3. Only students who are eligible to ride may be transported and must ride their assigned bus.

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1 Bus Rider s Safety Handbook Page 1 of 6 Parent/Guardians and Bus Riders: The goal of the Bus Rider s Handbook is to help provide a safe and enjoyable experience for children who ride school buses. Parent/Guardian should take time to read and discuss the material in this handbook with their children. Riding a school bus is a privilege provided by the school district and should be treated as such. Student information must be completed and returned to the driver within two days after receiving. GENERAL SAFETY RULES: Important information: Because we have students that have allergies and asthma, both of these can cause a student to become very ill. Therefore, there will no longer be perfume, cologne or any scented spray or body wash allowed on the bus. Please, we ask each student to reframe from wearing anything scented, it can cause serious illnesses for those who have allergies or asthma. Thank you so much for your cooperation. 1. Students are under the authority of the Vidor ISD. Students will obey and follow the instructions of the drivers as if they are classroom teachers. At no time will a student act toward, or address comments to a bus driver in a disrespectful manner, or refuse to cooperate with the driver. 2. Board and leave the bus at designated stops only. 3. Only students who are eligible to ride may be transported and must ride their assigned bus. 4. Do not ask to ride home on another bus with a friend. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN RIDE ANOTHER BUS OR GET OFF AT A DIFFERENT STOP IS WITH A NOTE FROM PARENT/GUARDIAN. THE NOTE MUST STATE NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE# OF WHERE THE STUDENT IS GOING AND WHAT BUS# THEY ARE TO RIDE, STUDENT S NAME, CURRENT ADDRESS AND A PHONE NUMBER WHERE THE PARENT/GUARDIAN CAN BE REACHED. THE NOTE MUST BE SIGNED BY THE PRINCIPAL. The bus does not stop on Main Street from the Railroad Tracks to Tram Rd. except for apartment buildings. 5. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation to school in the morning or home in the afternoon if the child misses the bus. Procedure for Waiting for the Bus 1. Be at your stop five minutes before scheduled pickup time. Driver will not wait or honk. 2. Driver will not pick up students unless they are at their designated stop. 3. Stand at the end of your driveway or if you catch at the end of a road, be visible so the driver can prepare to stop. Your regular driver will learn where you catch the bus after a couple of weeks. But, you never know when there will be a sub on your bus. Therefore, you cannot depend on the driver watching for you. You must do your part and be VISIBLE. DO NOT HIDE, DO NOT PLAY AROUND, DO NOT GET IN THE ROADWAY. NO PUSHING, etc. YOU COULD GET HURT or MISS THE BUS. 4. Stand clear of the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the loading lights activate. If you must cross in front of the bus, watch the driver who will motion you when it s safe to cross. 5. When the bus approaches, form a line and be prepared to load immediately. Have books and other belongings together and in your hands. Promptly load the bus and go directly to your seat. The bus will not move until all students are seated. 6. If you miss the bus, go home immediately. DO NOT RUN AFTER THE BUS. ONCE THE BUS STARTS MOVING, IT WILL NOT STOP. 7. Parent/Guardians should instruct their children on what procedures to follow if the bus is missed. Parent/Guardians are responsible for providing transportation to and from school if your student misses the bus in the morning or afternoon.

2 Page 2 of 6 8. Students riding the bus will abide by the individual school s rules and regulations concerning students, including conduct and dress code. Loading the Bus 1. Do not push or shove. 2. Use handrail and steps. 3. Go to your seat. The bus will not move until all students are seated. 4. Students have a designated seating area such as: Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Middle School, Jr. High, High School. There may be an assigned seating arrangement. Go immediately to your seat in your assigned area. 5. DO NOT EVER RUN AFTER A BUS ONCE IT STARTS MOVING. 6. If you miss the bus at your campus, you must call someone to come pick you up. DO NOT RUN after the bus. WE WILL NOT STOP AND PICK YOU UP. Conduct on the Bus 1. Students MUST be quiet at Railroad Crossings. Students MUST be quiet when the bus is entering a major roadway or highway. This is a very important safety factor. The driver must be able to hear, and not be distracted. 2. Normal conversation is permitted: Talk only to your seat partner; any loud noises may distract the driver and create an unsafe condition. Do not scream or yell. 3. Remain seated while the bus is moving. Each student is expected to remain seated for the duration of the trip, and remain seated until the bus door opens at your stop. 4. The bus driver may assign seats. The student will remain in that seat until instructed otherwise by the driver. A student shall not refuse to sit in an assigned seat or deny another student a place to sit. 5. Students must sit facing forward for the duration of the trip, and must keep their feet on the floor in front of them and out of the bus aisle. Students cannot sit on back packs nor can they have them behind them. Back packs must be in the lap of the student. This is a very important safety factor. School buses are designed with compartmentalized seats that protect the students from injury if there is a crash or sudden stop, if the student is seated properly. Any item you bring on the bus must fit in your lap; if it does not, you must find another way to or from school. 6. Students will not extend any part of their body or any article out of the window whether the bus is in motion or not. 7. Do not spit or throw any object inside or outside of the bus. 8. Do not mark, cut or scratch any part of the bus. Vandalism costs will be paid by the person who is responsible. The person sitting in the seat will be responsible. 9. No animals (live or dead). It does not matter if it is a school project, animals cannot be carried on the bus. Parents/Guardians must make other transportation arrangements for student if their project includes animals, glass, sharp objects or if it cannot be held in the lap of the student. If a student has a back pack, normally, there is not enough room on the bus because of limited space. This rule applies for morning and afternoon. 10. DO NOT BLOCK THE AISLE OR EXITS. Any article (projects, band instruments, etc.) too large to be held in the student s lap or that impose on other riders or blocks the view of the driver will not be allowed on the bus. IF YOU HAVE TOO MANY ITEMS, YOU MUST FIND ANOTHER WAY HOME OR TO SCHOOL. 11. The emergency door and exit controls are never to be touched by students unless instructed by the driver to do so in the event of an extreme emergency or during an evacuation drill. 12. Scuffling, fighting and the use of obscene, vulgar, or profane language and gestures are forbidden and may constitute immediate semester dismissal. 13. Students must keep their hands to themselves. No pinching, hugging, or hitting. DO NOT BOTHER OR IRRITATE other people in any way.

