Rules of Conduct
- Follow the same conduct as expected in the classroom.
- Be courteous; no profane language.
- No eating, drinking or chewing gum on the bus.
- Keep the bus clean; do not be destructive.
- Cooperate with the bus driver; the driver is authorized to assign seats.
- No smoking or flammable materials are allowed on the bus.
- Passengers should remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion. No standing while the bus is in motion.
- Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus.
- No glass containers, animals or medication are allowed on the bus.
- The use of radios or other audio/video equipment which may interfere with driver concentration are not permitted while riding the bus.
- Refrain from loud conversation, singing, or whistling.
Walking To and From Bus Stop
- Walk with a buddy or a group.
- Walk on main streets where there are likely to be other people.
- Avoid strangers.
- Use your district assigned bus stop to get on and off of the school bus.
- Never accept food or gifts from strangers.
- Make sure to let your parents know where you are.
- When crossing a street, cross only in marked crosswalks.
- Walk away from any stray animals you see. Don’t run or show that you are afraid.
- Arrive 5 minutes early to the bus stop.
- Students arriving late who need to cross the street to get to the bus must wait for the assistance of the driver before crossing.
Bus Loading Area
- Be considerate of the property/surrounding area at your bus stop/boarding area.
- Line up in an orderly manner in preparation for boarding the bus.
- Live animals, (caged or otherwise) with the exception of guide dogs, are not permitted on a school bus.
- All food and/or beverages must be finished, put away, or discarded prior to boarding the bus.
- Bulky items or articles considered hazardous to passengers in the event of sudden stops or accidents, shall not be transported or carried by passengers
Boarding or Exiting the Bus
- Arrive at the bus stop ahead of time. Wait on the sidewalk. STAY OUT OF THE ROAD.
- Board and exit the bus one at a time. No crowding or pushing. Hold onto the handrail.
- Take seats quietly.
- Students shall not leave their seats until the bus comes to a complete stop.
- Never run after the bus. If you miss the bus, return home or to the school office.
- Do not cross in front of the bus without being assisted by the driver (See “Escorted Red Light Crossing Instructions” below).
- Never walk close to the front of the bus; allow at least ten steps in between you and the front of the bus.
Escorted “Red Light Crossing” Instructions
“Red Light Crossings” are required whenever a student must cross the street to load or unload the bus, in order for the student(s) to get to his/her home or destination.
- If you must cross the street, do so with the ASSISTANCE OF THE DRIVER.
- Exit the bus after the driver, then STOP and wait for the driver’s instructions.
- Cross only when the driver tells you to do so.
- Cross in front of the bus with the driver and go directly to the sidewalk.
- NEVER cross the street behind the bus.
- In addition to the escorted “Red Light Crossings” that are noted on the driver’s route sheet, each driver will ask the students at each stop if any of them must cross the street to get to their home or destination.
Discipline Policy
Pupils transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of, and responsible directly to, the driver of the bus; and the driver shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils while they are on the bus or being escorted across a street, highway, or road. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be denied transportation. The bus driver shall not require any pupil to leave the bus en route between home and school or other destination. (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Education, Section 14103)
When a passenger is in violation of rules of conduct, he/she may be reported to the school principal, or his/her designee, by means of a “School Bus Conduct Report,” to be given to the parent/guardian and:
- First Violation: The rider and his/her parent or guardian will be contacted by the principal, or his/her designee, and a conference arranged.
- Second Violation: The passenger may be denied district transportation services for a period of three days.
- Third Violation: The passenger may be denied district transportation services for a period of two weeks.
- Fourth Violation: The passenger may be denied district transportation services for the remainder of the school year.
Threats of bodily harm, acts of extreme violence, or any behavior that is a danger to self or others may be cause for immediate denial of district transportation services.
The principal of each school, along with the SVUSD Transportation Department, shall be responsible for policy enforcement. The Superintendent may review any or all violations for final recommendation, if necessary.
We need your assistance to ensure the safety of our students.
Please note the following:
- When you notice a school bus with red lights flashing, do not pass the bus.
- Cars may not pass buses on the street or in the school parking lot if the red lights are flashing. Please keep this in mind when picking up or dropping off your student(s).
- California Law requires that all vehicular traffic traveling in both directions stop when the “flashing red lights” are activated. Traffic may not pass the bus in either direction until the “flashing lights” have been turned off.
- At dismissal time, the bus drivers are directed to keep the flashing lights on until all students are on the bus. Do not pass the bus if the lights are flashing.
Bus Rules and Guidelines (printable)
