SAFE PROCEDURES FOR SCHOOL BUS RIDERS

 

ROLE OF THE PARENTS

            Parents should understand their responsibility in working with the bus driver and the school system personnel for the welfare and safety of their children.  Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating a cooperative relationship with the bus driver through courteous communication and regularly reminding students to follow rules and procedures.

 

PARENTS OR DESIGNEE    

  1. Provide the driver with the appropriate phone numbers and emergency number(s).  Provide the bus driver with pertinent written information regarding any special care the student may need while on the bus.  Notify the school and the bus driver immediately if any telephone numbers have been changed or disconnected.
  2. Ensure that the student meets acceptable hygiene standards before boarding the bus.
  3. Have the child at the designated bus stop at the regularly scheduled time and provide the necessary supervision until the bus arrives.
  4. Secure the child into any specialized carrying equipment before the child boarding the bus. Equipment must be in safe working order.
  5. Meet the bus upon its return to the designated bus stop at the scheduled time.
  6. Make a reasonable and timely effort to notify the bus driver prior to the beginning of the morning run if the child is unable to attend school.
  7. Help keep the area to and from the loading area clear of obstacles and all necessary debris.
  8. Help keep bus turnarounds and lanes clear of parked vehicles and garbage cans to provide easy access to bus stops.
  9. Call the school in case of a serious emergency that might prevent the parent from meeting the child at the bus, and give the name of the person who will meet the child in place of the parent.  The school will give this information to the driver.  The name of the person should be on the emergency information form.
  10. Provide transportation to and from schooled suspension from the bus is authorized.
  11. Cooperate with school and bus driver in teaching children safety precautions, good manners and habits for school bus passengers.  Assist when there are disciplinary problems.
  12. Be familiar with and follow local board and school level policies for school bus transportation.

 

RULES FOR SCHOOL BUS RIDERS

            A school bus with undisciplined passengers is a hazardous bus.  Student misbehavior can lead to accidents.  The driver must concentrate on the driving task at hand and cannot be expected to constantly supervise the students while the bus is in motion.  Therefore, for the safe operation of the school bus, students should be aware of and obey the following safety rules as a minimum:

  1. Cooperate with the driver (your safety depends on it).
  2. Be on time. The bus will not wait.
  3. Cross the road cautiously when waiting for and leaving the bus.
  4. Follow drivers instructions when waiting for and leaving the bus.
  5. Remain quiet enough not to distract the driver.
  6. Have written permission authorized by the Principal to get off at a stop other than your own.
  7. Be courteous, be safety conscious, protect your riding privilege, enjoy the ride.
  8. Remain seated at all times when the bus is in motion.
  9. Do not extend arms, head or other objects out of windows and doors.
  10. Do not throw objects in the bus or out of windows and doors.
  11. Do not use the emergency door except for emergencies.
  12. Do not eat or drink on the bus.
  13. Do not damage the bus in any way.  Do not mark on, take apart, cut, tear, or abuse the bus interior or the seat covers. Help keep your bus clean.
  14. Do not use or possess the following items on the bus: alcohol, illegal drugs, pets (cats, dogs, etc.), glass objects (expect eyeglasses), weapons (including knives), and objects too large to be held in your lap or placed under your seat.
  15. Do not use the following items on the bus: tobacco, matches, cigarette lighters, obscene materials.
  16. Keep the center aisle clear of feet, books, or objects that may obstruct the walkway.
  17. Keep your hands, feet, and possessions yourself.
  18. Be quiet and well behaved.
  19. The Tangipahoa Parish School System has a three tenth (3/10) of a mile walking distance for its students.

 

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW WHILE WAITING FOR AND BOARDING THE BUS

  1. Be at your designated bus stop at least five minutes before the normal arrival time of your bus.
  2. Wait quietly on the sidewalk or if a sidewalk is not present, wait at least three giant steps (6 feet) off the roadway.
  3. Avoid pushing, shoving, fighting or rough play while waiting at the bus stop.
  4. Be careful of private property such as flowerbeds, shrubs, etc.
  5. Beware of moving vehicles and pedestrians exhibiting unusual behavior.
  6. When the bus arrives, board the bus according to your driver’s instructions.
  7. Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver gives the instruction to begin loading.
  8. Board the bus in a single file and avoid pushing and shoving.
  9. Be careful when stepping up on slick steps in rainy weather.
  10. Use the bus handrails at all times when boarding the bus.
  11. If you have to cross the roadway to board the bus, cross in front of the bus at least five giant steps (10 feet). Wait for the driver to give you the universal-crossing signal before you begin to cross.
  12. Always look in both directions for oncoming vehicles before crossing.
  13. Never cross the roadway behind the bus.
  14. Be sure that the bus driver can see you at all times.
  15. Once on the bus proceed to your seat, sit down, and remain quiet.
  16. Seating-the bus driver is responsible for seating arrangements.  Factors such as safety, physical disabilities, age, and conduct are determining considerations.

 

RULES TO FOLLOW WHEN EXITING THE SCHOOL BUS

            (Students must have written permission signed by the principal of your school to get off at a stop other than their own.  Special Transportation request will be considered on space available basis.  Parents may request a Special Transportation Request Form from the Principal at the school that the student attends.)

