Instructions for School Bus Riders

  1. Arrive at your designated bus stop (5) ​five minutes prior to your scheduled pickup time. Students may only ride their assigned school bus.
  2. Be careful in approaching the place where the bus stops. Do not move toward the bus until the bus has been brought to a complete stop.
  3. Remain in your assigned seat while the bus is in motion.
  4. Always be alert and listen for any instructions given by the driver.
  5. Windows are to remain at or above the white safety line at all times. Do not throw anything out of the windows. When you are on the bus, keep hands and feet inside the bus at all times.
  6. Refrain from abrupt, loud noises and/or an unnecessary confusion that could divert the driver’s attention from safely driving the bus.
  7. Be absolutely quiet when approaching and crossing a railroad tracks.
  8. Refrain from littering, defacing or destroying bus property. Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment.
  9. Assist in keeping the bus safe and sanitary at all times. Eating, drinking or gum chewing is not allowed on the bus.
  10. Animals are not allowed on the bus.
  11. Take all belongings with you.
  12. Respect the driver, fellow pupils and yourself. Help look after the safety and comfort of smaller children.
  13. Do not ask the driver to stop at places other than the regular assigned bus stop. The driver is not permitted to alter the route without proper authorization from an administrator.
  14. Observe safety precautions at discharge points. Know and observe the rules. When it is necessary to cross the roadway, proceed to a point at least 10 feet in front of the bus on the right shoulder of the roadway where traffic may be observed in both directions. Wait for a signal from the bus driver permitting you to cross.
  15. Students must sit three (3) in a seat on the school bus when necessary due to the load.
  16. The same rules and regulations apply on other school sponsored trips as between home and school. Respect the wishes of the chaperone appointed by the school.

Restricted Items

  1. Because of the potential for disrupting the school bus driver, certain items are not to be brought on the bus. Some examples of such items could be, but are not limited to: ­skateboards, toys, ­in-­line skates, playing cards, ­snowboards, ­laser lights, ­sleds and­ cameras. In some cases the student may seek approval from the Transportation Director or building administration for special situations (i.e., field trips, athletic trips, etc.).
  2. Cell phones and other electronic devices may be used responsibly on the school bus. Any misuse of these items will result in disciplinary action as outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook. Bus drivers are not responsible for devices lost, damaged or stolen. Examples of misuse include, but are not limited to: ­using device as a camera, ­displaying inappropriate images/website, ­use of inappropriate language and ­use of device for harassment or intimidation.
  3. Chromebooks – same rules apply on the bus as in school.  Please refer to the Chromebook usage policy https://central301.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Chromebook-Handbook-2016.pdf.
  4. Music devices are allowed on the school bus and may be used with headphones and must be kept at a volume that cannot be heard by others.  The listener must also be able to still hear emergency directions. Music devices must be in the student’s backpack before exiting the bus.
  5. Eating, drinking and gum chewing are NOT ALLOWED on the school bus. This policy is enforced to avoid choking hazards and any anaphylactic reactions.

School Bullying Intervention Plan

Central School District 301 has a School Bullying Intervention Plan in place which complies with the State mandated law. The school bus is an extension of the classroom; therefore the students are expected to behave on the bus just as they are expected to behave in school. Details of the School Bully Intervention Plan are located in the Parent/Student Handbook. It is important that victims of bullying report incidents of repeated bullying behaviors, even if they are minor. Victims and/or victims’ parents are encouraged to keep track of dates, times and types of incidents to help facilitate investigations. Our school bus drivers will report any instances they witness and students are asked to also relay any form of bullying to the driver, as well.

Transportation – Walking Requirements

The District has established walking requirements based on state regulations and guidelines.

If a student lives within 1.5 miles from school, he/she can reasonably be expected to walk to and from school, and the district is not responsible to provide transportation. In defining the district’s responsibility to provide transportation, state regulations and guidelines presume that a student should be expected to walk up to 1.5 miles on a ‘normally traveled’ walking path. Walking a footpath will, in most cases, be safer than walking alongside or even in vehicular traffic which previously had been the only option to busing for virtually all of our students.

The State Board of Education believes that a ‘normally traveled’ walking path should be used in measuring the distance from a student’s home to school for the purpose of determining whether the student lives 1.5 miles or more from school. Article 29 of the Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/29-3) states that the distance SHALL BE measured from the exit of the residence property to the point where the students are normally unloaded at the school attended, determined by the shortest distance on normally traveled roads or streets.