Liberty Hill Independent School District School Bus Rider s Safety Handbook 2012-2013 Liberty Hill ISD 400 Championship Drive Liberty Hill, TX 78642 (512) 515-5301 8/15/12
LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT 400 CHAMPIONSHIP DRIVE LIBERTY HILL, TEXAS 78642 (512) 515-5301 Liberty Hill Independent School District Parents, Guardians and Students; The Liberty Hill ISD Transportation Department looks forward to serving our community over the 2012 2013 school year. Our staff realizes that the parents and guardians trust us to transport their most precious cargo in the world, their children. We have a caring, dedicated and professional staff providing the safest and most efficient transportation possible to the students of this district. The following are guidelines, procedures and regulations for riding Liberty Hill ISD school buses. We ask that you would please read and discuss this information with your child(ren) that may ride the school bus. As an acknowledgement, fill out the Liberty Hill ISD School Bus Rider s Contract and return it to the Transportation Department, or bus driver, prior to the end of the third week of school, (September 14, 2012). If you should need any additional information, or clarification of the School Bus Rider Safety Handbook, contact the Transportation Department at 512 515 5301. For information concerning bus routes visit the Transportation web page via the Liberty Hill ISD website. GO PANTHERS! Thank You, Fritz Klabunde Transportation Director Liberty Hill ISD
General Rules 1. Students will be courteous to fellow students and the school bus driver. 2. Seating assignments will be arranged by the bus driver and students are to remain in assigned seats for the duration of the trip. 3. Students will board and leave the bus at their designated stop only. 4. All bus riding changes must be approved by the campus principal/assistant principal. 5. Do not ask to ride home on another bus with a friend without a signed note from home. Notes must be signed by the student s campus administrator and a bus pass will be given to the student. (Parent notes will not be accepted by the driver). 6. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide transportation to school if a student misses the bus. 7. If students do not ride for five (5) consecutive days the bus stop will be taken off the route unless parents notify the Transportation Department. 8. Only school authorized personnel may enter a bus. Questions concerning the bus or bus driver actions are to be directed to the Transportation Director. (Bus or bus driver concerns will not be discussed at the bus stop.) Procedures For Waiting for the Bus 1. Be at your bus stop five minutes before scheduled pickup time. The driver will not wait or honk. 2. Stand back from the road while waiting for the bus. 3. When the bus approaches, form a line and be prepared to load immediately. 4. Stand clear of the bus until it comes to a complete stop, the parking brake is engaged, and the red loading lights come on. 5. Parents should instruct their child on what procedures to follow if the bus is missed. 6. Students will abide by the individual school rules and regulations concerning bus students, including student conduct. 7. The driver will not pick up a student unless they are at their designated stop. 8. Do not run after the bus after it has pulled away from the stop. Loading the Bus 1. Do not push or shove. 2. Use handrail and steps. Carry large bags and objects in front of you. 3. Go to your assigned seat immediately. The bus will not move until all bus riders are seated.
