The Student Transportation Department of Seguin ISD has approved the following rules and regulations for riders on the school buses. It is hoped that these guidelines will help to provide safe transportation to and from school for all students. Students should be at the bus stop at least five minutes prior to the scheduled time. It is a privilege to ride school buses in the Seguin Independent School District.

Assigned Buses Only:
Students are assigned to buses and bus stops. No change in either bus or stop is permitted without the Transportation department authorization. Failure to ride the assigned bus from the assigned stop may jeopardize the safety of students and may result in disciplinary action.

Direct any questions on eligibility, routes, or schedules to the Transportation Office at 830-401-8617. Concerns about bus drivers should be referred to the Transportation General Manager at the same number.
 
Questions on student incident reports and/or the discipline of students should be referred to the Transportation Coordinator at 830-401-8617.


The following rules and regulations are provided for your convenience:

I. General Rules

• Only bus eligible students will be transported. (Eligible students are defined by the Texas Education Agency as those who reside two (2) miles or more from their campus of attendance or those who reside in an area within two miles of their campus of attendance which, as defined and identified by the School District and Safety Department, would subject them to hazardous traffic conditions if they walked to or from school.
  
  
• Students will be allowed only one address for pick-up and drop-off, A.M. and P.M.
  
  
• Students are required to obey the instructions of the driver at all times.
  
  
• Students are allowed to board and leave the bus only at their designated stops, unless written instruction to do otherwise is given.
  
  
• Students must ride their assigned buses. Any deviation to this rule requires written permission from a parent or guardian.
  
  
• If a student misses the bus, it is the responsibly of the parents to transport the student.
  
  
• When a student does not ride for three (3) consecutive days, parents must notify the transportation office. This will ensure continued, uninterrupted service.
  
  
• For Pre-Kinder and Kindergarten students a parent or guardian must be present at the drop off point, your child will not be left unattended .
  
  
• Once off the bus, please teach your children not to go back to the bus to retrieve any left items, contact the dispatch office.

Loading and Unloading the School Bus

• Students are required to be at their designated pick-up points five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time. (Supervision for conduct at the pick-up points is the responsibility of the parents)
  
  
• When the bus approaches, form a line, six feet from the bus, and be prepared to load immediately.
  
  
• An adult must be present at the drop-off stops for pre-kinder and kindergarten students.
  
  
• Stand clear of the bus until it has come to a complete stop and the red loading lights are flashing.
  
  
• Walk calmly, quietly and quickly to your assigned seat.
  
  
• Students must remain seated at all times until the bus comes to students stop and makes complete stop with the brake set.
  
  
• When unloading, wait for your turn to leave the bus. Exit in single file. Pushing and crowding will only slow down the exiting and could cause an accident.
  
  
• Students living on the left side of the roadway shall exit the bus, walk 10 feet in front of the bus on side of road and wait for the driver to signal that is safe to cross.
  
  
• Look in both directions and then walk directly across the road.
  
  
• Never cross behind the bus.
  
  
• CAUTION! Always be alert for the vehicles that do not stop when a bus is loading or unloading.
  
  
• On your way home, cross all streets at intersections and obey all traffic signals and signs.

SCHOOL BUS RULES (while riding)

• Students must be respectful to the driver and fellow students and must always follow directions of the driver.
  
  
• Talking is permitted, however no yelling or screaming is allowed.
  
  
• Standing is not allowed, students must sit in their seats, face front, feet on the floor at all times.
  
  
• Eating or drinking is not permitted, water is allowed.
  
  
• Students are not allowed to sit in the driver’s seat, operate the door, emergency exits and/or any other driver controls except in case of an evacuation or directed to do so by the driver.
  
  
• Damaging, marking on, tagging, or vandalizing any part of the bus is forbidden. Violators will be required to pay damages.
  
  
• Fighting is prohibited.
  
  
• Bullying will not be tolerated.
  
