Bus Rules

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has repeatedly determined that school buses are the most safest mode of transportation to and from school, with fewer fatalities than children riding in cars, on bikes, or walking. Most school bus fatalities occur when children are outside the bus, and 75% of these fatalities involve children under the age of nine.

Help us teach our children school bus and bus stop safety. Please support the driver's authority in enforcing school bus safety and behavior rules.

• Band Instruments on Buses (pdf)
• Students are allowed to be assigned to only one stop and one bus for both the morning and afternoon.  We are unable to provide service to multiple stops for a student, whether for daycare, custody issues, etc.  We serve a limited number of non-profit daycares that can become your child’s established stop.
• Classroom conduct is to be observed.
• No unnecessary conversation with the driver while the bus is in motion.
• Students must ride their assigned bus and each must board and depart at his or her designated bus stop. Students must present a written request from the parent/guardian to the Principal or Designee for approval of requested change.
• Students are to be at the bus stop at least 10 minutes before scheduled pick-up as traffic can cause minor changes in the daily schedule and the bus will not be able to wait if it arrives slightly early.
• Students will stand well off the roadway and exhibit appropriate behavior while waiting for he bus. (Parents are responsible for students prior to boarding and after departing the bus).
• Students will board, depart and cross the roadway as per instructions from the Bus Driver.
• The Bus Driver must assign seats and students will sit in their assigned seats at all times.
• No portions of the body are permitted outside the bus windows.
• Reptiles, bugs, animals or marine life (alive or dead) are not permitted on the bus.
• Smoking, use of tobacco products or other mood modifying substances is strictly prohibited.
• Band instruments, school projects or special equipment which interfere with the seating or safety of others are not permitted on the bus.
• Inappropriate gestures, obscenities, vulgarity or profanity will not be permitted.
• Eating, drinking or chewing gum is not permitted on the bus.
• Students will not throw any items in/out of the bus.
• Students will be responsible for VANDALISM and RESTITUTION will be required.
• Students must be absolutely quiet when the dome lights are on. Excessive noise is prohibited at all times.
• Any behavior that adversely effects the safety or well being of others is prohibited.
• All riders must be silent at railroad crossings.

Meet the Bus
Coordinate with other parents to ensure an adult is present at the bus stop every day, especially when children under the age of six are present. Parents are responsible for their children prior to bus arrival and after departing the bus. Kindergarten and Pre-K students will not be allowed to exit the bus without an escort present.

Remove Drawstrings
Clothing your children with drawstrings may not always be safe. Drawstrings can catch in playground equipment, fences, and school bus doors.

Remove, shorten or replace drawstrings with another kind of fastener.

In accordance with federal voluntary recalls, St. Lucie County Schools has retrofitted all school and activity bus handrails that will not snag children’s clothing.