The goal of this Safety Manual is to help provide a safe and enjoyable experience for children and adults who ride school buses. The Safety Manual can also be found in the your child's Campus Handbook and we encourage parents to take time to read and discuss the materials in this manual with their children. Riding a school bus is a privilege provided by the school district and should be treated as such.

1. Obey the instructions of the bus driver. At no time should a student be disrespectful or refuse to cooperate with the driver.
2. Board and leave the bus at designated stops only.
3. All students must ride their assigned bus.
4. Do not ask to ride home on another bus with a friend.
5. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation to school if a child misses the bus.

1. Be at your bus stop five minutes before scheduled pickup time. The driver will not wait or honk, nor will he/she stop for late students or students running for the bus.
2. Students should be no closer than 10 feet from the bus, which is called the "Danger Zone." Be in plain sight of the approaching bus driver and other traffic. Be watchful and don't play around.
3. Before the bus approaches, form a line and be prepared to load immediately.
4. Stand still and clear of the bus. Move toward the bus ONLY after the door opens and/or driver signals you to load.
5. If you miss the bus, go home immediately.
6. Parents should instruct their children on what procedures to follow if they miss the bus.

1. Do not push or shove.
2. Stay out of the bus "Danger Zone." Wait until the door opens or driver gives signal before approaching the bus.
3. Use the handrail and steps.
4. Go directly to your assigned seat. The bus will not move until all students are seated. Delays affect traffic and schedules.
5. Seating arrangement will be assigned.
6. Stay clear of the bus when the engine is started. Do not chase or hang onto the bus at any time. Stay out of the bus "Danger Zone."
7. At campuses while loading in the afternoon, students will not be allowed to board a bus after the doors are closed without administrative approval.

1. Remain seated while the bus is moving.
2. Do not change seats.
3. A student shall not refuse to sit in an assigned seat or deny another a place to sit.
4. Each student will remain seated for the duration of the trip.
5. Students must remain quiet at railroad crossing.
6. Normal conversation is permitted; avoid loud noises that may distract the driver and create an unsafe condition.
7. Scuffling, fighting and the use of obscene, vulgar or profane language and gestures are forbidden.
9. Do not throw objects inside or out of the bus.  This action may result in a suspension of riding privileges.
10. Do not litter, mark, cut or scratch any part of the bus.
11. The emergency door and exit controls should be used by pupils only during supervised drills or actual extreme emergency.
12. Students shall never attempt to operate the passenger door or other controls except in case of extreme emergency.
13. Students shall face forward for the duration of the trip, and shall keep their feet in front of them and out of the bus aisle.
14. Due to security purpose all outer wear such as coats, jackets, and sweaters must be worn at all times or placed in a secure location such as a bag or backpack. In addition no hoods from jackets, beanies, caps, etc. may be worn at any time while on the bus.

1. Stay seated until the bus has come to a complete stop and the door has been opened.
2. Use the handrail and take one step at a time when leaving the bus.
3. Wait for your turn to leave the bus. Pushing and crowding will only slow exiting and may cause an accident.
4. Stay clear of the bus when the engine is started. Do not chase or hang onto the bus at any time. Stay out of the bus "Danger Zone."
5. If an article drops or rolls near or under the bus, do not go after it! After the driver acknowledges and signals to you, only then should you go to the bus door and ask the driver for help.

Parents or a designee must be at the bus stop to receive PK and K students. If no one is there to receive the student, the student will be returned to Gator Academy at 3606 Yupon St. in Dickinson. It is the responsibility of the parent to see that students who are returned to Gator Academy are picked up.  Any student returned three times a semester will have their riding privileges suspended until a conference with the parents and transportation representative is held and an agreement is made. If riding privileges are reinstated and the student is returned for the fourth time a 3 day suspension from the bus may be issued after a conference is held. If riding privileges are reinstated and the student is returned for the fifth time a 5 day suspension from the bus may be issued after a conference is held. If riding privileges are reinstated and the student is returned for the sixth time a 1 month suspension or suspension for the remainder of the semester may be issued after a conference is held.  

Name(s) of persons eligible to receive student must be registered with the campus.

An employee representative should be waiting at the designated bus to receive students. If no one is there to receive the student(s), they will be returned to Gator Academy.  Any student(s) returned 3 times a semester will have their riding privileges suspended until a conference with the parents, daycare representative, and transportation representative is held and an agreement is made.    If riding privileges are reinstated and the student is returned for the fourth time a 3 day suspension from the bus may be issued after a conference is held. If riding privileges are reinstated and the student is returned for the fifth time a 5 day suspension from the bus may be issued after a conference is held. If riding privileges are reinstated and the student is returned for the sixth time a 1 month suspension or suspension for the remainder of the semester/year may be issued after a conference is held.

Students will be picked up and dropped off at the designated bus stop. Only one location for pick-up and one location for drop-off will be allowed. Any request for change must be made and approved by the campus at which the student is enrolled. All requests must be made 2 days prior to needed change and must be for a minimum of 5 days. Changes to student pick-up and drop-off locations can be made a maximum or two times per semester.

Students will be allowed to possess cellular phones/electronic devices (i.e. iPods) while on the bus. These devices must not be heard. Phone conversations, taking pictures or videos are not permissible. If a cell phone/electronic device creates a distraction or disturbance to the driver the request may be made to put the device away in a secure location or may be confiscated. Confiscated cellular phones/electronic devices will be returned to the student’s parent or guardian only. A $15.00 administrative fee may be charged for this return. Unclaimed cellular phone or electronic devices will be disposed of after 30 days. Lost or stolen phones/electronic devices are not the responsibility of Dickinson ISD, and no administrative effort will be spent in investigating lost or stolen phones/electronic devices.

