Bus and Bus Stop Rules

Parents are encouraged to explain to the students that school bus safety and adherence to bus rules are expected of everyone so that students may travel to and from home in a safe and orderly manner.  It is important for students to remember that disciplinary offenses at the bus stop and while on the bus will be dealt with by school administration.  

Student’s Responsibilities

• Learn and follow the rules and regulations of bus and bus stop behavior.
• Take responsibility for your actions and behavior

Parent’s Responsibilities

• Encourage student to learn and follow the rules and regulations of bus and bus stop behavior. 
• Know the bus and bus stop rules and regulations of the school.
• Assume the responsibility of monitoring bus stop behavior and notifying the police and the school if assistance is needed.

BUS RIDERSHIP IS A PRIVILEGE PROVIDED FOR STUDENTS BY THE DARE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.  THIS PRIVILEGE MAY BE REVOKED BY THE PRINCIPAL AND/OR ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR FAILURE TO ABIDE BY BUS AND BUS STOP RULES.

Important Phone Numbers

Parents should call the following numbers for assistance: Dare County Schools Transportation Department 252-473-3717. Students are expected to observe the following rules for safety and courtesy on the bus and at the bus stop.

At the Bus Stop

• Arrive at the assigned bus stop five (5) minutes before bus pickup
• Stand on the sidewalk or the edge of the street by the curb
  • Stay off private property
  • Avoid standing on the traveled part of the roadway
  • Be respectful and watchful of traffic
  • Wait in a quiet and orderly manner

When the Bus Arrives

• Allow the bus to come to a complete stop
• Look both ways before crossing the street
• Watch for the drivers hand signals before crossing the street
  • Only start toward the bus after getting the “all clear” from the bus driver
  • Board the bus in a quiet and orderly manner

On the Bus

• Remain seated at all times
• Speak in a quiet voice, cooperate with the driver, and practice orderly conduct
• Refrain from the following while on the bus:
  • Use of inappropriate language
  • Eating or drinking
  • Vandalism
  • Displaying body parts outside the bus
  • Audible radios, tapes, or electronic audio/video devices
  • In possession of live animals 
  • In possession of unsafe objects or weapons
  • Throwing of items from the bus or on the bus

Leaving Bus

• Remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop
• Leave the bus in an orderly manner
• Leave at your assigned bus stop
• Cross in front of the bus.  “Remain clear of the School Bus Danger Zone” - anywhere within ten (10) feet of the bus.  If you cannot see the bus driver, the bus driver cannot see you and know where you are with regard to the bus. 

 If a student has left a personal item on the bus, please call the Transportation Department.  Transportation personnel will do their very best to ensure personal property is returned.  Remind students they should not attempt to reenter the bus after being discharged.  Safety and the well being of students is more important than a personal item left on the bus.  

Procedures for Accidents

Emergency service agencies (Police, Fire, or EMS) will take charge of the accident scene upon their arrival.  The EMS will set up a Triage Area and a Holding Area near the accident scene.  The responsibility for the determination of injuries and potential injuries for any person involved in the accident rests with the highest appropriately trained on-scene EMS personnel.

All injuries and potentially injured persons (as determined by EMS personnel) will be transported to area hospitals.  The number of ambulance utilized and hospital destinations will be determined by the on-scene emergency services personnel.  No student shall be permitted to leave the accident scene without a parent or guardian signing a Refusal Form provided by the EMS personnel.

The school shall have two (2) school representatives at the Holding Area to provide information to the emergency personnel. 

Off-Campus Pick-up (In Event of Emergencies)

If an emergency required the evacuation of a school and if re-entry into the building was not possible, students may be transported to a secure site off-campus until they would be taken home by bus or until parents could pick them up. Parents would be notified of the location for off-campus pickup in the following ways:

• Dare County Schools Website on the District Alerts (front page)
• Automated phone notification system (subscription required)
• Email communication (subscription required)
• Beach 104 radio station 

Depending on the reason a school is evacuated, law enforcement may block access roads to the school from all traffic. Please be advised that students may not be able to retrieve personal items (including backpacks or vehicles) until law enforcement deems it is advisable to grant access to the school campus and/or to personal property. Updates regarding access to the school would be provided on the district website.