3 Note: Page 3 of 6 If there is a fight on the school bus, and the bus is still at the campus, the students will be removed from the bus by the principal, a teacher, or security. If route is in progress, students can be taken to transportation if needed or radio for assistance and someone will come and remove the student. Appropriate action in regards to any fight on the school bus will be taken. The appropriate law enforcement agency will be called or it will be turned over to the principal in charge of the grade level involved. Getting Off the Bus 1. Stay seated until the bus is completely stopped. 2. Use the handrail and take one step at a time. 3. Wait your turn to leave the bus; pushing and crowding will only slow exiting and may cause an accident. 4. You must have a note signed from the principal to get off at a bus stop other than your own. The note must be given to driver when boarding the bus. 5. Stay clear of the bus; when you exit, briskly walk directly to your home. Do not go to the mailbox or try to continue to talk to students still on the bus. 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. Crossing the Street or Highway 1. Students that cross a street to load or unload must watch the driver for instructions to cross when safe. NEVER CROSS WITHOUT LOOKING BOTH WAYS AND YOU MUST CROSS IN FRONT OF THE BUS. NEVER, NEVER CROSS IN BACK OF THE BUS. 2. Students cannot cross Hwy 105 north or south, Hwy 12, Hwy 1131, and Hwy The parent/guardian must wait for the student on the same side of the Hwy the bus lets students off, and then walk the student across the street. Under no circumstance will the student be let off unless the parent/guardian is there to receive them. Prohibited Items 1. Tobacco 2. Live or dead animals or insects 3. Glass containers 4. Alcoholic beverages 5. Weapons, explosives (such as fireworks), knives, water guns, or unsheathed pointed articles, chains or any other object that could be considered dangerous or conflict with the safety of the students or the driver. 6. Students must keep the aisles clear. Any article (projects, band instruments, etc.) too large to be held in the student s lap or that imposes on other riders or blocks the view of the driver will not be allowed on the bus. 7. Matches or cigarette lighters or anything that produces a spark or flame. 8. Student will not eat or drink sugar drinks on any school bus. The reason students are not allowed to eat or have suckers, is a safety issue. If the bus is involved in an accident or has to make a quick stop, the student could get choked and the driver would not be able to get to the student. Drivers and school officials are not responsible for articles left on the bus. Discipline The school bus is an extension of the classroom. All rules that apply in the classroom carry over to the bus. The discipline will be administered by the grade level principal. All school board policies that apply to student conduct and other student related activities apply to the school bus. If a student is corrected several times during the bus ride, they will be assigned to a seat near the front. If the students behavior does not improve a Level 1 will be written (elementary only), a copy sent home, and a copy to the principal. Level 1 PreK-4 th grade and Middle School s 5 th and 6 th grades only.