Conduct On the Bus 1. Remain seated while the bus is moving. Each student will be expected to remain seated for the duration of the trip, and remain seated until the bus door opens and the park brake is applied. 2. Do not change seats. The driver is required to assign each student a seat. 3. A student shall not refuse to sit in an assigned seat or deny another student a place to sit. 4. Normal conversation is permitted; any loud noises may distract the driver and create an unsafe condition. 5. Scuffling, fighting, and the use of obscene, vulgar, or profane language and gestures are forbidden; and may constitute immediate denial of bus privileges. 6. Do not spit or throw objects inside or out of the bus. Keep all pens and pencils put away at all times. 7. Do not mark, cut, or scratch any part of the bus. Vandalism cost will be paid by the person who is responsible. The cost to patch or repair the seat will range from $30.00 to $75.00 and the student will not be able to ride the bus until payment has been made to the Transportation Department or the campus in which the student attends. 8. The emergency door and exit controls should be used by students only during supervised drills or actual emergencies. 9. Students should never attempt to sit in the driver s seat or operate the passenger door or other driver controls except in cases of extreme emergency. 10. Students shall face forward for the duration of the trip, and shall keep their feet on the floor in front of them and out of the bus aisle. Keep all body parts inside the bus and to yourself. 11. Remain quiet when approaching railroad crossings. 12. Students will not eat, drink or chew gum on the bus. Water only is permitted on hot days. 13. Buses are equipped with a Video/Audio Monitoring System and are viewed by school personnel only. NOTE: Students that engage in conduct considered dangerous to the health and safety of themselves or to others will be subject to immediate emergency removal from the school bus pending a conference with his/her school administrator. Getting Off the Bus 1. Stay seated until the bus is completely stopped and the air brake is applied. 2. Use the handrail and take one step at a time when leaving the bus. 3. Wait for your turn to leave the bus; pushing and crowding will only slow exiting and may cause an accident. 4. You must use your assigned stop at all times, (AM and PM routes). 5. Stay clear of the bus when unloading. Do not chase or hang on to the bus at any time. 6. If any article drops or rolls near or under the bus, do not go after it. Go to the door of the bus and ask the driver for help. Dropping Off Pre-Kindergarten 1 ST Grade Students Parents or a designee must be at the bus stop to receive Pre-Kindergarten 1 st grade students. If the bus is on schedule and there is no one to receive the student, the driver will radio the campus and will continue on the route. At the completion of the route the student will be returned to the Campus. The parents will be responsible for picking up the student from that location. If this problem continues a conference between the parent, Transportation Director, and Campus Administrator will be held and an agreement made. Students in 2 nd grade and up will be dropped off at their assigned stop without parent or designee supervision. It is the parent/guardians responsibility to make sure arrangements are made to receive your child at the stop.
Crossing the Street or Highway 1. All students living on the left side of the roadway shall exit the bus and move to a point of 15 feet in front of the right bumper and wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to cross. 2. Check in both directions and walk directly across the road. 3. Never cross the road behind the bus. 4. CAUTION! Be alert for the vehicles that do not stop when the bus is loading and unloading students. 5. Cross all streets at intersections. Obey all traffic signals and signs on your way home. Accidents or Emergencies 1. Follow the driver s instructions. 2. If you must leave the bus, stay in a group. The student nearest to the door will open and hold it open, Leave the bus in a single file line as quietly as possible. Evacuation will start with the seat closest to the door. Once outside the bus, follow the drivers instructions completely Students are not allowed to leave an accident with parent or guardian until released by LHISD Officials and or Emergency Personnel Prohibited Items 1. Tobacco, alcohol, glass containers, balloons and assembled kites. 2. Weapons, explosive devices, matches, or lighters, harmful drugs, prescription drugs or chemicals. 3. Live animals or insects. 4. Any object (musical instruments, shop projects, sports equipment, sport balls, or baggage) too large to fit under bus seat or on students lap without imposing on the other students sharing the seat. All other items must be kept on the student s lap at all times. Parents/Guardian must arrange for other transportation when large, bulky items must be taken to and from school. Drivers and school officials are not responsible for articles left on the bus.
