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Bus Rules and Consequences

Sanger ISD regards the bus as an extension of the campus school day. All rules and guidelines in the student code of conduct apply on the school bus to protect the passengers and shall include, but are not limited to the following:

  • ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER EACH YEAR FOR BUS TRANSPORTATION PRIOR TO RIDING THE BUS.

    • This can be done at the Transportation office, and allows the District to verify each student's address and eligibility. Eligibility will be determined at the time of registration. A new application for transportation must be submitted each and every school year and when you have updated address information.

  • The bus driver is in charge of students on the bus. Students shall follow the driver’s directions in regards to bus safety rules and bus operations at all times.

  • Students must ride the bus they are SPECIFICALLY ASSIGNED TO and may only load and unload at the stop designated by transportation. 

    • Bus hopping or changing from assigned buses is not permitted.

  • Buses will stop at designated stops only. Students are to arrive at their bus stop five (5) minutes before their pick up time. Consistent tardiness to the bus stop will be handled as a normal rule violation. Students will wait next to (but not in) the street, driveway or parking lot. Students must be respectful of property surrounding the stop.

    • A morning stop with no students for three consecutive days will be dropped from the route until the Transportation Department receives a request to reinstate the route.

  • ONLY Sanger ISD Students and eligible Sanger ISD students may ride the bus.

    • Parents, parents sponsors, or guests must receive prior authorization from a Sanger ISD Administrator to board a bus.

  • If seat belts are installed on the bus, the students must wear them properly around their waist and shoulder.

  • Students will remain properly seated at all times (facing forward, keeping feet in front of them with their backs completely on the vinyl seat backs and NOT ON THE WINDOW). ALL Sanger ISD students receive assigned seating.

  • ALL Sanger ISD Buses are NO TOUCH BUSES. Zero tolerance will be applied. Any verbal or physical behavior that constitutes Sexual Harassment and/or Bullying is prohibited on the bus and at designated bus stops. Students must keep all body parts, body fluids and personal objects from contacting another student unnecessarily.

  • Students are allowed to drink WATER ONLY from a container with a twist on spill proof top. Eating is prohibited.

  • No littering or throwing items inside or from the bus. Students must keep their hands, head, feet and personal objects inside the bus at all times. Zero tolerance will be applied.

  • Students are not allowed to engage in loud talking, yelling, inappropriate language, or displaying obscene gestures. No yelling out of an open window. The bus driver may require any or all students to be silent on the bus.

  • Students shall not vandalize the bus. Students who vandalize will be responsible for the cost of repair and will not be permitted to ride the bus until those damages are paid.

  • Students are not allowed to bring animals, insects, or harmful objects to the stop or on the bus (i.e. weapons, drugs, prescriptions, alcohol, tobacco, e-cig, fireworks, laser lights, etc.).

  • Students may use cell phones for any operation EXCEPT Camera or Video Use. (No picture taking, video recording, face time, or Skype of themselves, others, or surroundings for any reason.)  Students shall keep their cell phone or other electronic device to themselves and not share with others.  

  • Band instruments or class projects are allowed on Sanger ISD buses provided they can be held by the student (not taller than shoulder or seat high), fit in the seat with the student, does not interfere with the availability of seating of other students, and does not interfere with the safety of students or bus operation.

  • Students are not to engage in any other conduct that disrupts the safe operation of the bus. All Sanger ISD campus and Transportation policies and rules are enforceable at any SISD bus stop or campus.

  • Rail Road Crossings: All students are to be silent at the crossing. (DPS commercial driver’s manual, Section 10-School Buses)

  • Students may be denied bus privileges and be required to pay for any damage to any part of the bus, including seats and equipment that is obtained as a result of their actions.

  • At the bus stop;

    • If the driver witnesses an offense at or around a bus stop, a Bus report will be written.

    • Drivers are not required to wait for students at the bus stop and are not allowed to sound the horn for students to come out of their residence.

    • Students are to be at the stop 5 minutes before the scheduled pick up time.

    • Line up in single file at least 10 feet from the curb/roadway.

    • Do not approach the bus until it is at a complete stop and the doors have opened.

    • If you must cross the street, always wait for the driver to signal and only cross 10-15 feet in front of the bus looking both ways.

    • NEVER cross the street behind the bus.

    • Be alert and watch for cars that do not stop when the bus is loading or unloading students.

    • Use the handrail and steps.

    • While loading the bus, stay single file and board in an orderly fashion.

    • Go directly to your seat and sit down.

    • The bus will not move until you are properly seated.

    • Never run after a moving bus. If you miss the bus, go home immediately.

  • While riding on the bus;

    • Students must follow the driver’s instructions at all times.

    • All items brought on board must fit in the student’s lap. Please make special arrangements for transporting large articles such as large band instruments, large projects, or any item which takes up another student’s seat.

    • Sports equipment (such as, but not limited to a basketball or tennis racquet) must be contained in a duffle bag or back pack. Golf clubs and color guard flags or poles are not able to be transported on the bus except during field trips.

    • Take your backpack off, sit with your back touching the seatback and your feet in front of you with your backpack in your lap.

  • At the School;

    • Board your bus immediately

    • Don’t rush the bus, wait your turn to load

    • Don’t run after the bus. Once the bus closes their door and pulls away from the bus lane, they will not stop.

    • If you miss your bus, go to the office so you can call someone for a ride

  • When exiting the bus;

    • Remain seated until the bus is at a complete stop and the door opens.

    • Remain seated until the person exiting in front of you has risen and entered the aisle.

    • While exiting the bus, stay single file and disembark in an orderly fashion.

    • If you must cross the street, always wait for the driver to signal and only cross 10-15 feet in front of the bus looking both ways.

    • NEVER cross the street behind the bus.

    • Be alert and watch for cars that do not stop when the bus is loading or unloading students.

    • If the driver witnesses an offense at or around a bus stop, a Bus report will be written.

    • The driver will not drop a Kindergarten or 1st grade student off unsupervised. If an older sibling can take responsibility for the Kindergarten or 1st grade student, we ask that a letter be sent to the attention of the Transportation Department at 601 Elm St, Sanger, TX 76266. Students 2nd grade and up will be dropped off unsupervised unless the student expresses trepidation about being left alone.

 

 

Consequences for Rule Violations

Sanger ISD Transportation operates under a progressive discipline policy** when promoting and enforcing student safety on the bus.

This means that any safety violations will build on past violations in the same school year, resulting in longer suspension periods.

Written warning**

3 Day Suspension

10 Day Suspension

30 Day Suspension

Indefinite Suspension


**Any behavior endangering the driver or other students will constitute a Severe Clause and will be enforced at the discretion of the Director of Transportation. A Severe Clause will bypass the progressive discipline policy including a written warning and move directly to a suspension. The length of suspension will be based on the seriousness of the offense.

Any child suspended from bus services is NOT ALLOWED to board ANY SANGER ISD Bus for any reason.

Suspensions can only be served during active school days.