- Knik Elementary
- Overview
Bus Rider Rules
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STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
Alaska statutes do not mandate pupil transportation in this state. School bus transportation is provided as a courtesy and is a privilege, not a right. If a student’s conduct is such that the health, safety, comfort, or the well being of others is jeopardized, on or off the bus, the privilege of riding the bus may be denied by a school district official. The school bus driver is in charge of the bus and all its passengers and has total authority and responsibility. Only designated school officials are authorized to suspend transportation privileges.
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT PUPIL TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT REGULATIONS GOVERNING PUPILS RIDING SCHOOL BUSES
Alaska statutes do not mandate pupil transportation in this state. School bus transportation is provided as a courtesy and is a privilege, not a right. If a student’s conduct is such that the health, safety, comfort, or the well being of others is jeopardized, on or off the bus, the privilege of riding the bus may be denied by a school district official. The school bus driver is in charge of the bus and all its passengers and has total authority and responsibility. Only designated school officials are authorized to suspend transportation privileges.
1. Students are required to ride the bus assigned to them and to board and disembark at the stop assigned to them. Students may be transported to an unassigned bus stop or on a different bus on an occasional basis or for periods of time less than 30 days upon approval by the school office. Parents should contact the school office with their request. Requests for students to be transported to unassigned bus stops or on different buses for more than 30 days must be directed to the Transportation Office. The student must give the driver a Bus Pass issued by the school office authorizing this transportation.
2. Parents may not remove a student from a bus after the student has boarded without a Bus Pass or approval by a school representative.
3. Students will be issued School Bus Conduct Reports for infractions of the rules by the bus driver. The school bus driver and the school principal are responsible for handling behavioral problems occurring on the school bus, but only the school principal, or his/her designee, has the authority to suspend a student’s bus riding privileges.
1. Students must obey the school bus driver. His/her primary concern is for student safety. 2. Students should exercise good manners, caution and consideration for other people. 3. Elementary students will be assigned seats by the driver. High school and middle school students may also be assigned seats at the discretion of the driver. 4. Students may not have anything in their possession that may cause injury to others. 5. “Hookybobbying” or hanging onto any portion of the school bus from outside the school bus, whether the bus is moving or not, is illegal and DANGEROUS. 6. Items that can be held in the student’s lap or under the student’s seat in the bus may be transported on the bus. Some large musical instruments which are not larger than 43” x 14” x 10” may be transported on the bus. These instruments must be placed in the seat with the student next to the window. Tubas, drums, and some bass guitars or other instruments larger than specified above may not be transported. Radios, stereos, cassette tapes, CD Players, Video Games, etc. may be transported only on buses servicing schools which allow them on campus. Any items not permitted at school may not be transported on the bus. 7. Parents are responsible for damages to the school bus due to the misconduct of their children. 8. No animals, large or small, of any kind, are allowed on the bus at any time. 9. Ice skates must have protective guards on the blades or be placed in an appropriate box. Paper bags are not adequate blade protection. Hockey bags may be transported either under the seat or on the seat with the student next to the window. 10. Skis, ski poles and other such sharp edged objects will not be permitted unless previously coordinated with the Unit Principal and Transportation Department. Sleds and plastic toboggans may not be transported.
1. Always use the handrail and go up and down the steps one at a time. 2. Walk on the left hand side of the road facing traffic. 3. Stay a safe distance from the roadway. 4. Be at your stop five (5) minutes ahead of time. Your school bus driver has a schedule to keep and cannot wait for you. Be on time for your bus. 5. Line up at the place designated by the bus driver when the school bus approaches. 6. Stay clear of the wheels until the school bus has come to a complete stop--don’t play or push others. 7. Let the smaller children board first.
