Bus Rules
TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURES AND SAFETY RULES
Safety Rules – Waiting For/Departing Bus
Be on time at your designated bus stop.
Students shall be at their assigned stops
FIVE minutes before the bus is scheduled to depart. The bus cannot wait for those who are tardy. Board and exit the bus only at your designated stop each day.
Do not play in the street or on private property. Wait for the bus in a safe place – well off the roadway.
Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before walking up to the bus to board. Once the bus has come to a complete stop and the door is opened, enter in an orderly manner. Go to your seat immediately. (Traffic has stopped for student loading, so it should be done as quickly and safely as possible.)
When loading at school, all students must be on their bus by departure time. For safety, once the driver has closed the door, and the buses have started to roll, students will not be allowed to get on their bus. Do not run after the bus.
After leaving the bus, cross at a designated street crossing where possible. If a designated street crossing is not available, walk approximately 10 feet in front of the bus and wait until your driver ensures that it is safe and instructs you to cross. Do not cross behind the bus.
Safety Rules – On the Bus
Follow all instructions from the school bus driver. Treat everyone (school bus driver, motoring public and fellow passengers) with courtesy and respect. Inappropriate conduct, use of objectionable language, or abuse of others is unacceptable.
All passengers are required to wear seat belts (if equipped).
Do not extend objects, hands or head out the bus window. Serious injury could result.
Remain quiet and orderly. Students may be assigned to a specific seat. Stay seated; seat to seat, back to back. Do not distract the driver. Keep the aisle clear. Talk quietly while on the bus. Be totally silent at all railroad crossings and major intersections.
Keep your belongings in your backpack. Items NOT allowed on the bus: illegal drugs, animals, balloons, laser pointers, weapons, explosive items, any tobacco products, vapor devices, matches, lighters or any item that is a health or safety hazard. The driver has authority to secure all objects.
Special Considerations. Eating and/or drinking on the bus is prohibited unless it is due to a medical need. Musical instruments will only be transported when space is available and they can be transported safely. Vandalism to the bus will be charged to the student and/or the parent/guardian.
Additional information: Violations of school bus rules will be handled on an individual basis between rider and driver. If a problem continues, parents will be contacted and actions taken by school officials and/or the Transportation Department. Immediate loss of transportation may occur depending on the severity of the violation. Remember, school bus transportation is a privilege, not a right; school bus transportation can be suspended for willful misconduct or endangering the overall safety of the school bus, its occupants or others.
Audio/Video Recording Audio and Video recording will be conducted on the bus. Students will not be notified when a recording device has been installed and is in use. Recordings will be treated as protected student records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
When Suspended From The Bus The driver or a supervisor from the Transportation Department will contact the parents/guardians to inform them of the suspension details and duration. This is not a suspension from school or an excused absence from school. Parents/guardians will be responsible for their child's transportation to and from school. A copy of the Student Misconduct form will be emailed to school administration and parents/guardians (when an email is available). NOTE: Immediate loss of transportation privileges may occur depending on the severity of the violation. (May include but is not limited to: weapons on the bus, drugs, physical violence, vandalism, actions that may adversely impact the safety of others, etc.) These violations may be subject to additional school/district administrative and/or disciplinary action.
Students Not Met at the Bus Parents are encouraged to teach their children how to get to the bus stop and home again. By doing so, the student learns where they live and do not have to be met by an adult.
Kindergarteners and 1st graders are required to have a parent/guardian present to receive their student at their PM stop location.
For those who have stated they need to be present for their student to get off of the school bus, we will honor those desires. However, there are times when the adult who is supposed to meet the student is late or does not arrive at the bus stop five minutes prior to the bus stop scheduled time. Should this happen, or should your student refuse to get off the bus at their scheduled stop, the following process will be put into place:
- The driver will inform the dispatch office of the missing parent for the student.
- The bus will continue on route with the student on board.
- The Transportation dispatch office will call the parent or assigned adults listed as contacts to let them know where and when they can meet the bus, which normally will be at the next school served or at an agreed upon bus stop along the path of the bus route.
- In the event there is no answer, dispatch staff will continue to call in order to do their best to reach designated contacts.
- If the designated contacts do not respond, the student will remain on the bus as it returns to the bus parking lot located at 5240 Geiger Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80915. The dispatch office number is (719) 520-2943.
If the student is not picked up by a designated contact by 5:30 PM, the student will be turned over to the Colorado Springs Police Department for safety precautions. At that time, the Transportation Department will turn over all further activity to the CSPD.
It is of the utmost importance that parents/guardians be present to receive their student(s) so the operation continues to reach other stops and schools on time. The continuation of parents/guardians not being present at their students PM stop on time may prompt the Transportation Department to make adjustments that could affect your students PM transportation needs.