Use of Electronic Devices on School Buses The transportation department will enforce the following bus rules pertaining to electronic devices on buses. The use of these items can be detrimental to the safety and well-being of other students and the bus driver. Cell Phones: 1. Students who allow their cell phones to become a distraction or disruption on the school bus will be asked to put the phone away. Failure to do so may result in the cell phone being confiscated. Parents will then be required to pick up the cell phone at the student s campus during normal hours of operation. 2. Parents / Guardians are asked not to request to speak to the driver on the student s cell phone. The parents should contact the Transportation Department (512-515-5301) and ask to speak to the Transportation Director. 3. Students are encouraged to contact their parent / guardian when the bus has been delayed (after 15-20 minutes) and they are getting home late. We strive to keep our buses on schedule; however, some delays are beyond our control. When doing so, do not allow the phone use to become a distraction to the driver. 4. Taking pictures or capturing video of other students is prohibited. The driver is not responsible for un-authorized pictures or captured video. Electronic Devices: 1. Students who allow their MP3 players, IPODS, Etc to become a distraction or disruption on the school bus will be asked to put the item away. Failure to do so may result in the item being confiscated. Parents will then be required to pick up the item at the student s campus during normal hours of operation. 2. All electronic devices must have headphones or be placed on mute when in use. External noise from any device is not allowed on the school bus. 3. All electronic devices (headphones) must be kept at an acceptable volume level. If the driver requests the device to be turned down, please follow the directive. Students must be able to hear instructions from the driver at all times. 4. The use of any electronic device is a privilege. Students may lose this privilege if they fail to follow safety instructions from the driver.
Discipline The school bus is an extension of the classroom, and the Principal will administer discipline with assistance from the Transportation Director. All school board policies that apply to student conduct and other student related activities apply also to the school bus. Cameras will run at different times to record student s and driver behavior for bus safety. DESCRIPTION OF INFRACTIONS Category I Minor Infractions Include, but are not limited to the following: 1. Not following the bus driver s directions. 2. Screaming or yelling. 3. Throwing objects (items that distract-non harmful). 4. Not keeping hands and feet to self. 5. Eating or drinking on bus. 6. Not meeting the bus promptly. 7. Using profanity or making offensive remarks or gestures (automatic discipline referral). Category II Major Infractions Include, but not limited to the following: 1. Accumulating (3) three minor infractions. 2. Not staying in seat while bus is in motion (State Law). 3. Being defiant or disrespectful to the bus driver. 4. Fighting or Scuffling 5. Throwing harmful objects inside or outside of the bus. 6. Vandalism or destruction of the school bus. 7. Use of tobacco, lighters, drugs or alcohol. 8. Any unauthorized use of emergency exits. The following is an outline of the Bus Discipline Procedure: Step 1: The driver will inform the student of the problem behavior. The student will be given a verbal warning for misconduct. Every effort will be made to solve the problem prior to reporting the student to the campus principal. Step 2: The uniform disciplinary action for Liberty Hill ISD will be: A. First Minor Infraction - Driver will write up the student and turn in the write-up form to the Transportation Director in an effort to correct the situation. (This is the first time a student is written up-he/she has had previous verbal warnings documented by the driver.) A copy will be sent over to the campus administrator. B. Second Minor Infraction - Campus Administrator will administer appropriate discipline. C. Third Minor Infraction = First Major infraction - The student may be suspended from riding the bus for three (3) to five (5) days or the principal s discretion of an alternative discipline. Step 3: The uniform disciplinary action for Liberty Hill ISD will be: A. First Major Infraction - The student may have the suspension of bus privileges of up to 10 days and/or campus disciplinary action B. Second Major Infraction - The student may be suspended from riding the bus for up to two weeks and/or campus disciplinary action. C. Third Major Infraction - The student may be suspended from riding the bus for the remainder of the school year and/or campus disciplinary action. The campus administrator has the authority to skip steps for serious violations, or to repeat them if the misconduct is not a serious safety violation.
Liberty Hill ISD School Bus Rider s Contract (This contract must be signed and returned on or before September 14, 2012. Failure to do so will result in loss of bus riding privileges until such time contract is signed and returned to the bus driver.) I have been given and have read the Bus Rider s Safety Handbook and agree to abide by these rules. Student s Name (Please Print) Grade Date of Birth Student s Signature Student s Name (Please Print) Grade Date of Birth Student s Signature Student s Name (Please Print) Grade Date of Birth Student s Signature Parent s Name (Please Print) Parent s Signature Bus Pick-Up- Street Address (Please Print) Bus Drop-Off-Street Address (Please Print) City, Zip City, Zip Work Telephone Home Telephone Cell Telephone Emergency Name Emergency Number Relationship Bus Driver Bus Route