Safe Ride

Safe Ride

  

Bus Expectations

Parents and Bus Riders

The goal of this Bus Rider’s Handbook is to help provide a safe and enjoyable experience for children and adults who ride school buses. Parents should take time to read and discuss the material in this handbook with their children. Riding a school bus is a privilege provided by the school district and should be treated as such.

BADGE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BUS

Scholars may begin utilizing their ID badge for loading and departing the bus upon issue. 
The following guidelines will fully take effect starting on the 10th day of school, which is August 27th.  

BOARDING THE BUS
 

With badge

  1. Scholars must have badges on a lanyard, which must be visible at all times. 
  2. Scholars must scan their badge with the RFID reader located in the step-well area of the bus.
  3. Driver will verify that the scholar is approved to ride via the tablet.

Without badge at bus stop

  1. If the scholar does not have a badge before school, the driver will manually enter the scholar by their name or i.d. number and the scholar will be allowed to board the bus after verifying the campus they attend. The driver will kindly remind him/her that they must have a badge to board the bus. Scholars will not be left at the AM bus stop if he/she does not have a badge.

  Without a badge at the campus

  1. If a scholar does not have a badge after school, he/she must obtain a temporary bus pass from the campus office before coming to the bus to board.

  2. Scholars arriving at the bus for PM routes without a badge or temporary badge will be required to obtain one or the other before boarding the bus.

  3. Drivers/Monitors must consult their supervisor/dispatcher before denying transportation to any scholar at any time.

EXITING THE BUS
 

With badge

  1. Scholars must have badges on a lanyard, which must be visible at all times. 
  2. Scholar will use the badge scanner to show they have exited the bus
  3. The driver will be notified via the tablet if the stop is the assigned stop for the scholar
  4. Without badge (with a temporary badge) 
  5. Bus driver will manually disembark the scholar indicating where the scholar exited the bus and collect the temporary badge


Scholars will be permitted to use a temporary badge for three (3) consecutive days before being required to purchase a replacement badge.  Replacement badges are available from the campus office/registrar/attendance clerk.   Immediately upon issuance of a new (replacement) badge, the old badge will be deactivated and rendered invalid.

General Safety Rules

  1. Scholars are under the authority of the Duncanville Independent School
  2. District. Scholars will follow the instructions of the driver. At no time will a scholar address the bus driver in a disrespectful manner.
  3. Scholar Identification: All scholars will wear their scholar I.D. and present it when asked by a driver.
  4. Load and unload the bus at designated stops only.
  5. Only scholars who are eligible to ride may be transported and must ride their assigned bus in the assigned seat.
  6. Scholars SHALL not ride on another bus with a friend. Most buses are at capacity.
  7. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide transportation to school if a child misses the bus.
  8. If a bus is equipped with passenger seatbelts, each passenger must wear it while the bus is in motion.

Procedures for Scholars Waiting for the Bus

  1. Be at your bus stop five minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. The driver cannot wait or honk for riders.
  2. The driver may not pick up scholars unless they are at their designated bus stop.
  3. Stand on the sidewalk or stand back from the roadway while waiting for the bus.
  4. When you see the bus, form a line, and prepare to load immediately.
  5. Stand clear of the bus until it comes to a complete stop.
  6. Scholars who miss the bus should go home immediately.
  7. Do Not run after a bus for any reason.
  8. Parents should instruct their children on what procedures to follow if they miss the bus.
  9. Scholars will abide by the school rules and regulations concerning bus scholars, including conduct and dress code.

Loading the Bus

  1. Do not push or shove.
  2. Use handrail and steps.
  3. Go to your assigned seat. Fasten seatbelt, if equipped. The bus will not move until all scholars are seated and secure.

Conduct on the bus

  1. Remain seated with a seatbelt fastened while the bus is moving.
  2. Scholars will remain in their seat until instructed otherwise by the driver.
  3. A scholar shall not refuse to sit in an assigned seat or deny another a place to sit.
  4. Each scholar will be expected to remain seated with a seatbelt fastened for the duration of the trip and remain seated until the door opens.
  5. Normal conversation is permitted; loud noises/music may distract the driver, causing unsafe conditions.
  6. Scuffling, fighting, the use of obscene, vulgar, or profane language or gestures is strictly prohibited and may constitute suspended bus privileges. The appropriate personnel may be called in regards to any fight on the school bus.
  7. Do not spit or throw any object inside or outside the bus.
  8. Do not mark, cut or scratch any part of the bus. Vandalism costs will be charged to the person or persons who are responsible including poking, tearing, or ripping any areas that may not have been repaired from previous vandalism still being addressed.
  9. The emergency door and exit controls should be used by pupils only during supervised drills or actual emergencies.
  10. Scholars shall face forward for the duration of the trip, keeping their feet on the floor in front of them and out of the aisle.
  11. Scholars will not extend any part of their body or extend any article out of the window whether the bus is in motion or not.

Exiting the Bus

  1. Stay seated and seatbelt fastened until the bus is completely stopped.
  2. Be sure to remove all personal items upon exiting.
  3. Wait your turn to leave the bus. Pushing and crowding will only slow exiting and may cause an accident.
  4. No scholar is allowed to get off at a stop other than their assigned stop on their assigned route.
  5. If any article drops or rolls near or under the bus, do not go after it. Go to the door of the bus and ask the driver for assistance once the bus is no longer in motion.
  6. All Pre-K and kindergarten scholars must have a parent, listed approved adult or sibling present at the bus stop in order for the younger scholar to be released from the bus. If no adult or sibling is present, or if the parent or listed approved adults cannot be contacted, the scholar(s) will be returned to their home campus for pick up. Every driver has a roster of their scholars and their listed bus stops to assist in drop-off verification.