  
• The use of obscene, vulgar, or profane language and/or gestures is forbidden. This also includes gang signs.
  
  
• Do not extend head, hands, arms or legs out of the window, nor hold anything out of the window.
  
  
• Throwing things inside the bus as well as out the windows is prohibited

II. BUS DISCIPLINE POLICY

The bus driver is responsible for the safety and discipline of all students on the bus Students who have the opportunity to ride district school buses may do so as long as they display behavior that is reasonable and safe. Choosing to follow unacceptable behavior will result in loss of bus service. The Transportation Department is available to give assistance to the driver and will determine consequences of misbehavior and the reinstatement of bus service for the offending students should a suspension become necessary. A suspension applies to all buses unless otherwise designated by Transportation officials. The responsibility for student supervision by the District shall begin when the student boards the bus in the morning and is retained until the child leaves the bus at the end of the day; or until released to the parent /guardian in a manner consistent with guidelines on release of students.


III. TRANSPORTING OF SCHOOL RELATED/NON-RELATED ITEMS

Under the Laws and Rules for the Operation of School Buses in the State of Texas, it is stated: “…no materials, including: guns, loaded or unloaded; knives or razor blades; fuel containers of any type, empty or full; animals or any other dangerous or objectionable nature are transported in the school bus when students are being transported."

Band instruments that will be allowed on the bus are those that are small enough to be held in the student’s lap. Instruments may not be in the aisle or take the space of a student. Baseball and softball bats, or any other unacceptable recreational equipment will not be allowed on regular route buses. Damage to personal items is not covered by the district’s insurance coverage.

For reasons of safety and health, the following items are not permitted on a school bus. These include but are not limited to items listed as prohibited by the Student Code of Conduct as well as:

1. Glass objects; bottles, jars, etc.
2. Aerosol cans
3. Spray or liquid chemicals
4. Open containers of food, drink
5. Inflated balloons
6. Live animals, bugs, worms
7. Plants, dirt and other growing projects
8. Any item which cannot be transported easily or which creates a safety concern
9. Distractive electronic devices, headphones, hand held computer games, canned shooting string or trading cards
10. Laser lights.

Parents need to arrange alternate transportation if any of the items above need to go to or from school.


In Case of Accidents or Emergencies

1. Remain calm.
2. Follow driver’s instructions at all times.
3. If it becomes necessary to exit the bus,

• The student nearest the door will open the door and hold it open;
• Evacuation will start at the seat closest to the door;
• Exit the bus in a single file and as quietly as possible;
• Once outside the bus stay in a group and follow the driver’s instructions

BUS REFERRALS

Any student who fails to comply with the code or established rules of conduct while on school transportation shall be subject to disciplinary action, and transportation may be restricted or denied. However, the ARD or Section 504 committee may take transportation privileges away from a student with disabilities only if transportation is not determined necessary as a related service or modification. A change in transportation service for a student with disabilities for whom transportation is a related service requires ARD committee action; a change in transportation services for Section 504 students requires a Section 504 committee action.

During a regular route, upon receipt of a bus conduct report from the driver, the Transportation Discipline office will review/investigate the offense and administer the disciplinary action deemed necessary. Consequences will be administered under the following guidelines. A School Bus incident report will then be sent home with the student. In case of a bus suspension, notification is also sent electronically and home with the student.

It will be the Students responsibility to make sure parents receive any and all notices or referrals. Violations of the rules will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.


IV. BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES AND CONSEQUENCES – (GRADES K-5)

A. CLASS I OFFENSE

1. Spitting
2. Excessive noise
3. Excessive horseplay
4. Eating or drinking on bus (water is permitted)
5. Leaving seat/standing while bus is in motion
6. Squirt guns/liquid containers in any form, except those intended for lunch box use.
7. Profanity, verbal abuse, harassment, obscene gestures or possession of unacceptable material.
8. Riding unassigned bus without permission.
9. Other offenses as reported by the driver.

