Rules and Responsibilities

Bus Rules

Follow these bus rules - same as all class rooms

  1.  Be polite to everyone on the bus.
  2.  The bus driver may assign seats
  3.  For everyone's safety, do not distract the driver. 
  4.  Do not swear or use inappropriate words.
  5.  Electronic devices including; iPod's, iPad's and cell phones are to be kept to yourself 
       and not shared with others.
  6.  No photographs or videos to be taken on the bus.
  7.  Remain seated at all times.  Do not change seats.
  8.  Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus.
  9.  Keep hands to yourself.
10.  No smoking or lighting matches/lighters.
11.  Do not deface or destroy anything on the bus.
12.  Keep aisle clear of feet, backpacks and bodies.
13.  Schools buses are a NO-BULLYING ZONE!
14.  Do not eat or drink on the bus; keep the bus clean
15.  All sports gear is to be enclosed in a sport bag. 

Misbehavior on Bus: Penalty at discretion of principal depending on circumstances (may include removal from bus for 1 to 10 days or permanent removal from bus by a formal hearing). Serious misbehavior on the bus may also be cause for punishment up to and including suspension or expulsion from school.
 

 

Riding a school bus is a privilege and convenience for students and their parents; as such, everyone accepts certain responsibilities to ensure student safety while utilizing this service. Students and parents are advised that the Zeeland Public Schools student code of conduct will be enforced relevant to student behavior on the school bus. The school will cooperate with parents and law enforcement agencies relevant to behavior to and from school.

Students and parents are advised of the following responsibilities as per the Michigan Regulations for School buses, Bulletin #431 and local policy:

District Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of Zeeland Public Schools to:

1. Develop bus routes and schedules.
2. Determine the mile computation as required by the Board of Education and State requirements.
3. Provide appropriate student information to bus drivers.
4. Provide vehicles that meet or exceed the requirements of state law pertaining to vehicles utilized to transport school students.
5. Provide appropriate insurance coverage.
6. Hire certified and qualified staff.
7. Provide ongoing training for the transportation staff.
8. Recommend to the Superintendent when schools should be closed due to inclement weather.
9. In conjunction with Building Principals, develop and administer disciplinary procedures for students who exhibit inappropriate bus riding behaviors.

Parents Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of each parent to:

1. Provide for your students’ safety to, from, and while at the bus stop.
2. Have the student at the bus stop at least five (5) minutes ahead of the scheduled stop time.
3. Always stress SAFETY at stop locations and on the bus.  STUDENTS ARE TO STAY OFF THE ROAD AT ALL TIMES WHILE WAITING FOR THE BUS.
4. Make sure each child has a backpack for lunch, school books, etc.
5. No pets or large items such as large boxes, sleds, skateboards, bats, etc. are allowed on the bus.  Items which are sharp or breakable should be carried in a box.  Laser pointers are prohibited and will be confiscated.  Loose hanging items attached to the backpacks such as key chains are prohibited due to safety concerns. 
6. Make arrangements to have an appropriate person at home at the designated drop-off time after school.
7. Sign the blue School Bus Misconduct Notice slip, if your child receives one for an infraction of the bus rules. The child must return the signed slip to the bus driver before allowed back on the bus.

Students Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of each student to:

1. Observe classroom conduct while riding the bus. The same rules apply to the bus as in the classroom.
2. Ride the assigned bus and use a specific bus stop; only assigned students may ride school-bound or homebound buses. In addition, students may ride only their assigned bus, getting on and getting off at their designated stop.  The Director of Transportation may grant permission for students to ride a different bus or use a different stop. Such permission may be granted only after receiving appropriate written request form from the parent/guardian for a specified period of time subject to the following conditions and limitations:
   1. The requested change must not result in overcrowding of any bus, alteration of any regular bus route, bus stop, or time schedule, or in any way interfere with the regular operation of the transportation system.
   2. Emergency and/or unusual reasons may be approved by the Director of Transportation.
   3. To assure no overloads, we do not allow students to bring home friends (either from another bus run or from a non-busing area) for parties, scouts, homework, etc.). It is the parents’ responsibility for this type of transportation.
3. Obey the driver at all times and report promptly to school officials when instructed to do so.
4. Stay in their seat facing forward while the bus is in motion.
5. Keep hands and feet to themselves.
6. Place all carry-on items on ones lap.
7. State law mandates that no animals or glass containers be allowed on buses. No pets or large items such as large boxes, sleds, skateboards, bats, etc. are allowed on the bus.  Items which are sharp or breakable should be carried in a box.  Laser pointers are prohibited and will be confiscated.  Loose hanging items attached to the backpacks such as key chains are prohibited due to safety concerns.
8. Refrain from eating or drinking on the bus.
9. Leave the bus only with the consent of the driver.
10. Enter or leave the bus only at the front door after the bus has come to a stop, except in case of emergency.
11. Stay off the roadway while waiting for the bus.
12. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and then board or leave the bus promptly.
13. Talk in a normal tone of voice while on the bus and use appropriate language.
14. Do not destroy property and report any damage observed to the driver.
15. Help keep the bus clean, sanitary, orderly and safe.