Student Expectations
Prior to Loading the Bus
- Stand at least 5 giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road.
- Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.
- Be careful that clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus.
- Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus.
- Walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps (10 feet) ahead.
- Be sure the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.
- Stop at the edge of the bus and look left-right-left before crossing.
- Tell the bus driver if you drop something beside the bus. Should you try to pick it up, the bus driver may not see you and drive away.
After leaving the bus:
- If the student must cross the road after leaving bus, he or she shall wait for the driver’s thumbs up signal before crossing in front of the bus.
- If a student lives on the side of the road on which the bus stops, he or she shall move away from the bus immediately after getting off.
- Student should maintain a 10-foot separation between themselves and the bus.
- Students will be dropped off only at their designated bus stops.
Safety Video
While on the Bus
- Always sit fully in the seat and face forward
- DO NOT distract the driver
- Never stand on a moving bus
- Obey the driver
- Speak in a low voice
- NEVER stick anything out the window - arms, legs, head, bookbags, etc
Stop for the Bus
As a value member of the Osceola School District Community, we thank you for taking the proper measures for keeping our student and community safe during the school year and all year round. Below we'd like to share with you things that you can do to help prevent accidents, injuries and become a safer driver while sharing the roads and higways with our school buses.
In a 180-day school year, it is estimated that there are almost two million illegal “passes” of Florida school buses, each representing the possibility of tragic injuries or fatalities to students.
Florida Motor Vehicle Laws require that motorists stop upon approaching any school bus which displays its flashing red lights and has its stop signs extended.
Protect our Community and Protect our Children!
Helpful Links
Stopping For School Buses - It's the Law!
Standards of Conduct for Riding a Bus
Section 1006.10 (1-7), Florida Statutes gives school bus drivers the authority to monitor and control the behavior of students any time they are being transported to and from school or school functions at public expense.
Standards of Conduct for Riding a School Bus: Student conduct, which distracts the driver, endangers the health and safety of other students, or demonstrates a willful disregard for transportation rules shall be reported to the Principal or the Principal’s Designee.
The following rules of conduct apply to all students when they are being transported on a school bus.
- Students must be at the bus stop on time (ten minutes prior to scheduled pick-up). The bus driver cannot wait for those who are tardy.
- Students are to stand at least five (5) feet off the roadway at all times while waiting for the bus.
- A student’s parents have the responsibility for the control and direction of the student at the bus stop.
- Students must ride their assigned buses and cannot board or depart the bus at any stop other than their regular stop, unless authorized by the Principal and the Transportation Department.
- Students are to enter the bus in an orderly manner and sit in assigned seat, and buckle seat belt (if applicable).
- Students must obey the driver, monitors, and chaperones at all times and follow the standards of conduct while riding the school bus.
- Students are to remain seated, facing forward at all times when the bus is moving. All portions of the student’s body are to remain inside the bus.
- No eating, drinking, or chewing gum is allowed on the bus.
- No glass or breakable containers are allowed on the bus.
- No reptiles, insects, animals, or marine life (dead or alive) are allowed to be transported on the bus.
- Absolute silence is required of students at railroad crossings and/or anytime the dome lights are on.
- Bulky or objectionable objects, including musical instruments, that cannot be held in the student’s lap is not permitted on the bus. No objects may block the aisles or emergency exits.
- No items are to be thrown or propelled out of the bus windows. (Behavior that violates this rule/expectation may be classified as a felony. The student and the parent/guardian shall be held responsible for any damages that result from such an act.)
- No littering, throwing, or propelling objects inside the bus is allowed.
- Defacing or vandalizing a school bus is forbidden. Restitution will be required for any damages sustained to the bus.
- No profanity, obscene language, offensive gestures, or offensive materials of any nature are permitted on the bus.
- Smoking and/or use of any tobacco products or other mood altering substances is strictly prohibited.
- No posters or signs are to be displayed from the bus.
- After disembarking, those students who must cross the road shall cross approximately ten (10) feet in front of the stopped bus or as directed by the bus driver.
- Students are subject to be video taped at anytime in order to monitor student behavior and to ensure the security and safety of the students.
Note: The consequences for a violation of rules for conduct while being transported on a school bus may include, but are not limited to, suspension of transportation to and from school and school functions at public expense, out-of-school suspension and/or recommendation for expulsion.
Any student, who does not abide by the rules stated above, will be disciplined and may be suspended from the bus. RIDING A SCHOOL BUS IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A RIGHT.