Transportation

Riding a bus to and from school in the Maryville City School system is a privilege not a right. All students must understand and observe good conduct, courtesy, cooperation, and respect for the authority of the bus driver. Copies of the rules are clearly posted on each bus as a daily reminder.      

• Follow the bus driver's directions the first time they are given.    
• The bus driver can assign seats for misbehavior. 
• Keep all parts of your body inside the bus and keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. 
• Students must be seated except when boarding or exiting the bus. 
• Drivers have the right to prohibit students from doing anything that might distract the driver - including noise or actions that might threaten the safety of the bus.
• Any student who willfully damages the bus will not be able to ride until making reparations with the bus owner.

  In order to maintain conditions and an atmosphere suitable for safety, no person shall enter onto a school bus except students assigned to that bus or other persons with lawful and valid business on the bus.

      The school bus is an extension of school activity; therefore, students shall conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for safety and classroom behavior.
      
      Students are under the supervision and control of the bus driver and assistant while on the bus, and all reasonable directions given by driver or assistant shall be followed.
        
      The principal of the student transported shall be informed by the bus driver or assistant of any discipline problems and may be called upon to assist if necessary. 

      A student may be denied the privilege of riding the bus if the principal determines that his/her behavior is such as to cause disruption on the bus, or if he/she disobeys state or local rules and regulations pertaining to student transportation.

      According to state law, TCA 46-6-21, no student will be allowed to ride home with another student without written permission from the parent, which must be approved by the school principal. If approved, the driver will be provided with a copy of the request form.

      All carry-ons, including backpacks, musical instruments and school projects, must be able to fit in the child’s lap. The parent/guardian must transport any items that don’t meet these criteria.

      Video cameras are used to monitor student behavior on school buses transporting students to and from school or extracurricular activities.

      Video surveillance shall be used to promote the order, safety, and security of students, staff, and property.

      Due to the privacy rights of other students, no parent/guardian is allowed to view bus tapes. If there is an issue, transportation personnel and school administrators will view the tape.

SCHOOL ZONE FOR LOADING & UNLOADING

The Danger Zone is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit. Children should stay at least ten feet away from the bus (or as far away as they can) and never go behind it. They should take five (5) giant steps in front of the bus before crossing, so they can be seen by the driver.

SCHOOL BUSES ARE THE SAFEST WAY TO GET TO SCHOOL

School buses are nearly 8 times safer than passenger vehicles. However, children must take care when boarding or leaving the bus. While an average of 7 school-age passengers are killed in school bus crashes each year, 19 are killed getting on and off the bus. 

Most of those killed are children, five to seven years old. They are hit in the danger zone around the bus (A), either by a passing vehicle or by the school bus itself. It is illegal for a vehicle to pass a bus with its red light flashing.

Young children are most likely to be hit because they:

The Danger Zone is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit. Children should stay at least ten feet away from the bus (or as far away as they can) and never go behind it. They should take five (5) giant steps in front of the bus before crossing, so they can be seen by the driver.

• hurry to get on or off the bus,
• act before they think and have little experience with traffic,
• assume motorists will see them and will wait for them to cross,
• don't always stay within the bus driver's sight, or
• drop something as they get off the bus and run into the path of the bus to pick it up.

TEACH YOUR CHILD TO GET ON AND OFF THE BUS SAFELY

• When getting on the bus, stay away from the danger zone and wait for the driver's signal. Board the bus one at a time.
• When getting off the bus, look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road). Move away from the bus.
• Before crossing the street, take five "giant steps" out from the front of the bus, or until the driver's face can be seen (A). Wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to cross.
• Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Keep watching traffic when crossing.

SAFETY STEPS YOU CAN TAKE

• Supervise children to make sure they get to the stop on time, wait far away from the road, and avoid rough play.
• Teach your child to ask the driver for help if he/she drops something near the bus. If a child bends down to pick up something, the driver cannot see him/her and the child may be hit by the bus. Have your child use a backpack or book bag to keep loose items together.
• Make sure clothing and backpacks have no loose drawstrings or long straps, to be caught in the handrail or bus door.
• Encourage safe school bus loading and unloading.
• If you think a bus stop is in a dangerous place, talk with your school office or transportation director about changing the location.

LEARN AND FOLLOW SCHOOL BUS LAWS:

Laws exist to protect children getting on and off the bus AND protect you from a tragedy. Check with your school or police department for more information on your state's laws. Here are some rules:

• Vehicles must stop when the bus displays flashing red warning lights and extends the stop signal arm (B).
• Vehicles may not pass until the flashing red lights and signals are turned off. Vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus are always required to stop. In some states, vehicles moving in the opposite direction on a divided roadway are also required to stop. Check the law in your state.
• Never pass on the right side of the bus, where children enter or exit. This is illegal and can have tragic results.

Violation of these laws can result in a citation and fine. In many places, school bus drivers can report passing vehicles.

PARENTS

• Use the information in this handout to train your child to safely ride the bus. Younger children may need you or another responsible person to monitor them until they are mature enough to handle the responsibility of waiting at the bus stop and loading and unloading safely. Children will need re-teaching and reminding.It may save their life.
• Behavior problems can distract the driver and thus cause unsafe, distracted driving. The driver may be the only adult on the bus, and it’s important they are able to concentrate on driving for the safety of all students.
• For the safety of all students and per Tennessee state law, drivers are trained to ensure that no unauthorized persons enter the school bus. If you have a non-emergency concern, call the transportation supervisor or school, rather than trying to discuss it with the driver at the bus stop.
•  If you have a comment or concern about any school bus in Tennessee, use the phone number on the rear bumper to alert the supervisor. If it’s an emergency situation, dial 9-1-1

 

THE BUS STOP

TIPS:

• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes prior to bus arrival.
• Wait at least 10 feet from the roadway if possible.
• There should be no horseplay, running, or pushing at the bus stop.
• Look for and remove any strings or other hanging items from jackets or backpacks, as they could be caught in the bus door.
• Never attempt to pick up anything dropped near the wheels, under the bus, or in front of the bus.  Tell the driver, and they will help you.  You don't want the driver to lose sight of you in the danger zone.  Have everything you carry in a backpack or bag, so you will not drop things along the way.

LOADING AND UNLOADING 

THE DANGER ZONE:

• The danger zone is the 10-foot area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit, either by another vehicle or their own bus. When explaining this to younger children, you may want to say “five big steps” instead of “10 feet” to help them understand the danger zone area. Make sure your driver can see you at all times. Remember: “I see the driver, the driver sees me.”
• Follow the procedure your driver has taught you. Wait for your driver’s signal, and look both directions to ensure all traffic has come to a complete stop before you enter the roadway. Students should not be looking at phones or listening to music but should be ready to place their full attention on loading safely. Walk 10 steps in front of the bus (away from the front bumper) before turning to cross the road: Never cross between or behind buses.
• If you are late, never run after the bus to try to catch it or get the driver to stop. This puts you in the danger zone with the bus moving
• If the driver honks the horn, it’s to alert you of danger. Stop and look for danger. Then, look to the driver for further directions.