Transportation

Rules and Regulations for Riding a School Bus

Our goal is to provide safe transportation to all students. In order to accomplish this goal there are certain rules that must be followed by all bus passengers. Failure to do so may result in suspension of bus riding privileges. Behavior that causes the driver to be distracted from the road puts all students in danger.

CONDUCT RULES FOR BUS RIDERS
The driver is in full charge of the bus and passengers at all times. Students must give their correct names when asked. Students may be assigned seats. In the event of an emergency, students must follow emergency exit procedures. Students must remain seated and face forward. Walking or standing is not permitted while the bus is moving. Quiet conversation with your immediate neighbor is permitted. Disruptive conduct, including aggressive play is not permitted. Improper language is not acceptable. Eating, drinking, and gum chewing are not permitted. Tampering with any bus controls or equipment is prohibited.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
Verbal Warnings;
The first bus misconduct slip is a written warning;
The second slip may result in a suspension of bus riding privileges from all buses;
The third slip may result in a progressive suspension of days from all buses;
The fourth slip may result in a suspension for up to 90 school days from all buses.

Exceptional Misconduct may result in an automatic five (5) day minimum suspension from the bus.

Exceptional misconduct includes but is not limited to: weapon violations, possession of drugs/alcohol or drug paraphernalia, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fighting, intimidation, harassment, extortion, gang activities, refusing to comply with a reasonable request, possession of tobacco or possession of incendiary devices.

Verbal abuse directed at the driver or refusing to cooperate with the driver will result in an exceptional misconduct.

BUS PASSES
Bus passes (obtained from the school office) are required for leaving the bus at a stop other than the student's regular stop, or for riding a bus other than the student's regular bus.

BUS STOPS
Playing in the roadway is prohibited. Students should remain at least six (6) feet from the bus until it is completely stopped. Students must cross only in front of the bus and only when the driver has given consent. Students shall respect private property at bus stops.

BUS WINDOWS
Bus windows should be left closed unless the driver gives permission to open them. Students should not extend their heads, hands, or arms out of the bus windows. Nothing should be thrown out the windows.

BUS AISLES
Bus aisles should be kept clear at all times. Gym bags, musical instruments, etc., should be placed under the seat or carried on the student's lap. Items that may cause injury to others, such as breakable containers, sharp objects, and pins extending from clothing are not allowed on the bus.

NO ANIMALS
No animals (including reptiles, fish and birds) are permitted on the bus, with the exception of service dogs.

No skateboards will be transported on a bus.

GOING HOME FROM SCHOOL
Because of the increase in the number of requests for individualized transportation schedules, the Transportation Department requests that you choose one AFTERNOON address for each child. If a student goes to daycare daily and the parent wants him to go home instead, the parent must make arrangements to pick up the student at daycare or at the school. Exceptions to this would be (1) an occasional request for a student to visit another student's house (2) an emergency (3) mid-day Wednesday kindergarten students may have a different destination than on full days.

Parent's work schedules are often the reason for a student's transportation needing to be changed from one day to the next, or from morning to afternoon. It is not uncommon for one student to have 2 or 3 addresses where he/she needs to be picked up or dropped off. Each change in a student's bus schedule is processed through busy school offices, the dispatch office at Transportation, and then relayed to the bus driver. Add to this process substitute teachers, substitute bus drivers, possible miscommunication between parent and student, and the result can be the student being placed on the wrong bus and going home to an empty house. This causes undue stress for parents, drivers, teachers, and school staff, let alone the frightened student.

We understand that it is not always possible for every parent to follow these guidelines, but we urge you to do so if at all possible. Doing so contributes to the safety of your child.

EARLY DISMISSALS
Please check your calendars for these dates. The early dismissal times are as follows:
Bonney Lake 11:35 a.m.
Crestwood 12:10 p.m.
Daffodil 12:10 p.m.
Emerald Hills 11:35 a.m.
Liberty Ridge 12:10 p.m.
Maple Lawn 11:35 a.m. 
McAlder 11:35 a.m.
Victor Falls 11:35 a.m. 
Lakeridge Middle School 10:35 a.m.  
Mountain Middle School 10:35 a.m.
Sumner Middle School 10:35 a.m.  
Bonney Lake High School 10:35 a.m.  
Sumner High School 10:35 a.m.        

SECONDARY LATE STARTS
On late start days we run every secondary route exactly 3 hours later than usual. If the bus usually picks up at 7:10 a.m., it will pick up at 10:10 a.m. on a late start day.