Bus Rider's Handbook - Vidor Independent School District

VIDOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTSCHOOL BUS RIDER’S CONTRACTPage 1 of 7I have read the Bus Rider’s Handbook and agree to abide by these rules.Student Name (please print) _______________________________________________Address (Physical addressand PO box) ____________________________________________________Home Phone# _______________ Emgy# _______________ Phone# ______________Cell#________________Parent/GuardianSchool _________________________________ Grade _____ School Bus # ________Student Signature ________________________Birthday___________________Parent/Guardian Signature ___________________________________Please Note: This information form (TOP PAGE 1 ONLY) must be returned to the BUSDRIVER within two days or sooner. These figures are required by the State of Texas.Please do not change any of the wording on the form.KEEP THE CONTRACT FOR REFERENCE.Thank you.Jeanne Taylor,Transportation DirectorUpdated 09-19-12 jt

Bus Rider’s Safety HandbookPage 2 of 7Parent/Guardians and Bus Riders:The goal of the Bus Rider’s Handbook is to help provide a safe and enjoyable experience for children whoride school buses. Parent/Guardian should take time to read and discuss the material in this handbookwith their children. Riding a school bus is a privilege provided by the school district and should be treatedas such. Student information must be completed and returned to the driver within two days afterreceiving.GENERAL SAFETY RULES:1. Students are under the authority of the Vidor ISD. Students will obey and follow theinstructions of the drivers as if they are classroom teachers. At no time will a student acttoward, or address comments to a bus driver in a disrespectful manner, or refuse tocooperate with the driver.2. Board and leave the bus at designated stops only.3. Only students who are eligible to ride may be transported and must ride their assigned bus.4. Do not ask to ride home on another bus with a friend. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN RIDEANOTHER BUS OR GET OFF AT A DIFFERENT STOP IS WITH A NOTE FROMPARENT/GUARDIAN. THE NOTE MUST STATE NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE# OFWHERE THE STUDENT IS GOING AND WHAT BUS# THEY ARE TO RIDE, STUDENT’SNAME, CURRENT ADDRESS AND A PHONE NUMBER WHERE THEPARENT/GUARDIAN CAN BE REACHED. THE NOTE MUST BE SIGNED BY THEPRINCIPAL. The bus does not stop on Main Street from the Railroad Tracks to Tram Rd.except for apartment buildings.5. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation to school in the morning orhome in the afternoon if the child misses the bus.Procedure for Waiting for the Bus1. Be at your stop five minutes before scheduled pickup time. Driver will not wait or honk.2. Driver will not pick up students unless they are at their designated stop.3. Stand at the end of your driveway or if you catch at the end of a road, be visible so the driver canprepare to stop. Your regular driver will learn where you catch the bus after a couple of weeks.But, you never know when there will be a sub on your bus. Therefore, you cannot depend on thedriver watching for you. You must do your part and be VISIBLE. DO NOT HIDE, DO NOT PLAYAROUND, DO NOT GET IN THE ROADWAY. NO PUSHING, etc. YOU COULD GET HURT orMISS THE BUS.4. Stand clear of the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the loading lights activate. If you mustcross in front of the bus, watch the driver who will motion you when it’s safe to cross.5. When the bus approaches, form a line and be prepared to load immediately. Have books andother belongings together and in your hands. Promptly load the bus and go directly to your seat.The bus will not move until all students are seated.6. If you miss the bus, go home immediately. DO NOT RUN AFTER THE BUS. ONCE THE BUSSTARTS MOVING, IT WILL NOT STOP.7. Parent/Guardians should instruct their children on what procedures to follow if the bus is missed.Parent/Guardians are responsible for providing transportation to and from school if your studentmisses the bus in the morning or afternoon.8. Students riding the bus will abide by the individual school’s rules and regulations concerningstudents, including conduct and dress code.Updated 09-19-12 jt

