Students transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of and responsible to the driver of the bus. The disciplining authority of each school shall enforce the specified bus rules and regulations upon 

a referral of any school bus driver. Disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the lawful directions of the driver shall be sufficient reason to be subject to disciplinary action.

All school bus riders are subject to the provisions of the student handbook and the “Safety Rules for Riding School Buses.” This information is sent home with the student at the beginning of each school year.

Violations of the regulations listed within the Safety Rules for Riding School Buses may result in disciplining action consisting of the following: (a) a conduct notice, (b) a disciplinary notice, (c) a suspension notice for a set number of days (10 school days maximum), and (d) a suggested expulsion notice, or revocation of the privilege of participation (ridership). In addition to or in lieu of this disciplinary action, the disciplining authority may impose disciplinary measures in the nature of after school work, repair of or payment for physical damage caused by students, cleanup and/or painting of area of physical damage caused by students, or court action.

Policy EEACC-R

Pupil Rider Safety Instruction
Emergency exit drills shall be practiced by all pupil riders at least twice a year, the first occurring during the first 30 instructional days and the second in the second semester.

School Bus Rider Safety Rules

Parents or their designee must accompany young children to and from the bus stop. 8 VAC 20-70-110.

Trespassing
Any person, whether a student or not, is prohibited from entering or remaining upon any school property, including school buses, when (1) an authorized individual gives direction to vacate the property; or when (2) a notice, posted at a place where it reasonably may be seen, contains such information. Persons violating the provision may be proceeded against in court.

Bringing Bulky Items Aboard the Bus
Bulky items may be brought onto the bus as long as they can safely fit into the seating compartment and do not pose a safety hazard or occupy space needed for a rider.

Items not Permitted on the Bus
The use or possession of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, glass containers or weapons of any type are prohibited on the bus.  Further, buses may not display stickers, and for the safety of all passengers, items can not be displayed on the dashboard.

While walking to and waiting for the bus,

DO:

Take the safest route to assigned bus stop
Arrive at the bus stop no more than five minutes prior to loading bus
Wait in a safe place off the main street
Remain in the assigned loading area maintaining an orderly behavior
Wear bright clothes if there is snow, rain, or fog
Stand back from the street or road and give the bus driver room to stop

DO NOT:

• Trespass on private property or litter
• Play in the street or roadway
• Sit on the curb
• Run toward a moving bus as it approaches the bus stop or loading zone at the school

Vandalism to the bus will be paid for by those responsible and the School Board regulations regarding parent liability will been enforced.

• All pyrotechnic devices and incendiaries are banned from any school bus.
• Students may be assigned to seats and shall not be permitted to move from assigned seat except upon permission from the bus driver.
• No student is permitted to interfere with another student or to damage or destroy the property of another student.
• Bottles or glass containers are FORBIDDEN on the bus.
• No student is permitted to drink, eat or smoke on the bus.

• No cleats or other type of spikes are allowed to be worn on the bus by any students.
• Large musical instruments or other large items that cannot be carried in a book bag or held on the lap, shall not be permitted inside the bus.
• Scooters and skateboards of any type and size are prohibited on school buses.
• Cell phones, iPods, and MP3 are permitted on the bus provided they are private and do not create a driver distraction. Cell phones may be used by middle/high school students. 
• Scooters and skateboards of any type and size are prohibited on School Buses.
• Unauthorized persons are not allowed on the bus.

When boarding the bus, and before crossing the street or road,

DO:

Check the traffic in both directions
Wait until the bus driver signals to cross
Walk in front of the waiting bus
Form a single line as the bus approaches
Wait on sidewalk until bus comes to a full stop
Enter the bus single file, using handrail and let younger students enter first
Go directly to your assigned seat and remain seated

DO NOT:

Tamper with the bus or any of its equipment, including emergency equipment
Show disrespect for the bus driver, bus attendants, or other students
Cross the street behind the bus

While the Bus is in Motion,

DO:

Remain seated until the bus reaches its destination and comes to a complete stop
Keep all parts of the body and other objects inside the bus
use good sitting posture as you would in the classroom
keep the aisle clear of feet, arms, and other objects
Hold books, coats, and all other objects in lap
Talk only in a normal voice
Be quiet at railroad crossings, so the bus driver can hear railroad warning signals
Identify yourself upon the request of the bus driver or other authorized personnel

DO NOT:

Change seats
Push or roughhouse
Throw objects around in the bus or out of the window
Talk to the driver, except in an emergency
Open emergency door without the driver’s permission, except in an emergency
Show disrespect for the bus driver
Fight on the bus or at the bus stop

When the bus is unloading,

DO:

Remain seated until the driver opens the door
Permit the standees to unload first
Leave the bus in single file
Leave the bus and the unloading area promptly

DO NOT:

Push or shove
Run

If crossing the street,

DO:

Wait until bus driver gives signal to cross
Walk in front and at least 10 feet ahead of the waiting bus
Stop when even with the front of the bus, and look carefully in both directions
Cross quickly but do not run
Help smaller children to cross the road safely
Go directly to the driveway and always be in view of driver

Procedures for Handling Bus Accidents

Should a school bus be involved in an accident, the Department of Transportation follows set procedures.   Local police and paramedics are dispatched to any school bus accident with children on board, as well as a transportation supervisor. Required information is collected to file a report with our Department of Risk Management and Safety.  Should the accident occur on the way to school, the principal or designee will contact parents by phone or by letter.  If the accident occurs on the way home from school, a transportation supervisor will distribute letters to the students to advise their parent/guardian.

Related state Motor Vehicle Code impacting school bus services :

8 VAC 20-70-170 Railroad Crossing

School buses shall stop, as required by law, at railway grade crossings.  The 4-way hazard lights shall be activated when approaching the railway grade crossing and deactivated before crossing the track.  The bus driver shall turn off any noisy equipment, open the entrance door of the bus and determine when it is safe for the vehicle to cross the railroad tracks.  The entrance door shall be closed when the bus is in motion.  No stop needs to be made at any grade crossing when traffic is directed by a police officer or a green traffic -control signal as stated in Section 46.2-886 of the Code of Virginia.