Bus Safety

Vision Transportation and ISD 728 are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful environment while transporting all students to and from school. All students are expected to show respect toward the bus driver, fellow students, and property. Every student, public, non-public and charter, regardless of age, is responsible for following the rules/expectations listed in Policy 709 and outlined below. Each bus will have a posted copy of bus rules/expectations. Due to time and safety concerns, parents/guardians are not allowed on the bus.

Seating charts are utilized for student safety and security. Students are assigned a seat at the start of each school year and adjustments may be made as necessary by the driver or school personnel.
 

Getting to the bus stop safely 

When going to the bus stop, students are expected to: 

• Use the sidewalk where one is provided. 
• Walk on the left shoulder of the street or roadway facing traffic, single file or no more than two abreast when there are no sidewalks. 
• Be dressed accordingly. In winter, students should be dressed in warm winter clothing, hats, mittens and boots.  

Please remember, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian or daycare provider to escort students to and from the bus stop. We urge parents and daycare providers to supervise students at the bus stops. Unsupervised students are the cause of many bus stop problems and complaints.
 

Rules/Expectations at the Bus Stop and On the School Bus

• Arrive five minutes before their scheduled pick-up time. The school bus driver will not wait for late students. 
• Respect the property of others while waiting at your bus stop (parents are responsible for their child’s behavior at the bus stop). 
• Stay away from the street, road, or highway when waiting for the bus. Wait until the bus stop comes to a complete stop before approaching the bus.
• Never accept rides from strangers, even though the student may have missed the bus. 
• Refrain from standing or playing on snow piles at the bus stop during winter. Students playing on snow piles could slide into the street into the path of oncoming traffic.
   
• Students shall only ride on their school district assigned school bus route and to their assigned stop location.
• No disruptive behavior, horseplay, bullying, teasing, harassment, intimidation, fighting, physical action against another person, or action that would distract the driver.
• No use of alcohol, tobacco, electronic delivery devices, vape, or controlled substances.
• Keep prohibited items off the bus (i.e. weapons as described in Policy 501, explosives/flammables, live animals or insects, glass items, large recreational/sport items, and musical instruments that are too large to be held on the lap or put in a student’s own seat area).
• Immediately follow the directions of the driver, assistant, any supervising adult, or crossing guard.
   
• Sit in your assigned seat facing forward. Remain seated at all times while the bus is moving. (Minnesota State Law) No person shall stand when the bus is in motion.
• Use appropriate language and talk quietly using your “inside voice.” No profanity or obscene gestures.
• Respect other students and their personal belongings. Keep your arms, legs, and belongings to yourself. Do not throw, shoot or toss any object.  
• No eating or drinking on the bus. Keep the bus litter free and do not block exits.
• Keep all parts of your body and belongings inside the bus.
   
• Students may use phones/electronic devices with the use of headphones/earbuds or at a volume low enough (level 2 or lower) to be able to hear any announcements or emergency signals during travel. Be aware that taking, posting, sending, and receiving explicit photos or videos will result in disciplinary action. 
• Respect the bus and equipment. Students will be responsible for the cost of damages. Bus riding privileges will be suspended until a plan of restitution is made.
• Follow student school bus safety training guidelines and evacuation procedures. 
• After getting off the bus, move away from the bus. Avoid the Danger Zone (the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of not being seen by the driver - ten (10) feet in front of the bus where the driver may be too high to see a child, ten (10) feet on either side of the bus where a child may be in the driver’s blind spot, and the area behind the school bus). 
• If you must cross the street, always cross in front of the bus where the driver can see you. Wait for the driver to signal to you before crossing the street.

Boarding the bus safely

When boarding the bus, students are expected to: 

• Remain on the side of the street they reside on. If students must cross the street, they should walk 10 steps in front of the bus. 
• Stop, look at the bus driver, and wait until the driver gives a hand signal to cross; then look left, right and left again before crossing the street. 
• Walk quickly across the street without stopping, turning back, or running. 
• Enter in an orderly manner using the handrails; no pushing, shoving, or crowding. 
• Use the handrail to prevent slipping on icy steps or road surfaces during the winter

Leaving the bus safely

When leaving the bus, students are expected to: 

• Remain seated until the bus has completely stopped and then exit without pushing or crowding. 
• Use the handrail when leaving the bus. 
• Move away from the bus after stepping onto the curb.
• If students must cross the street, they should walk 10 feet ahead of the bus. Stop, look at the bus driver and wait until the driver gives a hand signal to cross; then look left, right and left again before proceeding. Walk quickly across the street, without stopping, turning back or running.
• Use the handrail to prevent slipping on icy steps or road surfaces, especially during the winter months.
   

Avoid the danger zone

Please remind your children they must never try to retrieve books or papers from around or underneath the bus. We suggest children keep all papers and articles in a backpack. 
 

Student Behavior 

Minnesota Statute 121A.59, Bus Transportation is a Privilege Not a Right 

Transportation by school bus is a privilege, not a right, for an eligible student. A student’s eligibility to ride a school bus may be revoked for a violation of school bus safety or conduct policies, or for violation of any other law governing student conduct on a school bus, pursuant to a written school district discipline policy. Revocation of a student’s bus riding privilege is not an exclusion, expulsion, or suspension under the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act. Revocation procedures for a student who is an individual with a disability under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, United States Code, title 20, section 1400 et seq., section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, United States Code, title 29, section 794, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Public Law 101-336, are governed by these provisions. 

All students, public, non-public and charter, are expected to behave in accordance with federal, state and local laws and rules, and with District and school policies and regulations, and in a way that respects the rights and safety of others. Corrective action to discipline a student and/or to modify a student’s behavior will be taken by staff when a student’s behavior does not fall within these parameters. 

School district policies on bus safety and discipline is available on the district website. The policy, rules and guidelines are reviewed each year and are handed out by the bus drivers. Please review these safety and discipline rules with your students. A number of our buses are equipped with a video camera which records video and audio to monitor student behavior and to be valuable for resolving student behavior issues.
 

Be a good neighbor 

Students are expected to respect neighbors’ property as they go to or from the bus stop or wait for the bus. Good neighbors do not: 

• Litter. 
• Walk on lawns. 
• Pick flowers or other plants from lawns or gardens. 
• Throw stones, snowballs or other objects. 
• Leave objects lying across curbs or sidewalks where they might trip other students or adults. 
• Climb trees, fences, or retaining walls.