Crossing the Street or Roadway

  1. All scholars living on the left side of the roadway shall exit the bus, move to a point 10-12 feet in front of the right bumper, and wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to cross.
  2. Check-in both directions and walk directly across the road.
  3. Never cross the road behind the bus.
  4. CAUTION! Be alert for vehicles that do not stop when the bus is loading and unloading scholars.
  5. Cross all streets at intersections. Obey all traffic signals and signs on your way home.

Prohibited Items

  1. Tobacco, vaporizers, electronic cigarettes, drugs, or drug paraphernalia.
  2. Live animals or insects.
  3. Glass containers.
  4. Alcoholic beverages.
  5. Weapons, explosives (such as fireworks), knives, water guns, laser pens or pointers. Any unsheathed pointed article(s) or object(s) that could be considered dangerous to the safety of the scholars and the driver.
  6. Scholars will keep the aisle clear. Any articles (projects, band, sports equipment, instruments, etc.) too large to be held in the scholar’s lap or impose on others will not be allowed on the bus.
  7. Matches, cigarette lighters
  8. Scholars will not eat or drink on the school bus. Bottles or cans whether full or empty will not be allowed on any bus with the exception of bottled water.
  9. Drivers and school officials are not responsible for articles left on the bus.

Accidents or Emergencies

  1. Follow the bus driver’s instructions.
  2. If scholars must leave the bus, stay in a group.
  3. The following procedures will be used for evacuation in an emergency situation: A. The scholar nearest the door will open the door and hold it open.
    1. Leave the bus in a single file as quickly and as quietly as possible.
    2. Evacuation will start with the scholar chosen by the driver.
    3. Once outside the bus, follow the driver’s instructions at all times.

Extra-Curricular Trips

  1. Bus rider rules apply to all school-sponsored events.
  2. Discipline on the bus will be the responsibility of the school principal and the trip sponsor.
  3. The bus must be kept clean and free of any articles left behind upon return.

Video

  1. Six video cameras with sound are used on each bus with live access.
  2. Video recordings will be viewed by the Transportation Student Management Supervisor, Director of Transportation, School Principals, and Administration Personnel only.
  3. Video tapes or copies will not be released from the Transportation Office.
DISCIPLINE

The school bus is an extension of the classroom. All rules that apply in the classroom apply to the bus. The discipline will be administered by the Transportation Student Management Supervisor. All school board policies that apply to scholar conduct and other scholar-related activities apply to the school bus.

Suspensions from receiving transportation services can carry over to the next school year. Transportation is not provided for any scholar assigned to the Summit Education Center. The bus and the bus stop area are considered an extension of the regular classroom, and the area around the bus stop is considered school property.  Any violation of the Student 
Code of Conduct while on the bus or near a bus stop will result in a disciplinary consequence.

Levels and consequences for improper conduct on the bus include the following:

Level I Conduct behaviors:

  1. Very loud talking, screaming
  2. Using inappropriate language
  3. Speaking in a way that teases, hurts or harasses others
  4. Failure to keep the bus clean
  5. Eating or drinking on the bus without the permission of the driver (water is permitted in a proper container during the extreme heat of the summer months) 
  6. Failure to follow the bus driver’s instructions when they are given

Consequences of Level I Misbehavior

Parent notification and one or more of the following:

  1. Warning (written or verbal)
  2. Assigned to another seat
  3. Consultation with campus administrator

The Transportation Student Management Supervisor at their discretion may increase the consequence of any level of misconduct.

Level II Conduct behaviors:
  1. Failure to be seated when the bus is moving
  2. Failure to keep seatbelt fastened during bus operation
  3. Failure to keep hands, head or feet inside the bus
  4. Throwing any object inside the bus or out of the bus
  5. Vandalizing the bus or others' personal property
  6. Inappropriate scholar-to-scholar sexual contact or harassment
  7. Inappropriate conversations initiated by the scholar toward the bus driver/attendant
  8. Hitting, punching, kicking or physically assaulting another scholar or driver
  9. Continuation of Level I behavior

Consequences of Level II Misbehavior

Transportation will send a referral to the campus

Reimbursement of damages to property – riding privileges will not resume until payment or a payment agreement has been made.

  1. 1st referral – warning up to 3 days bus riding suspension
  2. 2nd referral – 10 days bus riding suspension
  3. 3rd referral – 15 days bus riding suspension
  4. 4th referral – semester bus riding suspension
  5. 5th referral – discipline at the discretion of the campus administrator

The Transportation Student Management Supervisor at their discretion may increase/decrease the consequence of any level of misconduct.

Level III Conduct (Severe) behaviors:

  1. Weapons
  2. Matches or lighters
  3. Controlled substances, including drugs, alcohol, and tobacco
  4. Continuation of Level II behavior

Consequences of Level III Misbehavior

Transportation will send a referral to the campus:

  1. 5 days suspended riding privileges or longer (to be determined by the Transportation Student Management Supervisor)
  2. Suspended riding privileges for the remainder of the current school semester or year