Tips for School Bus Riders

I am going to run a short series on school safety each day this week. Since we're all heading back to school, or already have gone back I thought it might help to remind us as parents of the extras we can do to keep the kids safe. A lot of this reference information comes from the Florida Department of Education Office of School Transportation Management, Office of Safe Schools.

At the Bus Stop:

1. Students and parents need to be responsible for safety and proper student behavior going to and from the stop and while waiting for the bus.


2. Students must stay off the road while waiting.


3. Students must respect other people's property - nobody wants coke cans and candy wrappers on their lawn.


4. Students must not push, shove, or engage in horseplay.


5. Parents should supervise children at the stop.


6. Students must arrive at the stop at least five minutes prior to the scheduled pick up time.


7. Students must wait for and get off the bus only at approved stop locations

During Loading and Unloading of the Bus:

1. Always stay away from the 12 foot "danger zone" around the bus, except when you are directed by the driver to get on or off the bus.


2. Never pick up an object that you drop under or near the bus. Ask the driver for help.


3. Make sure clothing and backpacks have no loose drawstrings or long straps that could catch in the handrail or bus door.


4. When you see the bus coming, stand at the stop and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop.


5. Always wait for the driver to signal that it's safe to cross the road and/or load into the bus.


6. When crossing a traffic lane, always look left, right, then left again; cross only if approaching traffic has stopped.


7. Never walk behind a bus.


8. Only board your assigned bus, unless other arrangements are approved by your school.