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Jefferson School District
Transportation Department
Bus Riding Rules
For everyone’s safety, BUS RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED AT ALL TIMES:
Student behavior may be monitored by video recording devices within the school buses. Video may be used by district administrators in disciplinary proceedings.
- NO Rolling Backpacks
- Students can ONLY be loaded and unloaded at designated stops.
- Be on time, NEVER run to or from the bus. Arrive at least 10 minutes before bus departure time.
- The bus will not wait as we need to ensure that our routes are on time. Please be aware that once the bus pulls away from the curb the driver shall not pick up or discharge any students. Please be prepared to receive your child up to fifteen (15) minutes before and up to fifteen (15) minutes after the drop off time indicated on their bus pass.
- Stand back from the curb. NO pushing or shoving while at the bus stop or while boarding or departing. WAIT for the driver’s signal before crossing. ALWAYS stand/cross at least twelve (12) feet from the bus.
- Cell phones or other electronic devices may not be used on the bus.
- Follow the driver’s instructions AT ALL TIMES. Disrespectful behavior is NOT allowed.
- Items that are NOT allowed on the bus (included but not limited to): Food, liquids, candy, gum, glass containers, perfume, cologne, hair spray, balloons, toys, skateboards, scooters, bats, balls, electronic devices (including mp3 players, cell phones/bluetooth headsets, cd/dvd players, video games), pornographic material, hobbies and crafts, refreshments for parties, live or dead insects or animals, lighters, tobacco, drugs,, alcohol, weapons, replica weapons, or materials of ANY kind that could cause harm to another student or distract the driver. DRIVER MAY CONFISCATE ANY UNAUTHORIZED ITEM(S)! Hiding/attempting to conceal any item will not be tolerated.
- All riders MUST wear seatbelts at all times if the bus is so equipped; the law requires that seatbelts be worn.
- STAY IN YOUR SEAT! DO NOT stand or change seats while the bus is in motion. Stay in your seat, feet on the floor, face forward and sit up right. Do not change seats without permission of the driver. DRIVER IS AUTHORIZED TO ASSIGN SEATS!
- All riders MUST be silent at railroad crossings.
- NEVER crawl under a school bus for any reason.
- DO NOT yell, shout or use profanity.
- DO NOT fight NO horseplay. DO NOT annoy others.
- DO NOT eat, drink, chewy gum or litter on the bus
- Keep all body parts inside the bus.
- DO NOT bring tobacco, alcohol or weapons on the bus.
- DO NOT deface the bus in any way (including writing, cutting or sticking things to seats or walls). PARENTS WILL BE CHARGED FOR DAMAGES!
- For safety reasons, crutches are allowed ONLY if the rider can board and depart the bus WITHOUT use of the crutches.
- All students must show, and scan their bus pass before entering/exiting the bus.
STUDENTS IN VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE BUS RULES WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:
- Verbal Warning
- Written Citation with copy sent home to parent(s)/guardian(s) to sign
- Three (3) day suspension-parent(s)/guardian(s) contacted
- Ten (10) day suspension-parent(s)/guardian(s) contacted
- Termination-NO transportation for remainder of the school year
Students may be given IMMEDIATE suspension or termination from the bus, depending on the severity of the student’s actions.
PLEASE NOTE:
In the event of a severe disruption or violation of the rules, the driver and the administrator may omit consequences 1,2, and 3 and go directly to consequence 4, taking whatever action is necessary to ensure that the bus is operated in a safe manner. This immediate action may include:
- Stopping the bus until the disruption ends.
- Calling a dispatcher or law enforcement official to remove disruptive students.
- Returning to school and placing the offending student in detention until the parent picks up the student.
- Returning to school for administrative assistance.
- Suspension from school.
The distraction of the bus driver endangers all student riders and the driver. Since safe transportation is a commitment to be shared equally by the home and school, parents are urged to continually assist the school by reviewing good bus behavior with their child/children.
In 2002 Jefferson School District began charging families a fee for student transportation. School Bus Transportation is not fully funded by the State, requiring Jefferson School District to charge for busing in order to provide the service. School Bus Transportation of students (with the exception of Special Needs Students) is not a requirement by law in the State of California and is provided as a service to the families of Jefferson School District who are within the Board Approved Busing Areas. While our transportation services and bus stops are limited, we have attempted to provide the best services available within our limited resources. It is ultimately the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that their student(s) attend school (Section 48200 of the Education Code).
Bus passes must be purchased prior to the use of the transportation system. To obtain a bus pass for your child, please complete a Bus Pass Application that is included in the beginning of the year packet or is available in each school office. Details of current rates and payment options are available on the jeffersonschooldistrict.com website under Transportation link.
TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN/KINDERGARTEN BUS PROCEDURES:
We ask that the parent be at the bus stop before the bus arrives to receive the child. The times may vary due to trains, weather etc. If someone other than yourself will be at the stop to receive your child, the office must have information in Aeries to give us permission to leave your child with that person. If no one is at your child’s bus stop to receive them, they will be returned to the school at the end of the kindergarten route, and will be waiting for you to pick them up at school. If this happens, the child will be given a bus citation and the above citation rules will apply. The student may lose their bus riding privilege!
BUS LOADING/STUDENT PICK UP PROCEDURES:
All students will be escorted or supervised by teachers while walking to the bus loading and pick-up area at the end of the school day. Teachers will divide their classes accordingly so students can be dropped off quickly to the appropriate bus loading area. Parents are reminded that students must get on and off at their designated stops only.
Parents should not communicate directly with drivers regarding bus schedule questions or concerns. Students’ bus privileges may be suspended as a result of disruptive conduct of their parents or guardians that disrupts or interferes with the District’s Transportation Department.