Saddleback Valley Unified School District

Saddleback Valley Unified School District AR 3541.3

BUSINESS AND NONINSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS

BUS EVACUATION

Purpose:

To provide guidelines for instruction of students at all grade levels on their responsibility as bus passengers, including information about all escape routes, where they are and how each one works, and the proper procedure for leaving the bus in an emergency.

To teach the drivers and students how to evacuate a bus in the safest manner and in the shortest possible time.

To teach an emergency procedure. An emergency drill on bus evacuation will help to prevent panic and injury to those involved.

Instruction:

Each student should receive such instruction whether he/she is a regular bus rider because each student may ride a bus sometime during his/her school life.

1. The principal and staff of each school shall provide classroom instruction in safe riding practices and emergency bus evacuation for students.

2. The supervisor of Transportation shall initiate in-service workshops for bus drivers in emergency bus evacuation procedures.

A. The bus drivers shall verbally inform the students prior to each field trip of the location of emergency exits.

General:

At least twice during each school year, each pupil who is transported in a school bus shall receive appropriate classroom instruction in safe riding practices and shall participate in emergency bus evacuation drills. (California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 14255)

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

General Conduct:

Students are expected to conduct themselves in such a manner as to conform to classroom standards of behavior. Instructions of the driver must be followed.

BUS LOADING AREA

1. Be considerate of the property at your bus boarding area. Saddleback Valley Unified School District AR 3541.3

2. Line up in an orderly manner in preparation for boarding the bus.

3. Finish all food and/or beverages before boarding the bus.

4. Remove athletic shoes that have spikes or cleats before entering the bus.

5. Live animals, caged or otherwise except guide dogs, are not permitted on a school bus.

6. Bulky items or articles considered hazardous to passengers in the event of sudden stops or accidents shall not be transported or carried by passengers.

BOARDING THE BUS

7. Take seats quietly.

RIDING THE BUS

8. Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.

9. Standees shall not be permitted on any school bus.

10. Absolute silence is required at all railroad crossings.

Note: It is essential that the driver be able to hear as well as visually observe potential hazards.

11. Refrain from loud conversation, singing or whistling.

12. Profane or vulgar language is not permitted.

13. Smoking on the bus or at a loading area is prohibited.

LEAVING THE BUS

14. Pupils shall not leave their seats until the bus comes to a complete stop.

15. Leave the bus quietly and carefully. Keep away from the side of the bus as it departs.

16. If you must cross the street, do so in front of the bus with the assistance of the driver unless traffic laws prohibit such crossing. You may then cross behind the bus with the assistance of the driver.

VIOLATION OF RULES OF CONDUCT

Pupils transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of, and responsible directly to, the driver of the bus; and the driver shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils while they are on the bus or being escorted across a street, highway or road. Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be denied transportation. The bus driver shall not require any pupil to leave the bus enroute between home and school or other destination. (California Administrative Code, Title 5, Education, Section 14263) Saddleback Valley Unified School District AR 3541.3

SUSPENSION AND/OR DENIAL OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

When a passenger is in violation of rules of conduct, he will be reported to the school principal, or his designee, by means of a “Notice of Unsatisfactory Conduct,” to be given to the parent/guardian and:

1. The rider and his parent/guardian will be contacted by the principal or his designee and a conference arranged. Upon first offense, a warning or possible vehicle riding suspension will be given.

2. Upon a second violation of rules of conduct, the passenger will be denied transportation services for a period of three days.

3. Upon a third violation of rules of conduct, the passenger will be denied transportation services for a period of two weeks.

4. Upon a fourth violation of rules of conduct, the passenger will be denied transportation services for the remainder of the school year.

5. Threats of bodily harm or acts of extreme violence will be cause for immediate denial of bus transportation.

TRANSPORTATION: FIELD TRIPS

Rules applicable to regular home-to-school transportation also apply to educational, athletic and other school-sponsored trips.

TRANSPORTATION: POLICY ENFORCEMENT

The principal of each school provided with transportation shall be responsible for policy enforcement.

The Superintendent may review any or all violations for final recommendations, if necessary.

Legal Reference: EDUCATION CODE 8503 Instruction in Personal and Public Health and Safety CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, Title V, Sections 14247-14278 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html

CSBA: -- Approved: 10/75 Revised: 3/76 Readopted: 9/92 Readopted: _____