Loading the BusPage 3 of 71. Do not push or shove.2. Use handrail and steps.3. Go to your seat. The bus will not move until all students are seated.4. Students have a designated seating area such as: Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, Second, Third,Fourth, Middle School, Jr. High, High School. There may be an assigned seating arrangement.Go immediately to your seat in your assigned area.5. DO NOT EVER RUN AFTER A BUS ONCE IT STARTS MOVING.6. If you miss the bus at your campus, you must call someone to come pick you up. DO NOT RUNafter the bus. WE WILL NOT STOP AND PICK YOU UP.Conduct on the Bus1. Students MUST be quiet at Railroad Crossings. Students MUST be quiet when the bus isentering a major roadway or highway. This is a very important safety factor. The driver must beable to hear, and not be distracted.2. Normal conversation is permitted: Talk only to your seat partner; any loud noises may distractthe driver and create an unsafe condition. Do not scream or yell.3. Remain seated while the bus is moving. Each student is expected to remain seated for theduration of the trip, and remain seated until the bus door opens at your stop.4. The bus driver may assign seats. The student will remain in that seat until instructed otherwiseby the driver. A student shall not refuse to sit in an assigned seat or deny another student aplace to sit.5. Students must sit facing forward for the duration of the trip, and must keep their feet on thefloor in front of them and out of the bus aisle. Students cannot sit on back packs nor can theyhave them behind them. Back packs must be in the lap of the student. This is a very importantsafety factor. School buses are designed with compartmentalized seats that protect thestudents from injury if there is a crash or sudden stop, if the student is seated properly.Any item you bring on the bus must fit in your lap; if it does not, you must find another way toor from school.6. Students will not extend any part of their body or any article out of the window whether the busis in motion or not.7. Do not spit or throw any object inside or outside of the bus.8. Do not mark, cut or scratch any part of the bus. Vandalism costs will be paid by the personwho is responsible. The person sitting in the seat will be responsible.9. No animals (live or dead). It does not matter if it is a school project, animals cannot be carried onthe bus. Parents/Guardians must make other transportation arrangements for student if theirproject includes animals, glass, sharp objects or if it cannot be held in the lap of the student. If astudent has a back pack, normally, there is not enough room on the bus because of limitedspace. This rule applies for morning and afternoon.10. DO NOT BLOCK THE AISLE OR EXITS. Any article (projects, band instruments, etc.) too largeto be held in the student’s lap or that impose on other riders or blocks the view of the driver willnot be allowed on the bus. IF YOU HAVE TOO MANY ITEMS, YOU MUST FIND ANOTHERWAY HOME OR TO SCHOOL.11. The emergency door and exit controls are never to be touched by students unlessinstructed by the driver to do so in the event of an extreme emergency or during anevacuation drill.12. Scuffling, fighting and the use of obscene, vulgar, or profane language and gestures areforbidden and may constitute immediate semester dismissal.13. Students must keep their hands to themselves. No pinching, hugging, or hitting. DO NOTBOTHER OR IRRITATE other people in any way.Note:If there is a fight on the school bus, and the bus is still at the campus, the students will beremoved from the bus by the principal, a teacher, or security. If route is in progress,students can be taken to transportation if needed or radio for assistance and someone willcome and remove the student. Appropriate action in regards to any fight on the schoolbus will be taken. The appropriate law enforcement agency will be called or it will beturned over to the principal in charge of the grade level involved.Updated 09-19-12 jt

