Student School Bus Behavior Expectations

Riding the school bus is an extension of the school day, and student safety is our top priority. To make sure every ride is safe, respectful, and comfortable, students are expected to follow these expectations when riding, boarding, and exiting the bus. Please remember that bus drivers are in charge at all times and that all of our buses are equipped with video cameras to help ensure a safe environment.

While Riding the Bus

To keep yourself and others safe, we expect you to:

• Follow the driver’s directions right away.

• Stay seated, facing forward, for the entire ride.

• Keep your hands, feet, and belongings to yourself, and keep everything inside the bus.

• Speak quietly to students seated nearby and use respectful, school-appropriate language.

• Do not eat or drink on the bus at any time.

• Open windows only when the driver says it’s safe.

• Ride only your assigned bus to and from your designated stop.

Getting On or Off the Bus

Parents are responsible for their child’s behavior while waiting at the bus stop.

For everyone’s safety, students should:

• Line up single file to board.

• Wait until the bus is fully stopped and the driver gives a “thumbs up” signal before approaching.

• Always walk to the bus—never run—and cross in front of the bus at least 10 feet away so the driver can see you.

• Go directly to your seat and sit quickly; follow any assigned seating rules. Elementary students sit by grade, with kindergarteners at the front and 6th graders toward the back.

• Wait until the bus has come to a full stop before standing to exit. Leave your seat quickly and quietly, and wait for your turn.

• Exit only through the front door unless there’s an emergency requiring use of the rear exit.

• After exiting, walk away from the bus—not alongside it—and look to the driver for a “thumbs up” before crossing the street.

Additional Guidelines

• Smoking, vaping, lighting matches, or alcohol use on the bus is strictly prohibited by state law.

• Parents are responsible for the cost of any vandalism caused by their child.

• Items that create safety hazards, including sharp objects, animals, or large items that block seating, are not allowed. The Transportation Office has final authority to make these determinations.

Students’ Rights

Students have the right to share their side of the story with their school administrator before any disciplinary action is taken as a result of a bus incident. Students will always be transported to their designated stop until a disciplinary decision has been made. Bus drivers cannot drop students off anywhere other than their approved destination.

Disciplinary Process

If a student violates bus expectations, the driver will submit a formal report to the Principal, who will handle disciplinary action:

• First Offense: The Principal will meet with the student and notify parents with a written or phone message. In serious cases, bus privileges may be suspended immediately.

• Second Offense: The Principal will again meet with the student and send a second notice home. Suspension of bus privileges may be applied in serious situations.

• Further Offenses: The Principal will meet with the student and parents to determine the length of a bus suspension.

• Violations of State Law: (e.g., smoking, lighting matches, vaping, etc.) will result in a minimum one-week suspension from the bus.

The Principal will determine the length of any suspension based on the seriousness of the offense and may extend the suspension beyond one week if necessary.

Bus Pass Policy and Forms

ABRSD Bus Pass Policy

ABRSD Bus Pass Procedures

ABRSD Permanent Bus Pass Form