B. CLASS II OFFENSES

1. Hanging out of window
2. Throwing/shooting any object
3. Physical aggression against any person
4. Use of tobacco or any controlled substance
5. Vandalism to bus (restitution will be made)
6. Holding onto or attempting to hold onto any portion of the exterior of the bus
7. Lighting of matches, lighters, fireworks or any flammable object or substance.
8. Unauthorized entering or leaving bus through emergency door/tampering with bus equipment.
9. Laser lights of any type will not be allowed.
10. Other offenses as reported by driver

C. CONSEQUENCES

1. Class I

a. First Offense- Parent Contact. Warning or 1-5 day bus suspension
b. Second Offense – 1-5 days bus suspension
c. Third Offense – 5-10 days bus suspension
d. Fourth Offense

• 10- day minimum bus suspension
• Possible loss of all bus service
• Parent/Guardian/Transportation Department meeting optional
• NOTE: May also include suspension from school.

2. Class II

a. First Offense - Parent contact. 5- day bus suspension
b. Second Offense – 5-10 days bus suspension

• Possible loss of all bus service
• Parent/Guardian/Transportation Department meeting optional

c. Third Offense- 10-days minimum suspension
d. Fourth Offense – loss of bus service

NOTE: The bus is an extension of the school day. The bus driver has the authority to assign seats. The sexual/racial/religious/bullying/harassment policy and the weapons policy of the district will be strictly enforced on the school bus as well as at school. May also include suspension from school.


IV. BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES AND CONSEQUENCES (GRADES 6-12)

A. CLASS I OFFENSES

1. Spitting
2. Horseplay
3. Excessive Noise
4. False Identification
5. Eating or drinking on the bus (water is permitted)
6. Riding unassigned bus without permission or using unassigned bus stop
7. Leaving seat/standing while bus is in motion
8. Squirt guns/liquid type containers in any form, except those intended for lunch box use.
9. Riding or attempting to ride any bus after receiving a suspension
10. Profanity, verbal abuse, harassment, obscene gestures, or possession of unacceptable material.
11. Laser lights or any type will not be allowed
12. Other offenses as reported by the driver

B. CLASS II OFFENSES

1. Hanging out of a window
2. Throwing/shooting of any object
3. Physical aggression against any person (subject to citation)
4. Use of tobacco or any controlled substance (subject to citation)
5. Vandalism to bus (restitution will be made)
6. Lighting of matches, lighters, firecrackers, or any flammable object or substance
7. Holding onto/or attempting to hold onto any portion of the exterior of the bus
8. Unauthorized entering or leaving bus through emergency door/tampering with bus equipment
9. Public displays of affection are not permissible
10. Other offenses as reported by the driver.
11. Any offense committed on any bus outside of regular transportation to and from school (activity, field trips, etc.) will carry minimum penalty of Class II, First Offense

C. CONSEQUENCES

1. Class I

a. First Offense – Parent Contact. Warning or 1-5 days bus suspension
b. Second Offense – 5-10 days bus suspension
c. Third Offense

• 10 – day minimum bus suspension
• Possible loss of bus service
• Parent/guardian/Transportation Department Meeting optional

d. Fourth Offense – Loss of bus service

Note: May also include suspension from school


2. Class II

a. First offense – Parent Contact. 5-days bus suspension
b. Second offense – 10-days bus suspension
c. Third offense

• 10 – day minimum bus suspension
• Possible loss of bus service
• Parent/guardian/Transportation Department Meeting optional

d. Fourth Offense – Loss of bus service

Note: the bus is an extension of the school day. The bus driver has the authority to assign seats. The sexual/racial/religious/bullying harassment policy and weapons policy of the district will be strictly enforce on the school bus as well as at school. May also include suspension from school.

Weather Emergencies
In the event of a weather emergency, schools may be dismissed early, without prior notice (KWED-1580 on am dial) will announce any early dismissals and/or late starts. Parents need to discuss these possibilities with their child(ren) and make prior arrangements.