PUPIL TRANSPORTATION DIVISION - Bus Stop Safety/Behavior
There are serious safety issues for students while waiting at the school bus stop. Students are responsible for their actions and behavior while waiting at the school bus stop. School bus transportation can be denied if students do not conduct themselves properly.
The following are essential behaviors for student safety while at the school bus stop. Students should:
- Get up and get ready on time. Arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to come.
Students have been struck by their school bus when they arrived late in the boarding process and the bus driver was unaware of their presence. The five minute target ensures the loading of the bus takes place in a routine manner, even if the student is running a couple of minutes late or the bus is running a couple of minutes early. Any break in the normal safety routine places the student in grave danger.
- Go back home and get help or phone for assistance if you miss the bus. Get someone you know to take you to school.
Never chase after the bus and never walk to another bus stop. Parents should never drive students to another bus stop. Your bus driver will not be expecting you and you will be in grave danger when approaching the unsuspecting school bus driver. It is better to be late for school and be safe!
Students have been struck by vehicles or by their school bus when they missed their bus and tried to board a school bus at an unscheduled stop. Any break in the normal safety routine places the student in grave danger.
- Have all items in your book bag before you leave home so you don’t drop anything.
Students have been struck by other vehicles when they dropped something and went after it at the bus stop or struck by their school bus when they dropped something and tried to retrieve it when getting onto the bus.
- Wait in a safe place, 12 feet away from traffic.
Students have been struck by passing vehicles at the bus stop when they got too close to traffic.
- Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger. Tell your bus driver, your teacher or your parents if a stranger tries to talk to you or pick you up.
- Respect the property of home owners at the bus stop and also keep the noise down.
- Respect the rights and safety of other students.
- Wait in a “single file” line or in an orderly group.
- Avoid horseplay.
- Refrain from pushing or shoving.
- Form an orderly line as the bus approaches, with the 1st student in line standing 12 feet away from the road.
- Keep electronic equipment packed away when preparing to board. Never use an electronic device or wear ear buds/headphones when boarding. You MUST be able to hear!
- Wait before moving to the school bus.