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  4. Student Expectations

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

A graphic representing danger zones around a stopped school bus

 

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.

 

A drawing showing the rules for stopping for school buses in different road scenarios

 

Protect our Community and Protect our Children!


Helpful Links
Stopping For School Buses - It's the Law!

When Walking Home

  1. More the Merrier: Parents should walk with young children to the bus stop and wait with them until they get on the school bus. Older students should consider walking safely in a group.
  2. Walk Facing Traffic: If there is no sidewalk and you must walk on the side of the road, choose the side where you are facing oncoming traffic. This gives you the best chance to see traffic approaching closest to you and move out of the way when needed.
  3. Cross Safely: Look both ways before crossing any street! At controlled intersections, it is wise to cross only when you have the pedestrian crossing light, but even then, drivers and bikers may have a green light to turn and won't be expecting you to be in the crosswalk. Make eye contact with any drivers who may be turning. Give them a wave. Make sure they see you. In a car-walker interaction, you can only lose.
  4. Walk Single File: Unless you are on a sidewalk separated from the road or a wide bike lane, you should walk in single file. This is especially important on a road with lots of curves, where traffic has only a split-second chance of seeing you before hitting you. While it can be enjoyable to walk down the road next to two or three friends, drivers don't expect it.
  5. Stay Aware of Bikes and Runners: Share the road and path with bikes and runners. Bike riders should alert you when approaching from behind with a bike bell or by shouting "passing on the left/right." Listen for them and move to walk single file, allowing them to pass safely. Runners should also call out for passing. Bike-walker collisions can result in broken bones or head injury for either — and you aren't wearing a helmet.
  6. Keep the Volume Down: Don't drown out your environment with portable music players. Keep the volume at a level where you can still hear bike bells and warnings from other walkers and runners.
  7. Hang Up, Eyes Up: Chatting or texting on a mobile device while you walk is as dangerous as doing those things while driving. You are distracted and not aware of your environment. You are less likely to recognize traffic dangers, passing joggers and bikers or tripping hazards. Potential criminals may also see you as a distracted easy target.
  8. Be Aware of Stranger Danger: Choose your walking route for paths frequented by other walkers, joggers, and bikers. If you see someone suspicious, be prepared to alter your course or go into a store or public building to avoid them. Acting alert and aware can convince bad guys you are not an easy target.
  9. Stand Back: Stand at least 6 feet from an approaching school bus while waiting at a bus stop.
  10. Be on time, and don't rush: Many children arriving late for the school bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic. Take care to be on time, but if you are running close to pick up, remember it is better to be late than injured.

A group of children walk together, carrying backpacks, on a paved path.

Standards of Conduct for Riding a Bus

A picture of three children stand in front of a yellow school 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.

  1. 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.
  2. Students are to stand at least five (5) feet off the roadway at all times while waiting for the bus.
  3. A student’s parents have the responsibility for the control and direction of the student at the bus stop.
  4. 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.
  5. Students are to enter the bus in an orderly manner and sit in assigned seat, and buckle seat belt (if applicable).
  6. Students must obey the driver, monitors, and chaperones at all times and follow the standards of conduct while riding the school bus.
  7. 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.
  8. No eating, drinking, or chewing gum is allowed on the bus.
  9. No glass or breakable containers are allowed on the bus.
  10. No reptiles, insects, animals, or marine life (dead or alive) are allowed to be transported on the bus.
  11. Absolute silence is required of students at railroad crossings and/or anytime the dome lights are on.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.)
  14. No littering, throwing, or propelling objects inside the bus is allowed.
  15. Defacing or vandalizing a school bus is forbidden. Restitution will be required for any damages sustained to the bus.
  16. No profanity, obscene language, offensive gestures, or offensive materials of any nature are permitted on the bus.
  17. Smoking and/or use of any tobacco products or other mood altering substances is strictly prohibited.
  18. No posters or signs are to be displayed from the bus.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.

 

Click Here to see the this information in Spanish.