Transportation

Updated 2023-2024

The privilege of pupils to ride school buses is conditioned on their good behavior and observance of the following rules and regulations, as approved by building administration and the FISD Board of Education.  Any pupil who violates any of these regulations shall be reported to the school principal or proper administrator.

1.       Appropriate pupil conduct on the school bus is required in order that the driver may devote the major part of their time and attention to maneuvering the school bus safely through traffic.

2.       Change of pick-up or drop-off is only authorized by the Director of Transportation.  Changes made to pick-up or drop-off are only allowed when official contact and address information is modified by the school.

3.       Pupils riding the school buses are under the direct supervision of the bus driver and bus monitor, and the driver shall direct the pupils in matters of conduct and safety.

4.       Pupils shall obey the driver and bus monitor promptly and without disrespect.

5.       Pupils shall occupy the space and/or seating as designated for them by the driver or monitor.  Due to safety, feet must stay on the floor in the seating area at all times.

6.       Pupils shall be on time and waiting for the bus. Buses cannot wait for those who are not on time.

7.       Pupils shall observe and comply with the following:

a.        Never stand in the road while waiting for the bus.

b.       Clean their feet/shoes before entering the bus of dirt and debris.

c.        Rolling backpacks shall not be permitted.

d.       Avoid spitting onto any surface inside of the bus.

e.       Not throw waste paper or other rubbish on the floor of the bus.

f.         Avoid unnecessary conversation with the driver.

g.        Abstain from the use of tobacco/vaping products and profane or indecent language.

h.       Keep arms and head inside the bus at all times.

i.         Do not leave the bus without the driver’s consent.

j.         Respect persons whom they pass on the routes, do not yell or make remarks to persons along the streets and roadways.

k.        Report to the driver at once any damage to the bus.

l.         Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.

8.     Pupils who cross the road before entering or leaving the bus should pass in front of the bus and not behind it.  The driver should see that the way is clear before the child is permitted to cross the road. 

9.     Pupils shall not be permitted under any circumstances to bring anything on the bus that might frighten someone or distract the driver’s attention.  These would include, but are not limited to, the following: Live, dead, stuffed or preserved animals, birds, fish, snakes, insects, or any similar things.

10.  Distracting devices, such as noise making devices, a horn, or laser pointers are not permitted.

11.    Pupils shall not bring firearms or explosives on the school bus at any time.

12.   Pupils shall not have candy or gum, nor eat or drink on the bus at any time. All food and drink items must be sealed.  This applies to ball/extracurricular trips as well.  Team coaches/sponsors must enforce the rules of the bus.

13.   Pupils shall not be permitted to bring any item on the bus that might block the center aisle, step well, entrance door, emergency door, or any of the windows, or that would be dangerous in case of collision, or would present a fire hazard, or that would take up pupil seating space.  Footballs, basketballs, volleyballs, baseballs, and softballs must be kept in the possession of the owner at all times and not tossed about inside the bus.  Owners will be responsible for items brought onto the bus.

14.  Pupils must be aware that while being transported, the school district may use audio and video surveillance devices (cameras) on the bus.

15.   The use of cell phones on the bus by students in grades Kindergarten through 5^th grade is prohibited. 

16.   Students using devices to listen to music or other recorded playback items must shall ensure the use of headphones/earbuds to minimize sound disturbances.

17.   Should any pupil persist in violating any of these regulations, it shall be the duty of the driver to notify the school principal or proper administrator.

18.   Serious misconduct and/or repeated offenses of these regulations will result in referral to the principal or proper administrator.  At that time the principal or designee will:

a.        First Offense: Conference with student and send a letter/note to parents.

b.       Second Offense: Student will face disciplinary action of a detention.

c.        Third Offense: Student will face disciplinary action of the alternative classroom for 1-2 days.

d.       Fourth Offense: Student will be suspended from the bus for five school days.

e.       Fifth Offense: Student will be suspended from the bus for the remainder of the school year, or a minimum of 30 school days should the offense happen within the last 30 days of school.

Items A-E are guidelines. More serious offenses such as fighting, destruction of property, use of tobacco/vaping, possession of weapons or unsafe objects, or the cause of an unsafe transportation environment, will be handled as regular school offenses and result in a bus suspension while that punishment is carried out. Parents are responsible for getting students suspended from the bus to and from school.