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Bus Rules & Regulations

EASTON USD#449 Bus Rules & Regulations

Bus transportation shall be provided to and from school for those students who qualify. Students who use school-provided transportation shall be under the jurisdiction of the vehicle driver while in the vehicle and must obey the driver’s request. Parents MUST send a note to the teacher if your child is NOT going to ride the bus home after school and the student MUST tell the driver of the bus that he/she is not riding. If school or bus personnel are not notified of special transportation, all students will be required to ride the bus. Riding the school bus is a privilege extended to students. Failure to observe all rules may result in a referral and/or denial of bus riding privileges. All rules and regulations apply when traveling on a bus for activities. At no time will a student be allowed to go home from an activity with anyone besides his/her parent if we bused him/her there.

The following rules and regulations have been adopted pursuant to Kansas Statute to insure the safest, most enjoyable and efficient transportation for your children.

  • The bus driver shall be responsible for the order and passenger conduct of those transported.
  • The bus driver has the authority to assign seats and will do so. Vandalism of seats will be paid for by the passenger(s) assigned to that seat.
  • Passengers should promptly and willingly obey any reasonable directive of the bus driver.
  • Outside of ordinary conversation, classroom conduct is to be observed. Shouting, vulgar language, or gestures are not permitted.
  • Passengers must remain in a seated position, facing toward the front of the bus.
  • Students may not board or depart from the bus at any stop other than stops which have been authorized, by the parents or school authorities.
  • Passengers shall not extend hands, arms, heads, or objects from the bus windows at any time.
  • Passengers are not permitted to shout or gesture to passing vehicles or pedestrians from the bus.
  • Passengers may adjust windows only when permitted to do so by the driver.
  • Passengers may not throw any object, including trash or paper, within or out of the bus. While waiting or after leaving the bus this rule also applies.
  • Passengers must stay out of the driver's seat and may not tamper with any operating equipment.
  • Passengers may not exit from the emergency door unless directed to do so by the driver.
  • Eating food and drinking beverages on the bus is only allowed when permitted to do so by the driver. Hard candy and suckers are prohibited.
  • The use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol in any form shall not be permitted on the bus.
  • Animals, knives, matches, firearms, including cap and water pistols, explosives, glass, and other similar breakables, or any other items creating a safety hazard are not permitted on the bus. Passengers are not to transport any item on the bus that they are unable to confine to their seating area.

Boarding and Leaving the Bus

  • Students must be at the bus stop on time. Drivers will not wait.
  • While waiting at the bus stop, students must wait on the sidewalk, driveway, or as far off traveled portion of the road as possible.
  • Students must wait in an orderly manner and wait until the bus comes to complete stop before approaching the bus.
  • If it is necessary to cross the street or roadway, students must wait until driver signals them to cross.
  • Students must enter the bus single file and be seated as quickly as possible in their assigned seat.
  • Upon leaving the bus, wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before exiting.
  • Exit single file in an orderly manner and walk away from the bus. Students are not allowed to get mail from mailboxes, visit through windows with other students, etc.
  • Upon leaving the bus, if you must cross roadway, walk approximately 10-15 feet beyond the front of the bus so you can see the driver. Do not cross road until the driver signals you to do so.

Discipline and Suspension

Pupils transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of and responsible directly to the operator of the bus. Disorderly conduct or refusal to submit to the authority of the operator shall be sufficient reason for refusing transportation to any pupil. Kansas law requires operators to report misbehavior by students on the bus. Because of the difference in maturity or age level of students, principal may utilize different levels of discipline. School authorities have a wide scope of discretion when it comes to disciplining students for incidents that take place while the student is a passenger on a bus. However, discipline will be handled as follows:

1. WARNING. The student will be written up on an "Incident Report" of which copies will be given to student and the school principal. A conference will be held with the principal and a letter will be sent to parents notifying them of incident.

2. SECOND OFFENSE. Revocation of riding privileges for a period of at least two school days on the second offense. A conference will be held with the principal and letter will be sent to parents notifying them of incident.

3. THIRD OFFENSE. Revocation of riding privileges for a period of at least 4 school days on the third offense. A conference will be held with the principal and a letter will be sent to parents notifying them of incident.

4. FOURTH OFFENSE. Revocation of riding privileges for a period of at least 10 school days on fourth offense. Conference with school principal, parents, student, and driver. Principal will provide a written summary of the conference. At this time the student will be afforded a hearing.

5. FIFTH OFFENSE: Revocation of riding privileges for a period of at least 20 school days on fourth offense. Conference with school principal, parents, student, and driver. Principal will provide a written summary of the conference. At this time the student will be afforded a hearing.

6. SIXTH OFFENSE Permanent revocation of riding privileges and a conference with the school principal, parents, student, and driver. Principal will provide a written summary of the conference. At this time the student will be afforded a hearing.

All warning and suspension reports must be signed by either parents or guardians of the student before the student may board the bus the next day the student is eligible to ride.

The principal may suspend or revoke the transportation privilege of a student who violates any rule or regulation.

I do hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the EASTON USD #449 Bus Rules & Regulations. I have read, and I understand the contents. I will discuss the rules and regulations with my child before they ride the bus/van.