Bus Safety Guidelines

General Guidelines:

1. Students must be at the bus stop five minutes prior to the published pick-up time.  
2. Students should check with the bus driver or the school principal for the p.m. bus number.
3. Students should wait 50 feet from the intersection at any bus stop.
4. Please do not ask the driver to change pick-up or drop-off times or locations.  If you have questions or concerns please contact the school and have a route adjustment request filled out and turned into the Transportation Department.  Requests will be evaluated and changes made that follow guide lines established by the State.
5. If your child will need to ride a bus other than the one to which he/she is assigned to take part in a special activity, provide your child a note for his/her principal at least one day in advance of your request.  The teacher or principal will initial the note and notify the driver.  Following this procedure helps school staff members to know where your child is in case of an emergency.
6. Take time periodically to go over the bus conduct rules as found in the student handbook. These rules are similar to what you would expect of your child(ren) when they ride in a family vehicle.
7. When you see a school bus turn on red overhead flashing lights as it stops, remember that you must stop your vehicle.  Please help us keep our students safe.
8. The guidelines that are used for establishing school bus stops have been determined by the Texas Educational Agency.  These are the guidelines used:
   High School Students may walk up to 1/2 mile to a bus stop and 2 miles to school.
   Middle School Students may walk up to 4/10 mile to a bus stop and 2 miles to school.
   Elementary School Students may walk up to 1/4 mile to a bus stop and 2 miles to school.

Student Responsibilities at the Bus Stop:

1. Be at the bus stop five minutes before the designated pick-up time. Wait 10 minutes after pick-up time before reporting a late bus.
2. Stay off the roadway while waiting for the bus. Maintain proper behavior at the stop (no pushing, shoving, fighting or inappropriate language).
3. Show respect for private property and public property at the bus stop.
4. Always cross in front of the bus and only at the driver's signal.
5. Go directly home from the bus stop at the end of school.

Student Responsibilities on the Bus:

1. Follow the instruction from the driver.
2. Bus drivers may assign seats.
3. Remain seated.
4. Enter and leave the bus only through the front door except in case of emergency and at the direction of the driver.
5. Follow rules for courteous and correct classroom behavior.
6. Do not open windows with out permission of the driver. Do not extend any part of the body out an open window.
7. Refrain from using profane, vulgar or abusive language. Do not shout at passing  persons or vehicles.
8. Spitting on, in or out of a school bus is prohibited.
9. Avoid unnecessary noise.
10. Eating, drinking, smoking or use of any illegal substance is prohibited on the bus.
11. Obscene literature is prohibited on the bus.
12. Sales or solicitation of any kind is prohibited on the bus.
13. Littering or throwing anything in or out of the bus is prohibited.
14. Animals of any kind are prohibited.
15. Weapons and unsafe-items are prohibited on the bus, as is use of any item as a weapon.
16. Do not damage the bus.  Report any damage you observe to the driver.
17. Pay for and /clean any damage you caused to the bus.
18. Fighting, pushing and shoving are prohibited on the bus.

Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians:

1. Review and discuss the above student responsibilities with your child(ren).
2. Teach your child(ren) that the driver is the person of authority on the bus and is to be respected.
3. Make sure that your child(ren) arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the designated time. Make sure that your child(ren) are not at the bus stop too early.
4. Provide supervision for your child(ren) going to and from the bus stop and at the stop, as necessary.
5. Make sure your child(ren) are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.
6. Determine if the weather is too severe for your child(ren) to wait for the bus.
7. Appear in person with your child(ren), if conference is requested.
8. Provide transportation for your child(ren) if the privilege of riding the bus is withdrawn.
9. Make reasonable effort to understand and cooperate with those responsible for student transportation.
10. Accept responsibility for the proper conduct of your child(ren).
11. Ensure that payment is made for any damage to the bus caused by your child(ren).
12. If you contact the Transportation Department by telephone please record the name of the person you spoke with. This will help to expedite follow-up contacts, if necessary.

Behaviors which are Not Acceptable

1. Refusing to obey the driver.
2. Failure to remain seated.
3. Eating or drinking on the bus.
4. Spitting.
5. Littering.
6. Physical and/or verbal abuse of the driver or another student.
7. Head, hands, and or feet out of the bus.
8. Pushing or shoving.
9. Fighting.
10. Destruction of School property.
11. Weapons on bus (a weapon is defined as anything commonly thought of as a weapon, or being used as a weapon.) will be addressed per the Fort Worth ISD Student Code of Conduct and may lead to suspension or expulsion.
12. Use or sale of any illegal substance.
13. Smoking.
14. Severe physical and or verbal abuse of another.
15. Unauthorized use of exit door.
16. Throwing things in or out of the bus.
17. Other dangerous of inappropriate behaviors.

The process for maintaining order on the buses:

First Violation: Driver gives the student a Verbal Warning and fills out a Bus Incident Report and keeps it.

Second Violation: Add information to first Bus Incident Report and turn report in to principal's office.  Recommends principal conference with student.

Third Violation:  Driver will fill out a second Bus Incident Report and turn report in to principal's office. Recommends students suspension from bus pending principal conference with parents. Suspension is totally left to the discretion of the school principal; not the bus driver.

Fourth Violation: Driver will fill out Third Bus Incident Report and turn in to principal's office. Recommends a group conference with student, parent, principal and driver.  Student may be suspended to the balance of the school year.

Students who are suspended from riding a bus cannot ride any bus during the period of suspension. The number of disciplinary steps may be altered for elementary students or severe violations.