Parent and Student Information

School buses are considered an extension of the classroom, and student behavior on buses is required to mirror behavior in the classroom. School administrators are responsible for school bus discipline. Students are required to obey bus driver instructions and bus drivers report conduct issues to school administrators. Only school administrators assign consequences for student conduct issues. Parents/guardians please share these rules and the consequences for breaking them with your student.

Bus Assignment

• Students may ride only the bus to which they are assigned (based on the location of their residence or day care).

• Students who are not entitled to transportation may not ride any bus to/from school.

• Students may use only the bus stop assigned to them.

• Students must be AT THE BUS STOP prior to the scheduled arrival of the bus. Buses cannot wait for students to walk to the bus. Buses may delay for a very short time during inclement weather. Buses will only stop at a bus stop the first time the bus passes a stop during each route, even if the bus passes the stop again during the route.

Exceptions: Students may ride another bus only when space is available and a bus pass signed by both a parent/guardian and administrator is provided to the bus driver. Students may not get on or off the bus at any location other than their assigned stop unless a bus pass signed by both a parent/guardian and administrator is provided to the bus driver. 

Bus Stop Rules

• Students should stand away from the roadway and clear of traffic at bus stops. Students must not stand or play in the roadway.

• Students should stand no closer than 15 feet from the bus and wait until the driver opens the door before moving toward the bus.

• Students must remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop and the driver opens the bus door.

• Students who must cross the roadway to enter the bus or must cross the roadway after exiting the bus should cross the road ONLY after being signaled to cross by the bus driver. Students should also look both ways before crossing the roadway.

• Horseplay at bus stops is forbidden and students must respect the property of others. Students should report any suspicious persons to the bus driver immediately upon entering the bus.

• Students riding a bus home after school must move quickly to the bus after school is dismissed. When a school administrator signals the buses to depart and the bus doors close, no additional student loading is permitted. Students who miss the bus must report to the school administrator or teacher in the bus loading area to contact someone to take them home. Buses will not return to schools to pick-up students who miss the bus. 

Boarding

• When boarding the bus at a bus stop or school, students must board the bus in an orderly manner and move immediately to their assigned seat. When departing the bus, students must move in an orderly manner.

• Students must sit facing forward and feet and legs must be out of the bus aisle. Students are strictly forbidden from extending any part of their body outside the bus windows at any time.

• Students must not signal or communicate with people outside the bus and must not be disrespectful to motorists or pedestrians around the bus.

• Students may be required to close windows at the end of the day and during inclement weather.

• Quiet conversation is normally allowed on school buses, however students may not shout or talk loudly. Bus drivers may forbid talking when the volume of conversation creates an unsafe condition such as students cannot hear safety instructions. 

Safety

• Students are not allowed to stand while the bus is in motion. Limited numbers of students may be allowed to stand for the first 20 days of each school year until routes can be adjusted to eliminate overcrowding. The maximum number of students in a seat is three.

• Pens, pencils and other sharp objects must be stored inside book bags or carrying cases to prevent injuries on the bus.

• Students may not operate or tamper with emergency exits or roof hatches and may not operate the service door.

• Students should be quiet when the bus stops at railroad crossings.

• Students may not transport any item on a school bus that cannot be safely secured in the student’s lap. This includes band instruments, lunch boxes, science projects, sports equipment and fund raising items.

•  All items brought on the bus must be secured in the student’s lap for the duration of the trip. Sporting equipment (balls, rackets, bats, etc) and any item with wheels (roller skates, skateboards, etc) must be completely enclosed in a case or bag and must also be held in the student’s lap. No item may be placed in the aisles, under a seat, in another seat or on the engine compartment cover. Book bags with handles that extend must have the handle fully retracted. Students may not sit on any item nor place any item behind them in the seat.

• To view Richland Two's COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols, click here.

Forbidden Items and Damages

• Students may not bring open food or beverage containers on school buses except when approved by school administrators.

• Students may not bring animals or insects on school buses. Any item forbidden at school is also forbidden on school buses.

• Students must not damage or deface any part of the bus and must assist the driver in keeping the bus clean. Students will be charged for any damage they cause to a bus.