BOARDING AND OFF-LOADING THE SCHOOL BUS
1. Students must cross the roadway approximately fifteen (15) feet in front of the bus and only when the driver motions for pupils to cross. Stop immediately if the bus driver sounds the horn! 2. Students boarding from the right must also wait for the driver’s hand signal to board. 3. Don’t push, crowd or disturb others. 4. When boarding, go directly to your seat and be seated. 5. Do not cross the road to your bus stop until the bus gets there and the bus driver signals you to cross the road. 6. After you leave the bus, go directly home or to the assigned place.
1. In general, classroom conduct will be observed. The school bus is not a playground. Save horse-play and wrestling for another place and time. 2. Place books and other gear in your lap. 3. Avoid loud talking, confusion, or anything else that might distract the driver. 4. Do not sit in the driver’s seat or interfere with him/her in any manner at any time. 5. Keep quiet near railroad tracks so that the driver can listen for trains. 6. Keep head, arms and body inside the bus. 7. Do not throw objects inside or out of the bus. 8. Do not chew or spit tobacco, smoke, eat, drink, or make use of, or have in possession, alcohol, drugs or controlled substances on the bus. 9. Remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop and get off only at your assigned bus stop. 10. Do not open windows without permission; maximum two (2) notches. 11. Do not damage the bus and always assist in keeping it clean. 12. Keep feet on the floor in front of the seat, not in the aisle. 13. Fighting with other students and/or attacking other students or the driver is prohibited. 14. Use of abusive, vulgar language, or directing such language toward other students or adults, is prohibited. 15. Keep the aisle and the exits clear. 16. The emergency door and exit controls may be used only during supervised drills or actual emergencies.
MISCONDUCT POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Drivers are responsible for maintaining order on the buses. Administering sanctions for misconduct on the school bus is the responsibility of the principal at the school where the student is enrolled. Only the principal or designee has the authority to suspend a student’s bus riding privileges. It is the responsibility of the principal to advise parents when a student has been suspended. In the event of misbehavior on the part of the student riding the bus, the bus driver may issue the student a “School Bus Conduct Report” for minor and/or major infractions. The School Bus Conduct Report will be completed by the driver. Three (3) copies will be forwarded to the Unit Principal and one (1) copy will be retained by the school bus contractor. The Principal will retain one (1) copy in the student's file, forward one (1) copy to the parents and return one (1) copy to the school bus contractor indicating any disciplinary action taken. The following courses of action are considered as minimum: 1. Depending on the nature and severity of the incident, the first conduct report may result in a warning, or other disciplinary action, up to and including temporary or permanent suspension of bus privileges by the principal. 2. The second conduct report will result in the imposition of “PROBATIONARY” status. This process will include counseling with the student and official notification to the parents of the probationary action. Bus riding privileges may be denied the student for additional violations. 3. The third conduct report may result in suspension of bus privileges for a minimum of three (3) days, depending on the severity of the incident, and may not be reinstated until after a conference with the student and school personnel. 4. The fourth conduct report will result in suspension of bus privileges. In either case, privileges will not be reinstated until such time a conference has been held with the student, the parents, principal and the Transportation Department. This procedure will not preclude the right and responsibility of school officials to take other immediate action, as may be necessary in their judgment, for the preservation of good order and specifically for the safety and well being of other persons who ride the bus.FOR SAFETY'S SAKE
The bus driver has full responsibility and authority for the safety of students while they are being transported on a Mat-Su School District bus. Students must be responsible for their own conduct on the bus so that nothing they do will risk their own safety or the safety of others. Habitual misconduct may result in permanent suspension from the privilege of bus transportation. Suspension from bus transportation does not excuse the student from school attendance. Parents should discuss safety and good behavior on the bus with their children. Parent support of the bus driver and the school will ensure safe rides to and from school.
1. Riding on the school bus is a privilege and not a right. 2. If a pupil’s conduct is such that the health, safety, comfort, or well being of others is jeopardized, on or off the bus, the privilege of riding the bus may be denied by a school district official. 3. Have a safe, pleasant, and enjoyable trip.
FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION OFFICE – 373-2287
