The most dangerous place for bus passengers is the 10-foot area around the outside of the bus. We call this the "danger zone" because this is where the school bus driver may not be able to see passengers. Here are some simple rules on the school bus and at the bus stop to stay safe:

• Always be on time at the bus stop. 
• Always stand back from the curb.
• Always walk to and from the bus. Do not run.
• Always await your turn to get on or off the bus. Do not push and shove.
• Always stay in your seat unless the driver tells you otherwise.
• Always keep the aisle in the bus clear.
• Always talk quietly to the people sitting around you. There's no need to yell and shout.
• Always obey the driver. His or her job is to look out for your safety.
• Always take at least 10 giant steps before turning when you get off the bus. This is so the driver can see you.
• Always wait for the driver's okay before crossing the street.
• Always cross the street at least 10 feet in front of the bus. This is so that the driver can see you.
• Never crawl underneath a school bus. If you drop something, tell the driver, and he or she will tell you what to do.

Information and forms for the Conduct of Students Riding School Buses are incorporated in the FCPS Student Responsibilities and Rights (SR&R). When parents sign the SR&R, they acknowledge appropriate behaviors for students using school buses.

One thing that is important to know is that the use of cell phones or other electronic devices is limited to texting, playing games, and listening to music only with the use of headphones. Failure to follow these guidelines will be reported to school administration. Telephone conversations are allowed only with the explicit permission of the driver.

Space on buses can be tight, with limited available seat width for students. Large instruments and projects are allowed on buses if they can be safely carried in the student’s lap. Otherwise, large items, which are extremely dangerous in the event of a crash or sudden stop, must be transported by the parent.

Lost items will be held on the bus or returned to the school office. Unclaimed and unlabeled items are donated to charity.

FCPS selects bus routes that run on roads that are properly maintained and considered to be safe for school bus travel. Stops are not designed to drop students off in front of their homes and parents are responsible for making sure that they choose a safe walking route for their children to get to and from the bus stop. Exceptions are made for students with special needs. Bus stop information is NOT published on any public website for safety reasons. Schools will provide the list to students before the beginning of the school year.

There are times when the driver may make a decision to return children to school. This may happen when:

• The driver has any concerns regarding the safety of releasing a student.
• A child expresses concern, for any reason, about getting off of the bus.
• There are no safe, transportation-approved alternate locations in the case of emergencies (such as road closures, accidents, or weather related road problems).

Kindergarten students riding on afternoon school buses will be returned to school unless they are met at the bus door by a parent, guardian, caregiver, or sibling who is middle school age or higher and asked for by name.

Family and Early Childhood Program (FECEP)-Head Start-Pre-School, FECEP-Head Start, and pre-school students will be returned to school unless they are met at the bus door by a parent or another responsible adult who is 18 years of age or older and named in writing by the parent.

Students may be required to walk to schools or bus stops up to one mile for elementary students and 1.5 miles for secondary students. The distance is measured with a walking wheel (not an odometer) and run from the school property line to the residential property line. If there are two or more acceptable walking routes, the route that is the shortest will be considered to be valid. However, we do not assess all possible walking routes, supervise those routes, or guarantee the safety of any particular route. Staff members provide general safety information to school communities, and respond to requests for specific information and advice when possible. We also assess routes for unusual hazards when concerns are brought to their attention by walkers, parents, or others.

Please contact the Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2010 for information concerning:

• Evaluation of student walking routes
• Kiss and Ride areas
• Crossing guards
• Traffic control matters and other safety concerns with school sites

Parents are responsible for selecting their children's walking routes to and from bus stops, schools, and home. Parents are also responsible for providing supervision that is appropriate to the student's age, the student's maturity, and conditions on the route. Special arrangements or precautions may be needed for younger riders such as students in kindergarten or preschool.