4 Page 4 of 6 Discipline reports are a warning to the student and a notice to parents that our bus driver needs their help. A copy is sent home to the parent letting them know about the misbehavior. The parent needs to sign the level 1 and have the student return the signed copy to the bus driver. A copy is sent to the campus principal so they will know of the warning and misbehavior. A Level 1 discipline report does not suspend the student from the bus. It is a warning, and a request for the parents to intervene and speak to their student about their behavior. IF student behavior does not improve, a LEVEL II discipline report will be written and the student will be sent to their campus principal for discipline action. The student will not be allowed back on the bus until he/she has saw the principal and the pink copy, signed by the principal, has been returned to the driver. The pink copy is your ticket to get back on the bus. Elementary Discipline Bus Riders After a student has been warned three times: Parents will be called by driver or director. If no answer, a parent letter will be sent home with the student the next day and a copy to the principal. If no improvement: Level 1 If no improvement: 1 st Level 2 Principal, loss of school privilege If no improvement: 2 nd Level 2 Principal, conference with Parent, Student, Driver, and Director. If parent does not show up for meeting, student will be suspended from bus until meeting with parent. If no improvement: 3 rd Level 2 Suspension from bus 2 days. If no improvement: 4 th Level 2 Suspension from bus 5 days. If no improvement: 5 th Level 2 Suspension from bus 10 days. If no improvement: 6 th Level 2 Suspension from bus rest of semester. Exception to the above: Fighting: Webster says, an angry dispute; hitting one another with the intent to hurt. 1 st offense fighting, throwing punches: 1 day suspension from bus 2 nd offense fighting 3 days suspension from bus 3 rd offense fighting 5 days suspension from bus 4 th offense fighting Suspended from bus rest of semester Parent/Guardian: Please read and go over with your student THE STUDENT IS SUSPENDED FROM RIDING THE BUS WHEN A LEVEL II DISCIPLINE REPORT IS ISSUED TO THEM. THEY ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL THEY HAVE REPORTED TO THE CAMPUS PRINCIPAL, AND THE LEVEL II DISCIPLINE REPORT HAS BEEN HANDLED BY THE PRINCIPAL. The following Student Bus Discipline Guideline has been developed in conjunction with our mission statement and belief that students are to be dealt with equitably and taught responsibility. Changes have been made in our discipline guidelines to comply with the legislative mandates of Senate Bill I. The guidelines are subject to change as interpretations of the law are forwarded to us. The term guidelines indicate that application of the information contained herein is subject to interpretation by the assistant principal. Jr. High School - - School Bus Discipline Jr. High School Bus Discipline will be handled according to their HANDBOOK listed below:

5 Page 5 of 6 Junior High students are old enough to understand and follow the bus rules. Failure to follow these rules will result in the following consequences: 1 st referral Conference with the Assistant Principal Detention 2 nd referral 3 days suspension of bus riding privileges 3 rd referral 3 days suspension of bus riding privileges 4 th referral 1 month suspension of bus riding privileges 5 th referral 1 semester suspension of bus riding privileges Severely inappropriate behavior which impairs the safety of the other students on the bus or the ability of the bus driver to drive the bus will result in immediate loss of bus riding privileges. Fighting 1 st offense 5 days suspension from bus 2 nd offense 10 days suspension from bus 3 rd offense bus suspension rest of semester 4 th offense bus suspension rest of school year High School First Level II is sent to campus principal, student has conference with principal and parent is called. Second Level II the student returns to their Campus Principal: parent called, bus suspension 3 days. Third Level II 3 days suspension, possible bus suspension 5 days Fourth Level II 5 days suspension, possible bus suspension 10 days Fifth Level II 10 days suspension, possible bus suspension for semester Sixth Level II bus suspension for semester, possible bus suspension for remainder of year Immediate Suspension - SECONDARY ONLY (Middle School, Jr. High, High School) 1. Foul, vulgar language and/or gesture directed at Driver (Insubordination, 2 days suspension) 1 st offense 5 days bus suspension 2 nd offense 10 days bus suspension 3 rd offense bus suspension for rest of semester 4 th offense bus suspension for rest of school year 2. Foul, vulgar language and/or gesture 1 st offense immediate 3 day bus suspension 2 nd offense 5 days bus suspension 3 rd offense 10 days bus suspension 4 th offense bus suspension for rest of semester 5 th offense bus suspension for rest of school year 3. Obscenities, mooning (showing skin), flashing, sexual body language 1 st offense immediate 5 day s bus suspension 2 nd offense 10 days bus suspension 3 rd offense bus suspension for rest of semester 4 th offense bus suspension for rest of school year 4. Fighting 1 st offense 5 days bus suspension 2 nd offense 10 days bus suspension 3 rd offense bus suspension for rest of semester 4 th offense bus suspension for rest of school year Depending on the severity of the offense, the student could lose bus riding privileges immediately and the above procedure will not be followed. If a student is suspended from one school bus, he/she is suspended from all other buses as well. A school bus suspension is not an excused absence from school. Students will be expected to be at school each day of their bus suspension.

6 Page 6 of 6 Bus Student Discipline Appeal Process: Bus riding privileges that are revoked for more than two weeks may be appealed to the Superintendent. The appeal is to be made in writing to Superintendent and a copy to the principal and Transportation Director. In Case of an Accident or Emergency 1. Follow the driver s instruction. 2. If you must evacuate the bus, move to a safe location and stay in a group. 3. The following procedure will be used for evacuation in emergencies: a. The students assigned by the driver will open the emergency door, stand outside the rear of the bus and assist other students off the bus. b. DO NOT take your personal belongings, such as books, etc. c. Leave the bus in a single file as quickly and as quietly as possible. d. Evacuation will start with the seat nearest the door and will go from left to right until everyone is off the bus. The driver is the last one off and makes sure all students have exited the bus. e. Once outside the bus, follow the driver s instruction completely. Extracurricular Trips 1. Bus rider rules apply to all school sponsored events. 2. Discipline will be the responsibility of the trip sponsor. 3. The bus must be returned clean from a trip. 4. The aisle cannot be blocked. 5. If the students do not behave and the sponsor does not enforce the bus rules, the driver has been instructed to pull the bus over until order is restored. Parents and students: Thank you for your cooperation. The bus rules are in place for the safety of the students.