Bus Safety Expectations for Students

Buses are like a classroom

School buses and bus stops are extensions of the classroom. For this reason students are expected to behave and follow all school and bus rules and the district’s Student Code of Conduct while they use bus transportation services.

A student who does not abide by these rules or the Code of Conduct threatens the safety of all students and employees on the bus, and the student will be reported to a school administrator.

School administrators will determine if the student may or may not continue to have the privilege to use bus transportation services. A school administrator's decision is final.

School Bus Safety

School bus drivers have authority over, and responsibility for, students while on the bus. It is the student’s responsibility to adhere to the Bulloch County Schools Code of Conduct, follow established school bus rules, and to listen and follow directions from their school bus driver.

Proper student behavior is vital because distracting bus drivers could be hazardous to student safety, the safety of the driver and the safety of other vehicles and drivers on the road. 

Students and parents/guardians should be aware that students are responsible for their actions and behavior. The privilege of school bus transportation can be denied if students do not conduct themselves properly.

The following are some general rules of conduct for student safety while on the school bus:

• Have all items in your book bag before you leave home so you don’t drop anything. 
• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to come. 
• Once at your bus stop, wait in a safe place, at least 12 feet away from traffic. 
• If you miss the bus, never chase after a bus, never walk to another bus stop, and never drive to another bus stop. Go back home. Get help or use a phone to call for help to get someone you know to take you to school. Walking or driving to another stop is very dangerous. Your bus driver will not expect you, and will not know to look for you.
• Keep electronic equipment packed away. Never use electronic devices or wear ear buds/headphones when getting on or off the bus. You must be able to hear your bus driver and be alert to any danger. 
• Follow directions from the school bus driver the first time they are given. 
• Remain seated.
• Use classroom conduct at all times.
• Respect the rights and safety of others. 
• Remain absolutely quiet at railroad grade crossings. 
• Do not attempt to board or leave the bus at any locations other than the assigned stop.
• When exiting the bus, move immediately away from the bus and get out of the danger zone. Go directly home.  Do not stop to do other tasks such as check the mail.
• If a student needs to make a transportation change, he/she must present a written request signed by the parent to the school office, and the office must approve it before the change is made.  

Video Surveillance on Buses

Bulloch County Schools has video surveillance equipment on all regular-route buses. The equipment is there for safety purposes and to assist the school district with alleged discipline or safety issues on a bus.

Videos are used to identify any adult or child who may threaten the safety of those on board the bus. All videos from these cameras are the property of the Bulloch County Board of Education.  

Every effort is made to regularly test and maintain the equipment to ensure it is in working order; however, the possibility of equipment failure exists.  Videos may be pulled by school or district administrators if they have reason to believe an alleged discipline or safety incident has occurred.

Any one of these administrators may also authorize other persons or a law enforcement agency to view a video.  School bus surveillance videos can be used as evidence in disciplinary hearings.

Bus Discipline

Disciplinary action for bus misbehavior is administered by the school administrators or other designee at the school.  School administrators have the authority to impose an immediate suspension for serious offenses. School administrators may also add any other disciplinary action deemed necessary.

School bus drivers do not discipline children, although they have the prerogative to assign seats or move a child from one seat to another to solve a discipline problem. If a student engages in physical acts of violence, bullying, vaping, sex-related offenses, or other acts which endanger themselves or other students, the student will be subject to the disciplinary consequences explained under the other relevant sections in the Bulloch County Schools Student Handbook.