Transportation

Before a bus pass will be issued, all parents and students must read the Parent Handbook (English/Spanish) to acknowledge the bus rules. Parents and students must commit to responsible behavior while on the bus.  You will be prompted to do so during the application process.

Riding the school bus is a privilege. Students will be held accountable for their behavior while on the bus and at their bus stop.

“Pupils transported on 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.” (CCR 14103).

Bus Rider Rules

The following rules apply at all times when students are riding a school bus, including when on school activity trips. Please ensure your student(s) understands the following:

1. Riders shall follow the instructions and directions of the bus driver at all times.
2. Riders should arrive at their designated bus stop five (5) minutes early and stand in a safe place at the stop to wait quietly for the bus.
3. Orderly behavior is required. Student conduct at the bus stop should be the same as required on school grounds. Horseplay, such as ball throwing, pushing, shoving and/or similar behavior is not allowed. (See Board Policy 5131 Conduct).
4. Some bus stops are designated in front of homes. Please respect the privacy and property of those residents.  Any damage done to private property shall be cause for denial of transportation.
5. Students must stand in a single file line before boarding the bus. Riders shall enter the bus in an orderly manner and go directly to their seats.
6. Per State Law, if a student needs to cross the street, students must cross in front of the bus with and as directed by the School Bus Driver. It is the sole responsibility of the School Bus Driver to escort students across the street.
7. Riders shall sit down and fasten any passenger restraint systems. Riders shall remain seated while the bus is in motion.
8. Riders shall not block the aisle or emergency exit with their body or personal belongings. Riders may bring items, such as class projects or musical instruments, on the bus only if the item does not displace any other rider or obstruct the driver’s vision, or block the aisle and can easily sit on the rider’s lap.
9. Riders should be courteous to the driver and to fellow passengers. Vulgarity, rude, or abusive behavior is prohibited.
10. Any noise or behavior that could distract the driver, such as loud talking, scuffling or fighting, throwing objects, or standing or changing seats, is prohibited and may lead to suspension of riding privileges.
11. Riders shall not use tobacco products, eat, or drink while riding the bus.
12. Riders may bring and use electronic devices onto the bus only if such devices are permitted at school. If the use of cellular telephones or similar devices disrupts the safe operation of the school bus, the bus driver may direct the student to no longer use the device on the bus.
13. The use of electronic devices is governed by Board Policy 6163.4 Student Use of Technology.
14. Riders shall not put any part of the body outside the window nor throw any item from the bus.
15. Riders shall help keep the bus and the area around the bus stop clean. Riders shall not damage or deface the bus or tamper with bus equipment.
16. Service animals may be permitted on school transportation services; all other animals are prohibited (Education Code 39839; 13 CCR 1216).
17. Upon reaching their destination, riders shall remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop and upon the signal from the driver. At that point students are able to unfasten any restraint system, enter the aisle, and go directly to the exit.
18. Riders should be alert for traffic when leaving the bus and shall follow the district’s transportation safety plan when crossing the road and exiting the bus.
19. The Driver shall have the right to assign all seats when deemed necessary.

Consequences for Misconduct

The safety of students and staff and the maintenance of an orderly environment shall be priorities in determining appropriate discipline. Riders who fail to comply with the above rules shall be reported to the school principal, who will determine the severity of the misconduct and appropriate disciplinary strategies. (See Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5144 Discipline). In general, the District may follow the below guidelines:

1. The first incident will result in a verbal warning with the School Bus Driver.
2. The second incident will result in a verbal warning with the School Bus Driver.
3. The third incident will result in a written referral and subsequent conference with the Principal or Designee. At that time the student will be warned of the possible loss of the privilege of riding the bus if the behavior continues.
4. The fourth incident report may result in a two (2) day loss of bus riding privileges (two school days).
5. The fifth incident report may result in a one (1) week loss of bus riding privileges (five school days).
6. The sixth incident report may result in a two (2) week loss of bus riding privileges (ten school days). permanent loss of bus riding privileges for the rest of the school year.
7. The seventh incident report may result in a permanent loss of bus riding privileges for the rest of the school year.

Bus drivers shall not deny transportation services except as directed by the Principal or designee.

Bus Surveillance Systems

The Superintendent or designee shall monitor the use and maintenance of the District’s bus surveillance system. Students are prohibited from tampering with the bus surveillance system. Any student found tampering with the system shall be subject to discipline and shall be responsible for the costs of any necessary repairs or replacement.

Camera supports may be installed in all buses. Cameras may be rotated among the buses and activated at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee.

The content of any recording is a student record and may only be accessed in accordance with the district’s policy and administrative regulation concerning student records.

To ensure the safety of students and staff, the following items cannot be transported on a school bus:

• Glass Containers
• Bags of aluminum cans
• Animals (with the possible exception of service dogs)
• Large musical instruments, suitcases and sleeping bags.
• Radios (unless approved by the school ahead of time)
• Skateboards
• Food or liquid that are not in a proper container
• Balloons
• Item that are too large for student to hold on their lap

Note: All toys, games or projects brought to school should be put in a plastic or paper bag. Nothing can be allowed on the bus that is too large for students to hold on their lap. Please make other arrangements for your student’s transportation that day.