Bus Rules and Regulations

BUS REGULATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Bus transportation to and from school is provided for all students who live beyond the walking distance.  Regulations have been established to govern bus usage in order to avoid disruptions in transportation or school schedules, to prevent unnecessary damage or wear to the vehicles and most importantly to protect student’s health and safety.  Parents and students are urged to review all of the following regulations carefully.  Buses are operated for the convenience and protection of students, and they are expected to observe all regulations if they wish to maintain bus riding privileges.

At this time we not permitting guest riders on buses to accompany registered students. 

The ride to school can set the tone for the whole day for your child.  You can take comfort in knowing that the school bus is the safest form of transportation to school.  Our bus drivers are highly skilled drivers who undergo continual training and schooling to keep them updated to make your child’s ride a safe one.  Your child’s safety is of the utmost importance to our Transportation Staff.



INCLEMENT WEATHER

On days when the weather conditions may prevent the safe travel of buses to transport students to and from school the district will close.  School closings are communicated by District Communications in several ways:

+ SchoolMessenger - During registration you can request to receive phone calls, emails, and/or text messages for these communications 

+ Broadcast on local news channels 2, 4, and 7

+ Emergency alert on the school website at www.oxfordschools.org 

+ Posted Oxford Community Schools Facebook page 

You are also welcome to call the Transportation department as well at 248.969.1888.  When Oxford Schools are closed due to weather, transportation is also canceled for Special Education Center Programs.

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Arrive at the bus stop 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.  The bus will not wait for the arrival of passengers. 
  • Observe all safety precautions while waiting for the bus.  Stand at least 10 feet off the roadway, and remain at this point until the bus has come to a complete stop and the driver opens the door.  Board the bus in single file, do not push or shove if it is a group stop.
  • Avoid trespassing on or causing damage to private property.  Avoid being noisy at the bus stop.
  • Never run to or from the bus.  Never crawl under the bus. 
  • While on the bus, remain seated properly at all times.
  • Be courteous and respectful to the driver and fellow students.
  • Keep your hands to yourself and do not take other students property.
  • Use appropriate language.
  • Help keep the bus clean and report any damage to the driver.
  • Follow all the rules and regulations outlined in the student code of conduct.

 

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Thoroughly discuss the bus rules and student code of conduct with your children.
  • Make sure your children arrive at the bus stop 5-10 minutes before the pick-up time.
  • Have children properly dressed for weather conditions.
  • Provide necessary protection for your children when going to and from the bus stop.
  • Accept joint responsibility with the school authorities for the safety and proper conduct of your children.
  • Appear in person as necessary with school officials to discuss disciplinary action.
  • Provide transportation for your child if he/she loses riding privileges.
  • As a courtesy to the driver, have your student inform the bus driver when there is going to be a planned absence, especially if you live in a remote area.  If a student is at an individual remote stop and does not ride the bus for 4 consecutive school days, the stop will be discontinued until the transportation department receives further notification.


BUS MISCONDUCT/DISCIPLINARY REFERRAL PROCEDURES

When Bus Misconduct Tickets or Disciplinary Referrals are issued, the appropriate school administrator will review the ticket in accordance with the code of conduct and determine appropriate disciplinary action.  Behavior on the bus is defined by the same rules as behavior in the classroom. 

Two types of tickets/referrals may be issued:

  1. A Half (1/2) Warning Ticket
  2. A Full Ticket or Disciplinary Referral

When a half (1/2) ticket is issued the bus driver gives the ticket to the student to take home and have their parent sign and return the ticket to the driver the next school day.  The dispatcher in the transportation department also calls the parent to let them know a ticket has been issued.   A copy of the ticket is also sent to the school principal.

When a full ticket or disciplinary referral is issued, the dispatcher at the transportation department will email the ticket to the appropriate Principal or Dean of Students.  The administrator meets with the student to issue the ticket and also determines the level of discipline that the student receives.  Discipline, including bus suspensions, is determined by the school administrator not the transportation department.   

The driver does have the right to assign seats for unacceptable behaviors.

 

SAFETY TIPS PARENTS CAN REINFORCE WITH THEIR CHILDREN

WHEN WAITING FOR A SCHOOL BUS:

  1. Stay a safe distance from the roadway, at least 10 feet away from the edge of the road
  2. Wait in a straight line
  3. No pushing or horseplay
  4. Walk to the bus when the door opens and the air brake is set (makes a whooshing sound) not before
  5. Use the handrail when boarding the bus
  6. Children are responsible for their behavior at the bus stop, but adult supervision is always helpful

BEFORE CROSSING THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE BUS:

  1. Be sure you are least 10 large steps away, but in front of the bus, so that the driver can see you from head to toe
  2. Look both directions before stepping into the roadway
  3. When getting off the bus, stop at the edge of the bus and look both directions
  4. When traffic is clear, proceed across the road but keep checking for traffic as you walk
  5. Never run
  6. Never cross behind the bus

  

INFORMATION for KINDERGARTEN PARENTS

All day kindergartners that qualify for transportation are expected to go to the neighborhood pick up and drop off points with other elementary children.  Parents or older siblings should assist kindergartners to and from these stops.   If your kindergartner does not have an older sibling to walk home with, we expect to see a parent or another adult at the bus stop to receive them.  Pick up and drop off times can change as route changes occur.

It is important to note that Kindergarten children……

  • Lack knowledge of traffic risks
  • Have little interest in monitoring vehicle movement and positions
  • Do not recognize a vehicle as a dangerous machine
  • Do not understand the need to be seen
  • Are cooperative and follow procedures if reminded at the time of the action
  • Have selective vision and hearing