1. All students living on the left side of the roadway shall exit the bus and move to a point 10 to 15 feet in front of the right bumper and wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to cross.
2. Check in both directions and walk directly across the road.
3. Never cross the road behind the bus.
4. CAUTION! Be alert for vehicles that do not stop when the bus is loading or unloading students.
5. Obey all traffic signals and signs on your way to and from the bus stop.

1. Tobacco
2. Live animals or insects
3. Glass containers
4. Alcoholic beverages, harmful drugs or chemicals
5. Weapons and explosive devices
6. Any object (musical instrument, shop project) too large to be carried by the student. All other items must be kept on the student's lap or within the seating compartment and may not deny another student a seat.
7. Balls or balloons
8. Matches and cigarette lighters
9. Food or drinks (no eating or drinking on the bus is permitted). Water will be permitted in a re-sealable, non-breakable container.
10. Chewing gum
11. Lasers or mirrors used to reflect light
12. Fireworks
13. Sound producing electronic devices
*The above list of prohibited items may not include all prohibited items. At the discretion of the Transportation Department an item may be determined to be inappropriate or prohibited from the bus.

1. Follow the driver's instructions.
2. If you must leave the bus, stay in a group. Move to a safe place.
3. The following procedures will be used for evacuation in an emergency situation:
a. The students nearest the door will open the door and hold it open.
b. Leave the bus in a single file as quickly and quietly as possible.
c. Evacuation will start with the seat nearest the front door unless otherwise instructed.
d. Follow the driver's instructions completely.

     Students who participate in school-sponsored trips are required to use transportation provided by the school to and from the event.  The principal, however, may make an exception if the parent makes a written request that the student be released to the parent or to another adult designated by the parent.

    Educational field trips shall be provided when planned with a definite purpose and objective.  Only school buses and principal approved staff-driven SUV-type automobiles may be used for transportation.  A signed permission from the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of each student participating is required for each field trip.  (Forms are available in each school office). The school must have on file a signed Emergency Medical Information Form.  Please complete this form yearly and keep information up-to-date.  All chaperones must complete a Criminal History Check form at least two (2) weeks prior to the field trip.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

1. Bus rider rules apply to all school-sponsored events.
2. Discipline will be the responsibility of the building principal, the sponsor and the driver.
3. The bus must return clean when returning from the trip.

1. The driver shall attempt to correct the misbehavior of the passenger(s).
2. If the passenger refuses to comply with a reasonable request, the driver will report the incident to the Transportation Supervisor upon returning to the Transportation Department. The notification shall be made in writing on the School Bus Safety Report.
3. The Transportation Supervisor shall investigate the incident and notify the driver of the action taken.
4. A copy of the conduct report will be sent to the parent email, using the email address as listed in Skyward.  If no email is available, the report will be sent home with the student, and a call will be made to the parent. 
5. A conference involving the Transportation Supervisor, the student(s), the driver and parent(s) may be necessary.
6. The Transportation Supervisor may suspend the student's bus-riding privileges. If such a suspension occurs, the parent(s) or guardian and principal will be notified prior to the effective time of the suspension so that other transportation arrangements can be made by the parent.
7. In the case of serious misconduct that endangers the safety of other passengers or the driver, the student(s) will be removed from the bus by any school official or law enforcement assistance; the principal and parent(s) shall be notified of the situation as soon as possible.
8. Students in grades 5-12 who are involved in a fight and/or cited for a category IV offense(s) will be turned over to a campus administrator for discipline action as outlined in the Student Handbook for the respective campus.

Notice to Parents and Appeal Process may be found in the Campus Discipline Management Plan.
Immediate appropriate legal action and/or suspension from the bus will be enforced against any person participating in the following infringements: 

1. Possession of firearms, a knife, or other dangerous devices will not be permitted and may result in immediate loss of bus privileges for the remainder of the school year.
2. Using abusive, profane language on or near a bus in which students are being transported or directing such language toward the students or the driver.
3. Hindering in any manner the operation of a school bus or obstructing, unnecessarily, any roadway on which a school bus travels.
4. Making threats against or engaging in physical contact with a school bus driver.
5. When students receive:
1 report  =  documentation purpose
2 reports = probation
3 reports may = 3 day suspension from transportation
4 reports may = 5 day suspension
5 reports may = 1 month suspension
6 reports may = suspension from transportation for the remainder of the year.
* At the discretion of the Transportation Department, bus riding privileges may be suspended and/or the length of the suspension may be changed from the above discipline procedure due to the nature of the infraction.

Individual school buses may be equipped with video cameras that will record the conduct of students and any verbal communication between students and driver. This recording may be used for disciplinary purposes.

Pursuant to Texas Education Code §26.009(b), schools can videotape students without parent permission for purposes of maintaining discipline.  However, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), the parent my only view the video if their child is the only student in the video.  If the video reveals other students then that video cannot be viewed by any parent.  The Texas Attorney General has addressed this issue and determined that videotapes made on school buses, on which the driver addresses some students by name and which “show the faces, bodies, and behavior of students of the district” are education records under FERPA and are exempted from disclosure.  Texas Attorney General or 95-821 (1975)