Crosby Independent School District Bus Rider's Safety Handbook

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 materials in this handbook with their children. Riding a school bus is a privilege provided by the school district and should be treated as such.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

1. The bus driver is in charge of students on the bus. Students shall follow the driver’s directions in regards to bus safety rules and bus operations at all times.
2. Only authorized personnel and eligible students assigned to a specific bus are permitted to ride that bus. Students WILL NOT be allowed to ride any bus other that their assigned bus. Students will be transported to / from designated stop and to / from designated school only. Designated stops are assigned by the Transportation Department based on the student’s recorded home address.

3. Buses will stop at designated stops only. Students are to arrive at their stop (10) minutes before their pick up time. Students will wait next to (but not in) the street, driveway or parking lot. Students must wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before approaching to board or standing to exit the bus. Drivers cannot wait past the designated pickup time.

4. Stay in your seat and face the front. Students will remain properly seated at all times and not block the center aisle (facing forward keeping feet on the floor in front of them). All students will remain inside their seat compartment at all times. All students will be assigned a seat.

5. Students are not allowed to consume food, drink or tobacco products on the bus. (Exception: During extreme heat, drivers may allow students to consume water only in plastic containers). Glass containers are prohibited on the bus.

6. Students are not to engage in loud talking, yelling, using profanity, abusive or inappropriate language, displaying obscene gestures or gang signs. The bus driver may require any or all students to be silent on the bus.

7. Scuffling, shoving, hitting or fighting is prohibited on the bus and at designated bus stops. Zero tolerance will be applied. Students must keep all body parts and personal objects from contacting another student.

8. Damage to personal items are not covered by the district’s insurance company. We will not be responsible for items carried on the bus if lost, stolen or damaged.

9. Students are not allowed to bring insects, animals or harmful objects on the bus (i.e., weapons, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, fireworks, laser lights, etc.).

10. Band instruments or class projects are allowed on Crosby ISD buses provided they can be held by the student (not taller than shoulder or seat high), fit in the seat with the student, do not interfere with the availability of seating for other students or bus operation. In the event that any of these conditions exist, parents will be responsible for an alternative means of transporting their child’s instrument and / or project to and from school.

11. Students shall not deface or vandalize the bus or related equipment. Students who violate this rule will be required to pay for damages.

12. No spitting. No student shall cause their body fluids to make contact with other persons and / or common objects on the bus.

13. Littering or throwing items inside or from the bus is prohibited.

14. Students are not to engage in verbal or physical behavior that constitutes Sexual Harassment of another person.

15. Students shall comply with the Crosby ISD dress code on all buses.

16. Students are not to engage in any other conduct that disrupts the safe operation of the bus.

17. Students must keep their hands, head, feet and personal objects inside the bus at all times. No yelling or communication out of a window.

18. Bus rider rules apply to all school sponsored events.

19. Students are not allowed to use electronic devices while riding on a bus. “Use” is defined as having a device that is turned on, emits an audible signal, vibrates, displays a message, or otherwise summons, delivers or receives a communication to the possessor.

Student consequences for violation of this policy: Electronic devices will be confiscated and the parent has the option of paying &15.00 cash fee to retrieve the device early or it will be held in the office for a period of 7-Days and will then be released to the parent. Refusal to give the device to the driver will result in a bus referral. Repeated incidents of the same offense will result in additional consequences.

LOADING & UNLOADING PROCEDURES

PROCEDURES FOR WAITING FOR THE BUS

1. Be at your stop ten minutes before scheduled pick-up time.

2. Students will wait next to (but not in) the street, driveway or parking lot.

3. When the bus approaches, form a line and be prepared to load immediately.

4. Stand clear of the bus until it comes to a complete stop.

5. If you miss the bus, go home immediately.

6. Parents / guardians should instruct their children on what procedures to follow if the bus is missed.

LOADING THE BUS

1. Scuffling, shoving, hitting or fighting is prohibited on the bus and at designated bus stops. Zero Tolerance will be applied. Students must keep all body parts and personal objects from contacting another student.

2. Use the handrail and steps.

3. Go directly to your assigned seat and sit down. The bus will not move until all students are seated.

4. Any or all students may be assigned a seat.

5. Board and leave the bus at designated stops only.

GETTING OFF THE BUS

1. Stay seated until the bus is completely stopped.

2. Use the handrail and take one step at a time when leaving the bus.
3. Wait for your turn to leave the bus. Pushing and crowding will only slow exiting and may cause an accident.

4. Stay clear of the bus when the engine is running. Do not chase or hang on to the bus at any time.

5. If an 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 to help.

6. All students should exit the bus and immediately take several steps away from the bus.

7. It is the parents responsibility to insure younger students are not left unattended at bus stops.

8. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will not be dropped off unless an approved parent / guardian or adult is in view to receive the student, otherwise the student will be returned to his / her school campus or the Crosby ISD Operations Center located at 14670 FM 2100, Phone# 281-328-9247 or 281-328-9248.

