Full Notification

To be safe when they travel to and from school, follow these simple safety rules:

AT THE BUS STOP:

• Always walk to the bus stop. Never run.
• Walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left facing traffic.
• Always go to the bus stop about five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• While at the bus stop, wait in a safe place away from the road. Do not run and play while waiting.
• Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into the car with a stranger. Always go straight home and tell you parents if a stranger tries to talk to you or pick you up.
• Wait for the bus to arrive, watch for red flashing lights and the stop sign to be extended, and cross only when all traffic has stopped. Look left, right, and left again before crossing.

ON THE BUS:

• Go directly to a seat. Remain seated and facing forward for the entire ride.
• Talk quietly (so the driver will not be distracted).
• If you need to talk to the bus driver: wait for the bus to stop, raise your hand, and call the driver's name.
• Never throw things on the bus or out the windows. Never play with the emergency exits.
• Keep the aisles clear at all times.
• If there is an emergency, listen to the driver and follow instructions.

EXIT THE BUS:

• When getting off the bus make sure you walk (not run) three more steps away from the door. This is the best place to be around a bus. Stay away from the bus wheels and watch out for moving cars!
• Once you get off the bus, go straight home so an adult will know where you are.
• Only get on and off the bus at your designated stop. If you need to get off the bus somewhere else, you will need to have a note from your parents.
• If you leave something on the bus, never return to the bus to get it. The driver may not see you come back and they may begin moving the bus. Also, if you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver before you attempt to pick it up, so they will know where you are.

DRIVERS:

 When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
 When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.
 Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in neighborhood.
 Slow down. Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
 Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street with out looking for traffic.
 Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state. Learn the "flashing signal light system" that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:

• Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
• Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.