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Hilton Central School District

Integrity, Welcoming and Affirming, People First, Lifelong Learning

School Bus Guidelines and Safety

Care and Custody of Elementary Students:

It is the practice in the Hilton Central School District for the bus staff to make sure that all students in grades K-4 get safely into their home. This may not be possible at some of the centralized pick- up and drop-off points in apartment complexes, so parents are required to meet their children in those cases. Whenever the bus staff senses that it may not be in the best interest of a child to be left at the stop, the child will be kept on board the bus and the dispatch office notified. Parents, a designated adult, or an approved sibling must be visible at the bus stop or at home to receive elementary students. If no one is home to receive the student, the drop off will not be made and the parent will be contacted to arrange pick up. It is the responsibility of the parent to pick up the student(s) from the school or the transportation office.

 

Student Conduct on the School Bus:

 

Students should observe the same conduct on the school bus as they do in the classroom.

1. Follow the drivers’ instructions at ALL times.

2. Remain in your seat at all times.

3. A student shall not refuse to sit in an assigned seat or deny another student a place to sit.

4. Normal conversation is permitted; loud noises that may distract the driver and create unsafe conditions are not acceptable.

5. Horseplay, fighting, wrestling, and the use of profane or vulgar language and gestures are not allowed.

6. Do not throw objects inside or out of the bus.

7. Do not litter, mark, cut or scratch any part of the bus. Students responsible for damages may lose bus service until the school district has been compensated for those damages.

8. Students should only use the emergency and exit door controls during supervised drills or actual emergencies.

9. Students shall never attempt to operate the passenger door or other controls except in case of emergency.

10. 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.

12. Bus rules apply on all extra-curricular trips.

Seat assignments are a positive way for the ride to be consistent and safe. This aids the driver with discipline and learning each student’s names at the beginning of the school year. Seat assignments are at the discretion of the bus driver and may change at any time.

Prohibited on the School Bus:

1. Tobacco or tobacco products (vapes, matches, or lighters)

2. Any animals or insects, dead or alive.

3. Glass containers, golf clubs, skateboards, ropes, chains, weapons, explosive devices, perfumes, cologne or aerosol/spray containers.

4. Alcoholic beverages, drugs, or chemicals.

5. Helium filled and/or any other type of balloons are not permitted on the bus.

6. Hockey sticks, skis, skateboards, sleds, bikes, balls, water guns, scooters, etc. are not permitted due to safety policies.

7. Food is prohibited due to choking and/or allergic reactions.

8. All items, including band instruments, must be kept on the student’s lap or within their seating compartment and may not deny another student a seat, block the aisle, or an emergency exit.

 

Student Safety Tips:

  • All students should be at their assigned bus stops and ready to board at least 5 minutes ahead of their scheduled pick-up time.
  • Parents/ guardians are responsible for students at the bus stop.
  • Students waiting for the bus should not stand by the roadway. They should wait 15 feet from the edge of the road for safety. Be in plain sight of the bus and other traffic. Be watchful and do not play around.
  • Do not approach the bus until the door is open or signaled by the driver.
  • If you miss the bus, return home immediately. Do not run after the bus!
  • No audio devices should be worn while crossing or while getting on or off the bus for emergency purposes.
  • If something drops or rolls near or under a bus, do not go after it! Go to the bus loading door and alert the driver and ask for help.
  • If your child needs to cross the street after exiting the bus, he or she should take ten giant steps in front of the bus, make eye contact with the bus driver and cross when the driver indicates its safe and gives the universal crossing signal. Teach kids to look left and right and left again before crossing the street.
  • Instruct students to use handrails when boarding or exiting the bus. Be careful of straps or drawstrings, scarves or other loose clothing that could get caught on the handrails or in the door.
  • It is helpful in the mornings to have a light on outside the home, with an address clearly visible.