 

  1. Remain in your seat until the bus arrives at your designated bus stop.
  2. Once the bus has stopped, proceed promptly and orderly to the front of  the bus.
  3. Be careful when stepping down on slick steps in rainy weather.
  4. Use the bus handrails at all times when exiting the bus.
  5. Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps are not caught in the handrails or doors.
  6. If you have to cross the roadway, cross in front of the bus.  Walk at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the side of the bus and then at least five giant steps (10 feet) in front of the bus.  Wait for the driver to give you the universal-crossing signal before you begin to cross.
  7. Always look in both directions for oncoming vehicles before crossing.
  8. Never cross the roadway behind the bus.
  9. Be sure that the bus driver can see you at all times.
  10. If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver.  Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.
  11. Walk directly home by the safest route,  Do not go to your mailbox or to a friends house.  Avoid trespassing on private property.
  12. Beware of moving vehicles and pedestrians exhibiting unusual behavior.
  13. Your bus driver will control traffic, with the school bus flashing lights and stop arm signal to insure a safe crossing.  Follow your driver’s directions and/or signals while crossing.

 

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW IN AN ACCIDENT OR AN EMERGENCY ON THE SCHOOL BUS

  1. Remain calm and encourage others to do the same.
  2. Stay in your seat until the driver tells you what to do, or until you are sure of what is the safest move to make. (Do not panic or move without thinking.)
  3. Do not touch emergency equipment or door control handles unless told to do so by the bus driver except in the case of an extreme emergency and you are the closest person to the door.
  4. Do not move injured persons unless absolutely necessary.
  5. Report any emergency to the school bus driver. (Fire, smoke, an injured or sick student, etc.).

 

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES

  1. Students should learn the emergency exits that could be used.  Emergency exits of the bus are:

a. Rear emergency door

b. Front entry door

c. Windows, windshield, large rear glass

d. Roof mounted escape hatches

  1. Leave everything on the bus.  Your life is more important than your coat, your purse, your book sack or your lunch box.
  2. If a young child cannot open the door, an older child or two small children could open it. Kick out windows if doors are blocked or stuck.
  3. Passengers closest to the exit should leave first and clear the exit quickly so others can follow.
  4. If there is a need to jump from the bus, bend your knees to cushion your landing.  Older students should offer to assist younger students when exiting.
  5. Move away from the bus to a safe area off the roadway or street.
  6. If the driver is injured, seek help from passing automobiles or from the nearest house.

Students who do  not ride a bus to and from school on a regular basis must be instructed on these procedures for extracurricular activity trips

 

DISCIPLINE

  1. Principals are responsible for handling all disciplinary problems.
  2. Students who misbehave, or do not follow instructions will be subject to disciplinary action.
  3. Bus driver actions could include counseling, parent referral, permanent seat assignment or referral to the Principal.
  4. Principals’ action could result in suspension or expulsion from riding the bus, or other action deemed appropriate for the infraction.
  5. Once a student has been suspended/expelled from one bus, the student is suspended/expelled from all buses.

 

PROPER REPORTING PROCEDURES

  1. Students who have difficulties with other students while riding the bus should report the problem to the driver.
  2. If the problem is not resolved by the driver, then it should be reported to the principal of the school that the student attends.

 

TANGIPAHOA PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM

STUDENT DISCIPLINE LADDER FOR SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

            The School bus Driver is responsible for ensuring all students adhere to the Tangipahoa Parish School System’s Bus Rules.  At the beginning of each school year and when the driver deems necessary, the driver shall read each bus behavior rule to his/her passengers, establish expectations of adherence to these rules, and explain the disciplinary process when students fail to obey.

            The following discipline steps should be  taken by the driver when students fail to obey the Tangipahoa Parish School System’s Bus Rules.

Step I – When a student fails to obey a school bus rule, the driver should give the student a verbal warning.  This warning should include the rule or rules broken, an expectation of corrective behavior, and a reminder of the next step in the discipline ladder.  At this point, the driver may reassign the student to a front seat for closer monitoring and should document the verbal warning.

 

Step II – The driver should contact the student’s parent, by phone or in writing.  The driver should inform the parents of the student’s misbehavior and seek their assistance in correcting the problem.  The driver should document that he/she had a conversation with the student’s parents.

 

Step III – The Driver should complete the Bus Behavior Form and submit it to the student’s principal.  The form should identify the child, the behavior problem, the previous discipline action taken (warning and parent conversation), and any recommended disciplinary action.  The student will receive disciplinary action at the discretion of the administration of the school.  A conference with parents, student, driver and administrator will be held if deemed necessary.

 

Step IV – The driver should complete the Bus Behavior Form as defined in Step III and submit it to the student’s principal.  A conference with the driver, student, parents, and administrator is required before the student may ride the bus again.  The student will be suspended from the bus for a minimum of three (3) days.

 

Step V – Same as Step IV, with an increase in the number of days to a minimum of five (5) days.

 

Step VI – The student is removed from the bus for a minimum of nine (9) days and until a hearing is held with a representative of the Office of Pupil Services.

 

Note:  The principal is the only one with the authority to discipline a student; a student’s behavior may warrant a direct jump to any of the above disciple steps; a student’s good behavior may move them back to lower steps.

 

Parents need to review the Tangipahoa Parish “Safe Procedures for School Bus Riders: with their children, especially the very young, to explain or elaborate on the reason for the rules or to answer any questions.

 

Your prompt return of the verification and emergency data form to your school bus driver will be greatly appreciated.

 

(Students that do not ride a bus on a regular basis should return the verification and emergency data form to the school principal)

 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

            Exclusion of students with disabilities from the bus shall be treated the same as an exclusion from school unless alternative means of transportation are provided.

            Notify your school Principal of any special medical conditions/accommodations that will affect transportation on the school bus.  The “Special Needs Bus Application & Confidential Medical Information Bus Form” must be completed for any student riding the bus requiring special accommodations.