents are reminded to ensure that their students walk on the shoulder of the road (on sidewalks, where available) away from traffic and facing the traffic. |
| Obey rules and be courteous. Do not use profanity, cause a disruption, fight, destroy property, or disobey the driver. | Parents share responsibility for the conduct of their children, with district personnel while students are on the bus. |
| Be silent at all railroad crossing and when requested by bus driver. | Parent cooperation with school personnel regarding the effective and safe transport of their children is needed. |
| Do not throw objects on the bus or out the bus window. | Parents are encouraged to contact the school or the Transportation Department when they observe unsafe conditions of any kind. |
| Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco products on the bus. | Parents may not board school buses or attempt to conference with the bus driver at school bus stops. |
| Obey and respect the school bus driver. | A parent, or a parent designee, or older sibling must be present at the designated bus stop to allow kindergarten children to exit the bus. |
| Personal property is the responsibility of the student not school bus drivers or school administrators. | Parents may access their children only at their designated bus stop unless the principal or designee grants prior written approval. |
| A relationship of mutual respect between the school bus driver and parent is needed. |
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CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATING STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES |
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| Actions by the Bus Driver One-on-one verbal warnings to the student Changing assigned seat Written Warning to the student with a copy for the student/parent and administration Referral to Administrator |
Actions by the Administrator Administrators should always contact parents and conference with students prior to and as part of disciplinary action. First referral; work detail, ISS; up to 3 day bus suspension Second referral; up to 5 day bus suspension – Principal warning letter for CDB Third referral; Conference with Route Coordinator, Bus Driver, Parent, Administrator and Student; up to 10 day bus suspension (possible bus privileges revoked) |
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS RIDING BUSES - Posted on all school buses |
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| 1. Stand off roadway while awaiting bus. | 7. Silence is required at all railroad crossings. | |
| 2. Keep your seat at all times when bus is moving. | 8. The driver is in full charge of bus and students. Students must obey driver. | |
| 3. Keep arms and head inside windows. | 9. The driver has the right to assign students to certain seats. | |
| 4. Walk 10 feet in front of the bus. Wait for driver’s signal before crossing road. | 10. No eating, drinking or using tobacco products on the bus. | |
| 5. Unnecessary conversation with the driver is dangerous. Please remain quiet. | 11. Students must be on time; the bus cannot wait for those who are tardy. | |
| 6. Outside of ordinary conversation, classroom conduct is to be observed. | 12. Riding the bus is a privilege that can be lost. | |
PENALTY: For violating these rules students will be reported by the driver to the principal who has authority to suspend students from riding on the bus.
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BUS DRIVER RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEST PRACTICES |
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEST PRACTICES |
| Be Consistent (Have the same rules every day and enforce them every day) | Treat drivers with respect and handle all issues privately and positively. |
| Get to know your students | Show support in public and help drivers who are experiencing problems |
| Be firm and fair | Consistency is important. “What is expected” by and for drivers, students, schools, and parents should be the same from administrator to administrator and school to school. |
| Be positive (don’t bring personal issues with you. Avoid negative comments) | Route Coordinators will meet principals and discuss transportation plans in Area small groups. |
| Be understanding. (You are the first face students see. You are a powerful force to make a bad day good.) | Principals will review bus referrals and suspensions monthly to seek understanding of and solutions to problems and patterns. |
| Be on time. However, if you cannot be on time explain the reasons for the tardiness. This shows respect for students. | Administrators, and particularly principals, should meet students and drivers on bus ramps daily. |
| Use a seating chart (initially, alphabetically – assign based on student passenger list) | Have a process for referrals to be returned to drivers and have a designated and appropriate place for drivers to pick up completed referrals. |
| Implement a maximum 3-day return of the referral and strive for a one-day turn-around. Handle major problems immediately. | |
| Initiate a “Welcome Back” meeting with drivers to review plans, conduct training, and build team work. | |
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Notify bus drivers of ESE issues and medical issues (allergies, etc.) |