ST. PETER PRINCE OF THE APOSTLES

CATHOLIC SCHOOL BUS RULES FOR SPORTS

Loading/Unloading:

Maximum capacity is 48 passengers plus the bus driver.  There must only be 2 passengers per seat.

1.         A list of all students and parents riding the bus will be main-tained by the bus driver.

2.         Students are to arrive at the bus pickup stop at least five minutes before departure time to prevent running up to the bus stop when the bus is approaching.

3.         A danger zone exists around the perimeter of the bus.  All stu-dents must stay and maintain more than a 10 foot distance away from all sides of the bus.  You cannot be seen if you are 10 feet or less from the bus.  If you cannot see the bus driver’s side mirrors you are too close and will not be seen.

4.         If a student has any reason to come within 10 feet of any side of the bus after unloading, they should alert and receive per-mission from the driver before proceeding.

5.         Students must stand at least six feet away from the curb as the bus approaches.

6.         Students must load the bus from curbside and not the asphalt parking lot.

7.         Do not ever walk behind the bus.

8.         The bus driver will signal stu-dents and chaperones when to load onto the bus.  The bus must be at a complete stop and the door opened before students can be permitted entry to the bus.

9.         Use hand rails to avoid falls when entering and exiting the bus.

10.       If you drop something that rolls under the bus or its tires, notify the bus driver immediately.  Never try to pick it up.

11.       Never rush, push or shove to enter or exit the bus.

12.       There may be parent chaperones in the ratio of one parent per fifteen students allowed on the bus.  This activity qualifies for family service hours.

13.       Upon boarding the bus, students shall go quickly to their seat.  The bus driver is authorized to assign students to seats.  Parent chaperones will be evenly dis-persed through out the bus.

14.       Students will sit facing the front with their back against the seat backs.  Students must remain seated until their destination has been reached and the bus has come to a complete stop.  The bus driver will indicate when it is safe to stand and depart the bus.

15.       Students will exit the bus front to back in an orderly manner.

16.       When discharged from the bus, students will go directly to their destination.

17.       Do not wear clothing with loose drawstrings.  Make sure back-pack straps are short so they do not get caught in the handrail or bus door.

18.       Be careful when getting off the bus so nothing gets left behind and nothing snags on the door.  You cannot leave items on the bus to be stored until after the sporting event.  All items must be taken off the bus upon arrival at the final destination.

19.       Students will not be provided a return trip to the school on the bus.  You must have pre-arranged your own travel home from the final destination.

20.       The chaperones, coaches and bus driver are permitted to return to the school on the bus with their own children as the only passengers.

Conduct:

You shall receive only one warning notice per school year from the bus driver about inappropriate bus behav-ior/conduct.

Upon your second notice of inappro-priate behavior/conduct, your bus privileges are automatically suspended.  You must then appear with your parents before a disciplinary committee made up of the Athletic Committee Members for determination of the permanence of the ban on bus privileges.

Vandalism is strictly prohibited.  Those responsible will lose bus privileges.  Any costs to repair damage to the bus must be paid by those responsible before bus privileges can be resumed in addition to the disciplinary committee meeting requirement.

The following rules of conduct are to be observed at all times by students who ride the school bus:

1.         Classroom behavior and class-room noise level is the accept-able behavior on a bus.

2.         The driver is in full charge of the bus, chaperones/parents and students.

3.         The driver has the right to assign seats to meet the needs of the majority of passengers.

4.         Students are responsible for the area in which they sit.

5.         Sit quietly in the seat on the bus.

6.         Students must use only the front door to enter and exit the bus except in an emergency.  Tampering with emergency doors, windows or equipment is prohibited.

7.         Students must sit in the seats facing forward.  Students must not block the aisles or stairwell; these areas are to remain clear in case of emergency.

8.         To prevent possible injury, stu-dents are not allowed to move around while the bus is in mo-tion.  You must stay seated and not switch seats.

9.         Harassment, aggressive behav-ior, bullying, or discriminatory or abusive language or conduct towards the driver or other per-sons, on or off the bus, is unsafe and prohibited.

10.       Possession of weapons such as knives, guns, chains or any other dangerous item(s) includ-ing laser pointers that can inflict injury are strictly prohibited and illegal.

11.       Throwing, spitting, kicking, or shooting items inside the bus or out the windows is hazardous and prohibited.  For example, paper airplanes, paperclips, etc.  Litter and other objects should not be thrown inside the bus or out the bus windows.

12.       Smoking or chewing tobacco and possession of alcohol or il-legal drugs while on the bus is illegal.

13.       Use of flame or spark producing devices, including but not limited to matches, lighters, etc., is prohibited.

14.       To prevent injury to students and others, no body part or other object may be extended out a bus window.  Hands and head must be kept inside the bus.  (Students should not use an open window to invite outside students over to the side of the bus.)

15.       Students are expected to be absolutely quiet at all railroad crossings to allow the driver full concentration to stop, look and listen and implement correct procedures and perceive hazards.

16.       Students should be alert to a danger signal from the driver.

17.       In the event of an emergency, students should remain in the bus

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Please review these Bus Rules For Sports.  Make a copy of the Rules for your records.  Sign your agreement and acknowledgment to these Rules in the space below and return this document to Anthony Swann, Athletic Director.

___________________________     

Student’s Name

____________________________

Student’s Signature                  Date

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Parent’s Name

____________________________

Parent’s Signature                   Date

bus and wait for instructions from the driver.

18.       Excessive talking, laughter, or unnecessary confusion will not be permitted since it may divert the driver’s attention and result in an accident.

19.       Students should not touch or tamper with bus equipment.

20.       Students should help keep the bus clean and safe at all times.  The consumption of food or beverages is not permitted on the bus.

21.       No live animals including insects or reptiles are permitted on the bus.

22.       Books, coats, backpacks, sports equipment and instruments should be kept out of the aisles.

23.       No article may be left on the bus.

24.       Courtesy and consideration must be shown to the bus driver, parents and other students on the bus.

25.       Older students should help provide for the comfort and safety of younger children on the bus.

26.       Any electronic device (i.e., radios, tape players) that is not permitted at school will not be permitted on the school bus.  Students may use cellular tele-phones, pagers, text messaging devices, and other digital devices (i.e., PDA’s) while on the school bus.  If, however, the use of cellular telephones or similar devices disrupts the safe operation of the school bus, the bus driver may direct that such device can no longer be used on the school bus.