As a parent and community member, it is also important to know the rules of interacting with a school bus when you are driving. Here are some of the most important rules to know and remember:

• All drivers must stop for a school bus when a school bus is stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading children.
• A driver approaching an intersection from any direction must stop and remain stopped until all children are clear of the highway and the bus is put in motion.
• An an undivided highway or street, all motorists must stop, even in the center turning lane, and remain stopped until all children are clear of the highway and the bus is in motion.
• On a divided highway or street, drivers traveling in any of the lanes going in the same direction as the school bus must stop. Motorists on the highway on the other side of the physical barrier or unpaved area are not required to stop.
• Motorists are required to stop when a school bus is loading or unloading children even if the school traffic safety devices are not functioning properly. There are legal penalties for not stopping. Penalties can include:
  • Reckless driving charge
  • Jail for not less than 12 months, fine of $2,500 (or both)
  • Four points on your license

Transportation and schools work together to support the Safety Patrol Program. Patrols are very important for bus safety. Patrols help the driver by assisting during emergency drills, maintaining order on the bus and at the bus stop, and serving as lookouts while the bus is backing. View the Safety Patrol Handbook for additional information.

• Assist the school by submitting accurate and timely information to your child’s school.
• Submit correct information on the Student Emergency Care Card. Incorrect and untimely information may delay the onset of transportation services.
• Inform the school administrator, bus driver, or attendant of any medical condition or behavior which might affect the student’s safety or health on the bus.
• Assure that, when applicable, an authorized person will be at the bus stop on time when the child is dropped off. Provide the school with the enclosed form to release your student unattended when appropriate.
• Make sure your child is fully clothed, toileted, and ready at the bus stop five minutes before pickup time. Due to your child’s needs, it may be necessary to accompany your child to the designated pick up or from the drop off point. The bus driver is not required to wait and cannot blow the horn for a tardy student, as this creates late pick-up times for other students.
• If your child misses the bus, the driver cannot come back. Transport your child to school as quickly as possible and notify the school of any problems.
• Teach your child the school bus safety rules and appropriate bus-riding behavior.
• Maintain and return--in good working condition--all equipment issued by FCPS for transporting your child.

• Be at the bus stop at least five minutes before pick up time.
• Always sit down and buckle seat belt (when available).
• Listen to the driver and attendant.
• No eating or drinking inside the school bus.
• No fighting, no smoking, and talk quietly.
• No abusive language.
• No pets, toys, or distracting objects on the school bus.
• Respect the rights of the other students, drivers, and attendants.
• Students who drive their own vehicles or ride with friends on a regular basis instead of riding the school bus should not expect bus transportation when their private vehicles are not available for their use.

• Notify the parent or guardian of the bus number and approximate time of pick-up and approximate drop-off.
• Ensure the overall safe operation of the school bus.
• Display appropriate care and patience.
• Be prepared to provide appropriate medical intervention.
• Maintain an emergency evacuation plan that lists the needs and ability of each student. Be prepared to effectively and efficiently evacuate the bus in the event of an emergency.
• Understand and maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the families whose children they transport.
• Complete and submit an incident report to the designated school administrator for behavior problems that occur on the bus.
• Report to the school administration any significant changes in a student’s behavior.
• Assist students on and off of the bus as required by their special needs.
• The attendant will be located in a position inside the bus that best meets the needs of all the students.
• The attendant will help students who need assistance boarding and leaving the bus.
• To avoid the risk of injury to students or assisting adults, students should not be carried up or down the bus steps during the loading or unloading procedure. If a student cannot negotiate the bus steps with a reasonable degree of assistance, the bus driver and assistant should consult the Transportation Office to implement an alternative procedure. One exception would be the infants in the teen-parenting program secured in infant carriers. Preschool age students may be carried up and down the bus steps during loading and unloading.
• The attendant works with the driver to secure belts, wheelchairs, and additional equipment.
• The attendant will help students exhibit safe bus riding behavior by ensuring that students stay in their seats and follow bus safety rules.
• The attendant will help with student’s needs and advise the driver when medical help is needed.