Bus Rules & Crossing Rules

Students are to observe the same rules, as in the classroom, on the school bus anytime they are riding for any reason. Classroom rules can be located in the Code of Conduct, Policy 1005, Chapter 3 Section II. In addition to rules posted in the Code of Conduct, a list of bus rules is posted in each school bus for all students to follow.

Policy 1005, Chapter 3, Section II, Part F - Transportation and/or School Vehicle Misconduct:

“Students are required to conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior. Acts such as excessive noise, pushing, shoving and fighting will not be tolerated.”

FOLLOW THESE RULES

• Observe same conduct as in the classroom.
• Be courteous, use no profane language.
• Do not eat or drink on the bus.
• Keep the bus clean.
• Cooperate with the driver.
• Do not smoke.
• Do not be destructive.
• Stay in your seat.
• Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus.
• Bus driver is authorized to assign seats.

This list of rules is not meant to be exhaustive. The driver may need to incorporate additional rules on their bus in order to limit distractions while driving.

When the school bus comes to a child's bus stop, and the child must cross the street to board or exit the bus, students are required to follow the "Safe Crossing Procedure" that was developed for school bus safety in New York State.
 

Exiting the School Bus
 

1. "Check BEFORE You Step" - It has been reported that young people have been hit by bicyclists and passing motorists as they stepped off the school bus. A glance both ways before exiting the door provides that extra margin of safety.
    
2. "I See the Driver, the Driver Sees Me" - Children should walk 15 feet (at least 10 GIANT steps) out in front of the school bus. The child should be in the driver’s VISION at all times.
    
3. "Wait for the Driver’s Signal to Cross" - The driver, utilizing mirrors and proper crossing procedures, will signal the child to cross. Wait for the “Universal Crossing Signal.”
    
4. "Look Left, Right and Left Again" - Children need to stop at the front left corner of the bus, in front of the driver and look both ways before they cross the rest of the street. This will help them spot passing motorists (on the left side of the bus) early enough to retreat to the safety of the bus. They should never run across the street without stopping to look.
    

Safe Crossing Procedure for boarding the school bus
 

These same procedures can be adjusted for the time when a student must cross to board the school bus. The illustration shows proper crossing procedures for school bus riders who must cross the road prior to boarding the bus or after being discharged from the bus. Please review these procedures with your children; if they must cross the road in front of the bus, knowledge of safe crossing procedures is vital.
 

“Universal Danger Signal”
 

The driver sounding the bus horn is the "Universal Danger Signal". This sound means the area the child is about to walk into is not safe. If the child hears the bus horn, they are possibly in danger of a passing car and need to go back, immediately, in the direction that they came from.


Backpacks or Book Bags

Students should carry loose objects in backpacks so they are less likely to drop something while crossing in front of the bus. Do not attach things to the outside of the backpack; items can become caught on the bus. If the backpack becomes caught on something near or on the bus, leave it and move away from the bus quickly while waving your arms to get the bus driver's attention.  NEVER RUN AFTER THE BUS.


Danger Zone

Students are expected to stay 15’ away from the bus while walking. This ensures that the driver can see the child as they are crossing the road. In the illustration, the areas closest to the tires (in red) are the most dangerous, due to the fact that this area is the most difficult to see for the driver and the first area a child can get seriously or fatally injured. The general 15’ zone around the bus is also dangerous, especially for younger students due to their size and stature for driver visibility. Students remember this saying:

"If I can’t see the driver, the driver can’t see me! Also, never cross behind the bus!"

Bus Rules for PreK:

• Wait 15 giant steps away from the road.
• Wait for the driver to signal before walking toward the bus.
• Buckle up.
• Stay seated at all times.
• Keep hands to yourself.
• No eating or drinking.
• Use your indoor voice.
• Stop at the bottom step and look left, right and left.

Message to Prekindergarten parents/guardians for the start of a new school year:

Welcome to a new school year at Poland Central School District and the beginning of your child’s elementary education! This year will be filled with new experiences for you and your child, and we would like to work with you to get everything off to a great start. Because riding a school bus will be a new experience for most of our prekindergarten students, we have put together some information about safety and procedures. Please review the information on this page with your child before school begins in September.
 

To help ensure a successful transition onto the bus, we ask that an adult board the bus with your pre-k student and buckle him or her in the seat. This should only be for the first month of school while your child learns how to use the seatbelt. Students not yet 4 years of age are required to utilize the car seats provided on all our buses. Your school bus driver will show you where your child will be seated.
 

• Remove backpacks before sitting. Make sure when your child is seated they are sitting properly with their backs against the back of the seat in an upright position.
   
• Seatbelts should be tightened so that the belt is snug against his or her belly.
   
• Please explain to your child that anything brought to school should remain in his or her backpack while on the bus. Items that have been out can easily get broken or lost.
   
• While boarding the bus, your child should not be carrying any objects in his or her hands. While stepping on and off the bus, the handrail shall be held onto.
   
• Make sure that there are no drawstrings or items hanging from jackets or backpacks as drawstrings can easily get caught in the bus door as your child gets off the bus.
   
• Please teach your child to sit quietly while riding the bus. Behavior problems can distract the bus driver from safely driving the school bus.
   
• Please let us know if your child has any healthcare needs or medications that may be of concern while on the bus.
   
• Make sure that you and your child arrive at the bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled time.
   
• When the bus arrives, you and your child should wait until the driver signals it is safe to approach the bus to board. Wait at least 15 feet from the road.
   
• For students in Pre-K if a parent or a person that is listed on the contact list provided to the school is not outside to receive a child, the bus will continue on the run and return the child to school where the parent/guardian of the child will be responsible for pick up.
   
• Please make sure that your child has utilized the restroom prior to getting on the bus. We strive to make the most efficient routes, however some students can ride the bus for almost an hour before reaching their destination.
   
• If there are any changes to your pickup and/or drop off addresses, please notify the Elementary Office at 315-826-7900, option 2. The Office will notify the Transportation Department of the changes.

If there is a change in the pickup and/or drop off for the day, please send in a note. Phone calls for changes should be used in emergency situations.

We look forward to a new school year with your child. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call the Elementary Office at 315-826-7900, option 2.