8325

1. The bus driver is in full charge of the bus and all passengers must promptly obey the bus driver's directions and instructions.

2. Pupils shall ride their regularly assigned bus at all times, unless permission has been granted by the school authorities.

3. Except by written permission of school authorities and parents, no pupil shall be permitted to leave the bus except at his/her regular stop.

4. As a passenger management tool, each pupil may be assigned a seat in which he/she will be seated at all times while on the bus, unless permission to change the assigned seat is given by the school principal or bus driver.

5. Pupils should view the bus as an extension of the classroom, outside of ordinary conversation, classroom conduct must be observed on the school bus.

6. Pupils should assist in keeping the bus clean and by keeping their waste off the floor. Pupils should also refrain from throwing refuse out of the windows. To keep the bus clean, EATING AND DRINKING ARE NOT ALLOWED.

7. No person will smoke, light matches on a school bus or consume or possess any alcohol or controlled substance.

8. No person shall extend has/her head, hands, arm, or legs out of the windows, at any time regardless of whether the school bus is in motion or standing still.

9. No person shall open a window on the school bus without first getting the permission of the school bus driver.

10. Any student found to be in possession of a weapon, or involved in an aggravated assault on a school bus, as defined by policy 5142.2-Policy for Assault and Illegal Weapons Possession, will immediately be suspended in accordance with applicable due process provisions. During this suspension, the school district will take the necessary steps in determining any additional action, reflecting the due process rights, which may include a range of options up to expulsion.

Aggravated assaults are assaults with a weapon, or causing serious bodily injury. Pupils must not have in their possession anything that may cause injury to another passenger, such as sticks, breakable containers, any type of firearm, straps, or pins extending from their clothing. No animal is permitted on a school bus, except dogs trained to aid the handicapped.

11. Passengers must see that books and personal belongings are kept out of the aisle. Special permission must be granted by school authorities and the bus driver to transport large items.

12. No passenger shall talk to the bus driver more than necessary while the bus is in operation.

13. No passenger shall sit in the driver's seat, nor shall any pupil be transported while located left or right of the driver.

14. Pupils are to remain seated while the bus is in motion, and they are not to get off or on the bus until it has come to a full stop.

15. Pupils shall exit the bus in an orderly manner, and must obey all orders of the school bus driver. They must not cross the highway in front of the bus until given direction to do so by the school bus driver. When boarding or exiting the bus, passengers should remain in full view of the driver at all times.

16. Pupils must remain outside the danger zone and must cross the highway at least ten (10) feet in front of the school bus and never behind it.

17. Passengers must not stand or play in the roadway while waiting for the bus, and should arrive at the bus stop before the bus is due to arrive.

18. Self discipline should be exercised by pupils at the bus loading area, both at school and the bus stop. Pupils should refrain from pushing and shoving other pupils while boarding or exiting the bus.

19. Pupils who walk some distance along a street or highway to and from bus stops, where practicable, must walk on the left hand side facing oncoming traffic.

20. Student misconduct on a bus, after a written warning to the student and parent, by the school principal, will be sufficient reason to discontinue providing bus transportation to the student involved.

21. In the event of an actual emergency, emergency exit procedures, as established by the emergency exit drills, will be followed.

22. Parents of students damaging school buses will be responsible for proper reimbursement to the school bus contractor.

Suspension of five (5) school days from bus privileges, conference with school principal, bus driver, parent and student.

In each of the cases above, the parent will be advised in writing and also verbally, if possible.