School bus safety

As parents, you are an important part of a continual safety program for children who travel by school bus. Learning to be safe pedestrians as well as safe riders, when on a bus is a necessity. 

Have your children place everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so things won't drop along the way. Wearing bright contrasting colors allows a child to be more easily seen. Also a piece of florescent and retro reflective material attached to their backpack is an option.

Leaving home on time insures on time arrival at the bus stop, and reduces the chance of running as that can be dangerous. We ask that all students be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled pick up time.

Accompany young children to the bus stop and have older children walk in groups. There's safety in numbers because groups are easier for drivers to see. Practice good pedestrian behavior along the way: 

• Walk on the sidewalk if there is one.
• If no sidewalk, stay out of the street if at all possible.  
• If you must walk in the street, walk single file, face the traffic and stay as close to the edge of the road as you can.
• Stop and look left, right and left again if you must cross a street. Do the same thing at driveways.
• While at the bus stop, encourage your child not to play running games or push or shove others.
• Students are to stand 6 feet (3 giant steps) from the road while waiting for the bus. Have younger children practice taking 3 giant steps.
• Teach children to stand where they are visible to the diver. Street signs and light poles block our view, especially in the dark.
• Remind them to be respectful of others and of others property. No throwing rocks or leaving trash. Be mindful of their voice, someone may be sleeping.

  Instruct children not to approach the bus until the driver says it's safe to enter, or the door opens.  Children will be able to see the driver and the driver can see them. If crossing the street is necessary, remind them to wait for the driver to signal that it's safe to cross. They should cross the street 10 feet (5 giant steps) in front of the bus where they can see the driver and the driver can see them.

Side: 6 Feet

  Front: 10 Feet

• When children enter or exit use the handrail; a fall on the stairs can be painful.
• Sit down immediately, this allows others on safely and in a timely manner.
• Warn children that if they drop something near the bus, they should never ever pick it up. Instead they should tell the bus driver and follow the driver's directions. If they bend over to pick up a dropped object they might not be seen by the driver and could be hurt if the driver pulls away from the stop.
•  A reminder to kids to look before they step off the bus, drivers in a hurry sometimes try to sneak by buses on the right. Loose drawstrings and other objects can sometimes get caught in the handrail or door, teach children to secure things before they get up to exit the bus.  
• If your child needs to ride home with someone else or get off at another stop on their route, give a note of authorization to your child to give to their teacher. A pass will be given to your child from the office indicating the change.  The driver isn't allowed to let a child off the bus at another stop with our written permission.
• When meeting your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street. Children can be so excited at seeing you after school that they dash across the street and forget safety rules.
• It is district practice for Kindergarten students to be met at the bus door by a parent, guardian or person authorized in writing by the parent or guardian. Authorization forms available from the driver.  

  Remind your children to be good bus riders. They should :

  ·   Talk quietly.

  ·   Be courteous to the bus driver and follow the driver's direction.

  ·   Keep their body inside the bus. Trees, trucks, utility poles have caused bad injuries to children hanging out the windows.

·   You are responsible for your actions. Respect others' space; no touching, hitting, pinching, or action that you would not like to happen to you.

·    Keep the aisle clear. If there is an emergency, a clean bus means no tripping and a safe evacuation.

·   Stay seated for the entire bus ride.

Your child's safety is our priority while traveling to and from school. If we all work together to follow these rules a safe ride will be accomplished .