SSD Rider Safety Book

Dear Parents:

Sevier School District provides bus transportation to and from school as a courtesy service for eligible students residing in the District.  The State of Utah prescribes the conditions governing school bus operations and funds a large portion of the service by allotting the District a given amount for eligible students transported and miles driven. Eligible students are defined by State statute as those students in grades K-6 residing in the District at least one and half miles from the school they should attend, and those students in grades 7-12 residing in the District at least two miles from the school they should attend as measured by the nearest practical route. The nearest practical route is the nearest traveled public road which may or may not be the road used by the school bus. Address eligibility is continually audited year round. When an address is found to be ineligible (because of street openings, construction changes, etc.) notification will be made as soon as possible with a grace period allowed for parents to locate alternate means of transportation. 

In order to meet the conditions outlined by the State and provide safe, prompt movement of eligible students, the School District has adopted standard regulations and procedures and has provided restrictive measures for violations of the rules. They are herein outlined for your information and for the guidance of your child.

The School District is pleased to provide transportation for its eligible students and solicits your assistance in helping create a safe, healthy operation. You may do so by reading the enclosed material or visit www.sevier.k12.ut.us and acknowledge receipt by completing and returning the Rider's Contract to the bus driver. We ask for your cooperation with school personnel in developing proper and acceptable behavior patterns for your students who ride buses.

If you should need information concerning bus routes, call the Transportation Office at 435-896-4732.

Thank you,

Mike Moore, Transportation Supervisor

Chad Lloyd, Transportation Director

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. School bus rider's contract is to be completed and turned into the driver within three days.

Video Cameras on the School Buses

Sevier School District uses video cameras to help control discipline. Your child should act as if they are being filmed everyday. Parents may be called in to watch their children if they misbehave on the school bus, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. 

General Safety Rules

1. Obey the instructions of the bus driver. At no time will a student act toward, or address comments to a bus driver in a disrespectful manner, or refuse to cooperate 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 or bring a friend with you.
5. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation to school if a child misses the bus.

Procedures for Waiting for the Bus

1. Be at your bus stop five minutes before scheduled pick-up time. Driver will not wait or honk.
2. Stand on the sidewalk or back from the roadway while waiting for the bus.
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. Parents should instruct their children on what procedures to follow if the student misses the bus.
6. Students will abide by the school District’s rules and regulations concerning bus students, including conduct and dress code. 

Loading the Bus

1. Do not push or shove.
2. Use the handrail and steps.
3. Go to your assigned seat. The bus will not move until all students are seated.
4. The driver has the authority and may assign seats to all students or selected students.

Conduct on the Bus

1. Remain seated while the bus is moving.
2. Do not change seats.
3. A student shall not refuse to deny another a place to sit.
4. Each student will be expected to remain seated for the duration of the trip, and remain seated until the bus door opens.
5. Normal conversation is permitted; any loud noises may distract the driver and create an unsafe condition.
6. Scuffling, fighting, and the use of obscene, vulgar, or profane language and gestures are forbidden.
7. Do not throw objects inside or out of the bus.
8. Do not mark, cut, or scratch any part of the bus. The person who is responsible will pay vandalism costs.
9. Pupils should use the emergency door and exit controls only during supervised drills or actual emergencies.

• Students shall never attempt to operate the passenger door or other driver controls except in cases of extreme emergency.
• Students shall face forward for the duration of the trip, and shall keep their feet on the floor in front of them and out of the bus aisle.
• Students must not extend their hands, arms, feet, or head out of the bus windows at any time. Students must keep hands off other riders as well as the driver at all times.

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. You must have a signed note from the principal to get off at a bus stop other than your own. The note must be given to the driver when boarding the bus.
5. Stay clear of the bus when the engine is started. Do not chase or hang on to the bus at any time.
6. If any 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 for assistance.

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 bumper and wait for the driver to signal you that it is safe to cross.
2. Check in both directions and walk directly across the road.
3. Never cross the road behind the bus.
4. CAUTION! Be alert for the 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.

Prohibited items

1. Tobacco.
2. Live animals or insects.
3. Glass containers.
4. Alcoholic beverages.
5. Weapons, explosive devices, harmful drugs or chemicals.
6. Any object (musical instrument, shop project) too large to be carried by the student. All other items must be kept on the student's lap at all times.
7. Lighted matches or cigarette lighters.
8. Food or drinks (no drinking on the bus is permitted).

Accidents or Emergencies

1. Follow the driver's instructions.
2. If you must leave the bus, stay in a group.
3. The following procedures will be used for evacuation in an emergency situation:
   1. The student nearest the door will open the door and hold it open.
   2. Leave the bus in a single file as quickly and quietly as possible.
   3. Evacuation will start with the seat closest to the door.
   4. Once outside the bus, follow the driver's instructions completely.

Extra Curricular Trips

1. Bus rider rules apply to all school-sponsored events.
2. Discipline will be the responsibility of the trip sponsor and transportation director.
3. The bus must return clean when returning from the trip. 

Discipline

It is the belief of Sevier School District that proper conduct by students is essential for the safe operation of school buses. Misconduct could result in a student not being allowed to ride a bus. Students may be suspended from the buses if: (1) they willfully or through negligence cause damage to the bus: (2) if their behavior is such that it causes pain, or embarrassment or disruption to the driver or to other students.

Discipline procedures may include, but are not limited to:

1st Offense:  Verbal warning by the driver to the student (if the behavior is severe such as: smoking, drugs, weapons, damaging the bus, or harming another student then discipline for 3^rd offense may apply).  The bus driver will notify parent/guardian of the conduct requiring a verbal warning.

2^nd Offense:  A written conduct report giving specific details of the conduct will be sent to parent/guardian (by the school) and given to the school principal.  Follow-up communication will be made with the parent to ensure they have received the “Bus Conduct Report”.

3^rd Offense:           A written conduct report giving specific details of the conduct will be sent to parent/guardian (by the school) and given to the school principal. Follow-up communication will be made with the parent to ensure they have received the “Bus Conduct Report”. The student will be suspended from the bus for 3 school days.  A student, parent, principal, and bus driver conference is required, with a satisfactory outcome, before the student can return to the bus.

4^th Offense:           A written conduct report giving specific details of the conduct will be sent to parent/guardian (by the school) and given to the school principal. Follow-up communication will be made with the parent to ensure they have received the “Bus Conduct Report”.   Suspension from the bus for 10 days is required for this offense. A student, parent, principal, and bus driver conference is required, with a satisfactory outcome, before the student can return to the bus.

5^th Offense:           A written conduct report giving specific details of the conduct will be sent to parent/guardian (by the school) and given to the school principal. Follow-up communication will be made with the parent to ensure they have received the “Bus Conduct Report”.   Transportation privileges will be denied for the remainder of the school year. A student, parent, principal, and bus driver conference is required, with a satisfactory outcome, before the student can return to the bus the following year.

Parents are responsible to contact the school to schedule an appointment with the administration and the bus driver.  The student must also attend.  Parents are always encouraged to schedule an appointment anytime they have a concern.

Mike Moore

Transportation Supervisor