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School Bus Safety Rules
School Bus Safety
The safe transportation of students to and from school and all sports and field trips is of primary concern for the Red Hook Central School District. All federal, state and regulations pertaining to the safe use of school buses will be observed by bus drivers, students and school personnel. Ensuring safety while entering, exiting, and crossing near a school bus is crucial. Here are some key procedures to follow:
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1. Wait for the Bus to Stop: Stand at least 10 feet away from the curb and wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the driver signals it's safe to board.
2. Board in an Orderly Manner: Use the handrail and board the bus one at a time.
3. Find a Seat Quickly: Sit down promptly and face forward, keeping the aisle clear.
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1. Wait for the Bus to Stop: Remain seated until the bus has completely stopped and the driver signals it's safe to exit.
2. Exit in an Orderly Fashion: Use the handrail and carefully step off the bus.
3. Move Away from the Bus: Once off the bus, move away from the bus and stay off the roadway.
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1. Wait for the Driver's Signal: If you need to cross the street, wait for the driver to signal that it's safe.
2. Cross in Front of the Bus: Always cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus so the driver can see you.
3. Look Both Ways: Stop at the edge of the bus and look left, right, and left again before crossing.
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The district believes seat belts on school buses can provide an important safety benefit to student passengers. Students will receive school bus seat belt use training three times a year during school bus safety drills. The district’s bus drivers, teachers, chaperones, monitors, aides, administrators and other supervisory positions shall encourage and support proper seat belt usage, including but not limited to regular daily routes, sports trips and field trips. This training shall include, but not limited to, the following:
- Proper fastening and release of seat safety belts
- Acceptable adjustment and placement and of seat safety belts on students
- Times at which the seat safety belts should be fastened and released
- Acceptable placement of the seat belts when not in use
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Proper student behavior is essential for safe transportation. The following rules shall be observed when riding the bus:
1. Students waiting at their bus stops should not play in the road or street.
2. Get on and off the bus in an orderly fashion.
3. Upon entering the bus, students shall immediately be seated and remain seated when the bus is in motion. Instruments should be carried on your lap.
4. Students shall obey the bus driver by always following their safety instructions.
5. Do not distract the driver with unnecessary talk, but please report any problems immediately.
6. Face front when the bus is in motion and keep your arms and legs out of the aisle.
7. Talk with your fellow students in a reasonable manner. Use inside voices.
8. Get off the bus at your residence or assigned stop only. Students must have a bus pass from the office before they will be allowed to get off the bus somewhere other than their residence or assigned bus stop.
9. Cross the street in front of the bus, when stopped, to load or unload, observing the 15-foot crossing rule. Wait for the bus driver to give you the “safe crossing signal” before crossing. Remember that if you cannot see the driver, the driver cannot see you.
10. Students are not allowed to check their mailboxes until after the bus has pulled away.
11. Students shall refrain from the following behaviors while on the bus:
- Playing music
- Using cell phones
- Littering or spitting
- Eating and drinking
- Throwing things on the bus or out the windows
- Screaming, obscene gestures or vulgar language
- Fighting, hitting, pushing or shoving other passengers
- Opening emergency doors or windows, or tripping the emergency buzzer
- Extending arms, legs, heads or any other part of the body out the windows
Students are reminded that riding a school bus is a privilege, not a right and as such may be revoked due bad behavior. Students who violate school bus rules will have bus conduct reports sent home and appropriate action will be taken. Students who persist in violating school bus rules are subject to having their bus riding privileges revoked on a temporary or, if necessary, permanent basis after a hearing. No student will be allowed to infringe on the safety of other students.
General Safety Tips:
- Danger Zones: Be aware of the danger zones around the bus, especially the front, sides, and rear where visibility is limited.
- Never Retrieve Dropped Items: If you drop something near the bus, inform the driver instead of trying to pick it up yourself.
- No Running: Never run after the bus or bang on its sides if you are late.
- Stay Alert: Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions like phones or headphones.
Following these procedures helps ensure the safety of all students.
Safety Reminders:
- Please ensure that your child has at least one free hand and can use the handrail when entering and exiting the school bus. Small school projects, sports equipment or instruments can interfere with this safety requirement.
- Across the country, several incidents have occurred in which long strings, straps or other items dangling from children’s clothing or backpacks, became entangled in the bus door or handrail as the child stepped off the bus. In some cases, children have been seriously injured and even killed. Please make sure your children’s clothing and backpacks do not have any long strings, straps, or other items dangling that could jeopardize their safety while getting on or off the bus.
What Items Can be Brought on a Bus?
The New York State Department of Transportation and federal regulations prohibit bringing large items and musical instruments on school buses. All items that the child will be bringing to school should be packed in a carrying case, such as a tote bag or backpack, which must be small enough to be held on the student’s lap. Large items and food for class parties may not be transported by school bus.
Allowed on the School Bus
Instruments:
Piccolo, oboe, flute, soprano clarinet, bassoon, snare drum, alto saxophone, French horn, trombone, trumpet, violin and viola, if they are secured inside carrying case and secured in the seat with the student.
Sports Gear:
Baseball bats and Lacrosse sticks that are less than 44 inches in length are allowed on the bus so long as they are secured inside a carrying case and secured in the seat with the student.
Soccer balls, basketballs, baseballs, softballs, footballs or any other type of ball are not allowed on the bus unless they are secured inside a backpack or carrying case and secured in the seat with the student.
Not Allowed on the School Bus
Instruments:
Including, but not limited to: Alto clarinet, bass clarinet, contra bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, cello, guitar, tenor saxophone, tuba, baritone horn and string bass.
Other Items Not Allowed:
Including, but not limited to: Large school projects, skateboards, bikes, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks exceeding 44 inches in length, fishing poles, skis and poles, sleds, any weapons, glass containers, aerosol cans, and pets or any live animals other than guide dog, hearing dog or service dog properly harnessed, accompanying a person with a disability.
School Bus Emergency Drills
The district will conduct a minimum of three emergency drills to be held on each school bus during the school year.
The first drill will be conducted during the first seven days of school, the second drill between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, and the third drill between March 1 and April 30. No Drills will be conducted when buses are on routes.
Each drill will include practice and instruction in the location, use and operation of the emergency exits, fire extinguishers, hazmat equipment, and windows as a means of escape in the event of fire or accident. Similarly, students will be instructed on all topics mandated by relevant sections of the New York State Education Law and the State Education Department Commissioner’s Regulations, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Safe boarding and exiting procedures with specific emphasis on when and how to approach, board, disembark and move away from the bus after disembarking
- Advance at least 15 feet in front of the bus before crossing the highway after disembarking
- Specific hazards encountered during snow, ice, rain, and other inclement weather, including, but not necessarily limited to, poor driver visibility, reduced vehicular control and reduced hearing
- Orderly conduct as school bus passengers