Getting Off the BusPage 4 of 71. Stay seated until the bus is completely stopped.2. Use the handrail and take one step at a time.3. Wait your turn to leave the bus; pushing and crowding will only slow exiting and may cause anaccident.4. You must have a note signed from the principal to get off at a bus stop other than your own. Thenote must be given to driver when boarding the bus.5. Stay clear of the bus; when you exit, briskly walk directly to your home. Do not go to themailbox or try to continue to talk to students still on the bus.6. If any article drops or rolls near or under the bus, DO NOT GO AFTER IT. Go to the door of thebus and ask the driver for help.Crossing the Street or Highway1. Students that cross a street to load or unload must watch the driver for instructions to crosswhen safe. NEVER CROSS WITHOUT LOOKING BOTH WAYS AND YOU MUST CROSS INFRONT OF THE BUS. NEVER, NEVER CROSS IN BACK OF THE BUS.2. Students cannot cross Hwy 105 north or south, Hwy 12, Hwy 1131, and Hwy 1132. Theparent/guardian must wait for the student on the same side of the Hwy the bus lets students off,and then walk the student across the street. Under no circumstance will the student be let offunless the parent/guardian is there to receive them.Prohibited Items1. Tobacco2. Live or dead animals or insects3. Glass containers4. Alcoholic beverages5. Weapons, explosives (such as fireworks), knives, water guns, or unsheathed pointed articles,chains or any other object that could be considered dangerous or conflict with the safety of thestudents or the driver.6. Students must keep the aisles clear. Any article (projects, band instruments, etc.) too largeto be held in the student’s lap or that imposes on other riders or blocks the view of thedriver will not be allowed on the bus.7. Matches or cigarette lighters or anything that produces a spark or flame.8. Student will not eat or drink sugar drinks on any school bus. The reason students are not allowedto eat or have suckers, is a safety issue. If the bus is involved in an accident or has to make aquick stop, the student could get choked and the driver would not be able to get to the student.Drivers and school officials are not responsible for articles left on the bus.DisciplineThe school bus is an extension of the classroom. All rules that apply in the classroom carry over to thebus. The discipline will be administered by the grade level principal. All school board policies that apply tostudent conduct and other student related activities apply to the school bus.If a student is corrected several times during the bus ride, they will be assigned to a seat near the front. Ifthe students behavior does not improve a Level 1 will be written (elementary only), a copy sent home,and a copy to the principal.Level 1 – PreK-4 th grade and Middle School’s 5 th and 6 th grades only.Discipline reports are a warning to the student and a notice to parents that our bus driver needs theirhelp. A copy is sent home to the parent letting them know about the misbehavior. The parent needs tosign the level 1 and have the student return the signed copy to the bus driver. A copy is sent to thecampus principal so they will know of the warning and misbehavior.A Level 1 discipline report does not suspend the student from the bus. It is a warning, and a request forthe parents to intervene and speak to their student about their behavior.Updated 09-19-12 jt

Page 5 of 7IF student behavior does not improve, a LEVEL II discipline report will be written and the student will besent to their campus principal for discipline action. The student will not be allowed back on the bus untilhe/she has saw the principal and the pink copy, signed by the principal, has been returned to the driver.The pink copy is your ticket to get back on the bus.Elementary Discipline Bus RidersAfter a student has been warned three times:Parents will be called by driver or director. If noanswer, a parent letter will be sent home withthe student the next day and a copy to theprincipal.If no improvement: Level 1If no improvement: 1 st Level 2 Principal, loss of school privilegeIf no improvement: 2 nd Level 2 Principal, conference with Parent, Student,If no improvement: 3 rd Level 2 Suspension from bus 2 days.If no improvement: 4 th Level 2 Suspension from bus 5 days.If no improvement: 5 th Level 2 Suspension from bus 10 days.If no improvement: 6 th Level 2 Suspension from bus rest of semester.Exception to the above:Fighting: Webster says, “…an angry dispute; hitting one another with the intent to hurt.”1 st offense fighting, throwing punches: 1 day suspension from bus2 nd offense fighting 3 days suspension from bus3 rd offense fighting 5 days suspension from bus4 th offense fighting Suspended from bus rest of semesterParent/Guardian: Please read and go over with your student…THE STUDENT IS SUSPENDED FROM RIDING THE BUS WHEN A LEVEL IIDISCIPLINE REPORT IS ISSUED TO THEM. THEY ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL THEYHAVE REPORTED TO THE CAMPUS PRINCIPAL, AND THE LEVEL II DISCIPLINEREPORT HAS BEEN HANDLED BY THE PRINCIPAL.The following “Student Bus Discipline Guideline” has been developed in conjunction with our missionstatement and belief that students are to be dealt with equitably and taught responsibility. Changes havebeen made in our discipline guidelines to comply with the legislative mandates of Senate Bill I. Theguidelines are subject to change as interpretations of the law are forwarded to us. The term guidelinesindicate that application of the information contained herein is subject to interpretation by the assistantprincipal.Jr. High School - - School Bus DisciplineJr. High School Bus Discipline will be handled according to their HANDBOOK listed below:Junior High students are old enough to understand and follow the bus rules. Failure to follow these ruleswill result in the following consequences:1 st referral Conference with the Assistant Principal – Detention2 nd referral 3 days suspension of bus riding privileges3 rd referral 3 days suspension of bus riding privileges4 th referral 1 month suspension of bus riding privileges5 th referral 1 semester suspension of bus riding privilegesSeverely inappropriate behavior which impairs the safety of the other students on the bus or the ability ofthe bus driver to drive the bus will result in immediate loss of bus riding privileges.Updated 09-19-12 jt

