Rules of Conduct for Students Riding School Buses


These rules of conduct have been developed to provide a safe and pleasant environment for students while being transported. Transportation is an elective provided by the Board, and failure to comply with any of the rules will be grounds for excluding a student from riding a bus.

  • Students should plan to arrive approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time of their bus. The drivers strive to stay on schedule however, traffic and/or weather conditions can affect their actual arrival time at your stop.

  • Students shall be at the bus stop at the scheduled time. The bus schedule does not allow additional time to wait for those students who are tardy. Students shall stand a safe distance from the flow of traffic at the bus stop and wait until the bus door is open before moving toward the bus. They shall not play on highways or streets.

  • While the bus is loading or unloading, students shall enter or leave the bus promptly and in an orderly manner.

  • Students shall conduct themselves in such a manner that they will not disturb other riders on the bus or distract the attention of the bus driver.

  • The use of abusive or obscene language is strictly forbidden at all times.

  • Students are not permitted to bring knives or sharp objects of any kind, firearms, pets or other living animals on the bus.

  • Students shall not tamper with any of the safety devices such as door latches and fire extinguishers.

  • Students shall not shout or make gestures toward anyone outside the bus.

  • Students shall not extend their hands, arms, head, or any other part of their body through the window.

  • Students shall not deface or litter the bus. They shall not write on the bus, damage seats, or throw paper, food or other objects on the floor of the bus, nor from the bus. Unnecessary abuse of the school bus by a pupil, e.g., cut seats, broken glass, etc., will result in that pupil becoming ineligible for transportation. Said pupil shall become eligible again only when payment is made for damages and assurances given that the abuse will not recur.

  • Food or drinks may not be consumed on the bus, and smoking, vaping is not permitted.

  • Students shall keep aisles of the bus clear in order to admit passage in the aisle.

  • Students shall not ask the driver to let them off the bus at any other place except their regular stop.

  • Students who must cross the road or highway to enter the bus are encouraged to wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the driver has signaled them to cross in front of the bus.

  • Students who must cross the road after leaving the bus in the afternoon shall go to a point on the shoulder of the road ten feet in front of the bus and cross the road only after the driver has signaled them to cross.

  • The driver has the authority to assign a student a seat at any time.

  • Pupils are to ride the bus to which they are assigned by Transportation.

  • Transportation is not provided for a group of children to ride a different bus in order to attend a party, Scout meeting, etc.

  • In the event of an emergency, with a written request from the parent or guardian, the principal may approve a student to ride a bus other than his or her normal bus on a one time basis.

  • Transportation is not provided for students to ride a different bus two or three times per week after school in order to be transported to or near a place of employment.

  • For safety purposes, aisles or emergency exits shall not be blocked by band instruments. Band instruments shall be permissible if they can be held on the students lap or put on the floor by the students feet. If there is a question about a certain instrument, the bus driver shall be the judge as to whether it may be transported at all, be kept with the child, or be placed in a seat.