CROSSING THE STREET OR HIGHWAY

1. All students living on the left side of the roadway shall exit the bus and move to a point 10 to 12 feet in front of the right corner of the bus and wait for the driver to signal you that it is safe to cross.

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 or unloading students.

5. Cross all streets at intersections. Obey all traffic signals and signs on your way home.

K – 4^th Grades Bus Behavior Guidelines

Minor Offenses

1. Excessive noise

2. Excessive Horse Play

3. Eating / drinking / littering on the bus

4. Leaving seat / standing without driver permission

5. Riding unassigned bus or using unassigned bus stop

6. Disobedient to the driver

7. Use of a cell phone, ipod, cd player etc. on the bus

8. Other offenses as reported to the driver or principal

K – 4^th Grade CONSEQUENCES

Minor Offense

1^st Documented Verbal Warning & Parent Contact

2^nd Documented Verbal Warning & Parent Conference

3^rd Written Warning & Parent Conference

4^th Refer to Campus Administrator

Serious Offenses

1. Hanging out of windows

2. Throwing / shooting of any object

3. Physical aggression against any person

4. Possession / use of tobacco or any controlled substance

5. Vandalism to bus (restitution will be made prior to reinstatement of bus privalesges)

6. Holding onto or attempting to hold onto any portion of the exterior of the bus

7. Lighting of matches, lighters or any flammable object or substance**

8. Unauthorized entering or leaving bus through emergency door / tampering with bus equipment

9. Possession or threat of weapons, explosives, flammables, and play weapons**

10. Possession / use of laser pens or pointers

11. Spitting on or at another person

12. Threatening or Bullying another student / Sexual Misconduct

13. Profanity, verbal abuse, racial slurs, harassment, obscene gestures or possession of unacceptable material

14. Other offenses as reported by the driver or principal

**The bus is an extension of the school day. Bus consequences may be supersede by Crosby ISD policy. The bus driver has the authority to assign seats. The harassment and weapons policies of Crosby ISD will be strictly enforced on the school bus as well as at school.

Indicates automatically referred to campus principal

K – 4^th Grade CONSEQUENCES

Serious Offense

1^st Documented Warning / Counseling or Bus Suspension 1-3 Days

2^nd Written Warning / Counseling / Detention / Bus Suspension 1-5 Days / Parent Contact

3^rd Bus Suspension 3-10 Days or BIC Assignment or Detention

4^th Bus Suspension 5-10 Days or Remainder of Year

5^th – 12^th Grades Bus Behavior Guidelines

Minor Offenses

1. Excessive noise

2. Horse Play / Mischief

3. Eating / drinking / littering on the bus without driver permission

4. Leaving seat / standing without driver permission

5. False Identification

6. Riding unassigned bus or using unassigned bus stop

7. Riding or attempting to ride any bus during a bus suspension

8. Disobedient to the driver

9. Use of a cell phone, ipod, cd player etc. on the bus

10. Other offenses as reported to the driver or principal

5^th – 12^th Grade CONSEQUENCES

Minor Offense

1^st Documented Verbal Warning & Parent Contact

2^nd Documented Verbal Warning & Parent Conference

3rd Refer to Campus Administrator

Serious Offenses

1. Hanging out of windows

2. Throwing / shooting of any object

3. Physical aggression against any person

4. Possession / use of tobacco or any controlled substance

5. Vandalism to bus (restitution will be made prior to reinstatement of bus privileges)

6. Holding onto or attempting to hold onto any portion of the exterior of the bus

7. Possession / use of laser pens or pointers

8. Unauthorized entering or leaving bus through emergency door / tampering with bus equipment

9. Possession or threat of weapons, explosives, flammables, and play weapons**

10. Any offense committed on any bus outside of regular transportation to and from school (activity, field trip, shuttle, etc.)

11. Spitting on or at another person

12. Lighting of matches, lighters or any flammable object or substance

13. Threatening or Bullying another student / Sexual Misconduct

14. Profanity, verbal abuse, racial slurs, harassment, obscene gestures or possession of unacceptable material

14. Other offenses as reported by the driver or principal

**The bus is an extension of the school day. Bus consequences may be superseded by Crosby ISD policy. The harassment and weapons policies of Crosby ISD will be strictly enforced on the school bus as well as at school.

Indicates automatically referred to campus principal

5th – 12^th Grade CONSEQUENCES

Serious Offense

1^st Warning / Counsel / ISS / Parent Contact / Bus Suspension

2^nd Warning / Counsel / ISS / Parent Contact / Bus Suspension

3^rd Warning / Counsel / ISS / Parent Contact / Bus Suspension

4th Warning / Counsel / ISS / Parent Contact / Bus Suspension

TRANSPORTATIONBUS NUMBERSDEPARTMENT PERSONNEL

	©2001-2002 CROSBY ISD TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT. All rights reserved. Site Design and development by Crittersoft Internet Services