Getting Ready for School: Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so that they won't drop things along the way. Insure they have their bus pass handy (many parents purchase an ID card pouch or put it in the ID card window of the backpack). Have them wear bright, contrasting colors so that they will be more easily seen by drivers. Better still, attach a piece of high visibility fluorescent/reflective material to their clothing or backpack. Make sure they leave home on time so that they can walk to the bus stop and arrive before the bus is due. Running can be dangerous. Your child should be at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.

Walking to the Bus Stop: Go to the bus stop with a young child and have older children walk in groups. There's safety in numbers because groups are easier for drivers to see. Practice good pedestrian behavior along the way: walk on the sidewalk if there is one; if there is no sidewalk, stay out of the street if at all possible; if you must walk in the street, walk single file, face traffic and stay as close to the edge of the road as you can; stop and look left, right and left again if you must cross the street. Do the same thing at driveways and alleys. Exaggerate your head turns and "narrate" your actions so that your child knows you are looking left, right and left. Children KN-2nd grade must be accompanied by an adult.

Waiting at the Bus Stop: Don't let your child play running games or push or shove at the bus stop. It's too dangerous near traffic. Make sure your child stands at least 3 giant steps from the road while waiting for the bus. The child will then be out of the way of traffic. Have younger children practice taking 3 giant steps to become familiar with how far away they need to be.

Getting on the Bus: Ensure children stay at least 6 feet away from the bus until the driver opens the door. Children will then be able to see the driver and the driver can see them. Ensure children have bus pass ready, this must be shown every time they board the bus.

Riding the Bus: Teach your children to be good bus riders. They should: Talk quietly. Be courteous to the bus driver and follow the driver's directions. Show the bus pass to the driver every time they ride the bus. Stay seated for the whole bus ride. Never eat or drink on the bus.

Getting off the Bus: Children KN-2nd grade must be picked-up by an adult (if other then parent, please give a permission note to the School Bus Office) If children must cross the street after exiting the bus, teach them to wait for the bus to leave, then look all around for traffic and listen. If traffic is coming, let it pass.  If there is no traffic near, walk straight across the road, do not run. Warn children that, if they drop something near the bus, they should never ever pick it up. Instead, they should tell the bus driver and follow the driver's directions. It they bend over to pick up a dropped object, they might not be seen by the driver and could be hurt if the driver pulls away from the stop. Teach your children to secure loose drawstrings and other objects that could get caught in the handrail or door of the bus as they are exiting. If you decide to meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street. Children often get very excited when seeing you and dash across the street -- forgetting all caution and safety rules.

Note: Obtain a temporary bus pass from the School Bus Office if you want your child to ride a different bus or to get off at a stop other then the one shown on the bus pass. Remember, drivers are not allowed to let a child board a different bus or let him/her off at another stop without a temporary bus pass.