Page 6 of 7Fighting 1 st offense 5 days suspension from bus2 nd offense 10 days suspension from bus3 rd offense bus suspension rest of semester4 th offense bus suspension rest of school yearHigh SchoolFirst Level II is sent to campus principal, student has conference with principal and parent is called.Second Level II the student returns to their Campus Principal: SAC or Detention, parent called, possiblebus suspension 3 days.Third Level II – 3 days suspension, possible bus suspension 5 daysFourth Level II – 5 days suspension, possible bus suspension 10 daysFifth Level II – 10 days suspension, possible bus suspension for semesterSixth Level II – bus suspension for semester, possible bus suspension for remainder of yearImmediate Suspension - SECONDARY ONLY (Middle School, Jr. High, High School)1. Foul, vulgar language and/or gesture directed at Driver (Insubordination, 2 days suspension)1 st offense 5 days bus suspension2 nd offense 10 days bus suspension3 rd offense bus suspension for rest of semester4 th offense bus suspension for rest of school year2. Foul, vulgar language and/or gesture1 st offense immediate 3 day bus suspension2 nd offense 5 days bus suspension3 rd offense 10 days bus suspension4 th offense bus suspension for rest of semester5 th offense bus suspension for rest of school year3. Obscenities, mooning (showing skin), flashing, sexual body language1 st offense immediate 5 day’s bus suspension2 nd offense 10 days bus suspension3 rd offense bus suspension for rest of semester4 th offense bus suspension for rest of school year4. Fighting1 st offense 5 days bus suspension2 nd offense 10 days bus suspension3 rd offense bus suspension for rest of semester4 th offense bus suspension for rest of school yearDepending on the severity of the offense, the student could lose bus riding privileges immediately and theabove procedure will not be followed.If a student is suspended from one school bus, he/she is suspended from all other buses as well.A school bus suspension is not an excused absence from school. Students will be expected to be atschool each day of their bus suspension.Bus Student Discipline Appeal Process:Bus riding privileges that are revoked for more than two weeks may be appealed to the Superintendent.The appeal is to be made in writing to Superintendent and a copy to the principal and TransportationDirector.In Case of an Accident or Emergency1. Follow the driver’s instruction.2. If you must evacuate the bus, move to a safe location and stay in a group.Updated 09-19-12 jt

Page 7 of 73. The following procedure will be used for evacuation in emergencies:a. The students assigned by the driver will open the emergency door, stand outside the rearof the bus and assist other students off the bus.b. DO NOT take your personal belongings, such as books, etc.c. Leave the bus in a single file as quickly and as quietly as possible.d. Evacuation will start with the seat nearest the door and will go from left to right untileveryone is off the bus. The driver is the last one off and makes sure all students haveexited the bus.e. Once outside the bus, follow the driver’s instruction completely.Extracurricular Trips1. Bus rider rules apply to all school sponsored events.2. Discipline will be the responsibility of the trip sponsor.3. The bus must be returned clean from a trip.4. The aisle cannot be blocked.5. If the students do not behave and the sponsor does not enforce the bus rules, the driver has beeninstructed to pull the bus over until order is restored.Parents and students:Thank you for your cooperation. The bus rules are in place for the safety of the students.Updated 09-19-12 jt