Important Safety Rules for Students Riding School Buses

Bright yellow school buses are a familiar sight to all students. Eventually, most students will ride a school bus, either to school, to attend special programs or events, or as part of a sporting activity. Before your child rides a bus this school year, please discuss the following safety rules with him or her:

• Leave some extra time in the morning to get to your bus stop on time.  Be at the stop about five (5) minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

• Wear bright clothing or consider putting reflectors on jackets and backpacks so you can be seen easily in the early morning or late afternoon when the sky is gray.

• Wear raincoats in colors other than yellow so you won't blend in with the yellow school bus.

• Dress properly.  Warm clothes, hats, mittens and boots will keep you from getting sick in cold weather.

• Remember to take your book bags and keep all papers inside.

• Ask an adult to drive you to school when you have a science project or have to carry an object that will prevent you from seeing where you are going or from concentrating on safety.

• Look carefully before crossing the street.  Make sure there are no cars coming from either direction.

• Stand away from where the bus stops.  Remember, buses need extra room to stop when there is snow or ice on the roads.

• Keep all radios or boom boxes at home.

• Keep all pets in the house before school to prevent them from following you or getting hit by a bus or car.  Remember pets (or any live animal) are not allowed on the buses.

• Don't push, shove or play around the bus stop.  Someone could slide or fall in the path of the bus.

• Don't stoop to pick up papers or other objects when a bus is approaching a stop.  Make sure you can be seen by the driver.

• Don't linger or play at the bus stop.

• Don't throw objects at other students or at the bus.