Sharyland I.S.D. Bus Rider Safety Guide
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BUS RIDER SAFETY GUIDE

Ensuring safe transportation for all students

Contact Transportation View Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTACT INFORMATION Section 1 THE RULES OF THE RIDE Section 2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS Section 3 STUDENT ID CARD SCANNING Section 4 INFORMATION FOR PARENTS Section 5

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sharyland ISD Transportation

Department Contact:

Transportation Center:
1243 E. Business Hwy 83
Mission, Texas 78572
956-580-5240

Questions or Concerns:

Please contact the Transportation Department at 956-580-5240 during 6 AM to 5:30 PM.

Bus Routes:

Bus route maps and stop times are available at: Bus Routes Website

THE RULES OF THE RIDE

School Bus Illustration

The Transportation Department strives to support academic achievement by providing a safe and positive experience for students during their morning and afternoon rides to and from school. This guide will help students and parents/guardians understand the responsibilities involved with riding the school bus to ensure safety and reliability. Parents/guardians are encouraged to read and discuss this important information with their child.

Riding a school bus is a privilege provided by the Sharyland Independent School District. Misconduct on the bus or at the bus stop may result in a student losing this privilege.

Transportation Eligibility

To be eligible for transportation, a student must live within the boundaries of Sharyland I.S.D. Newly enrolled students will have to register with their Home Attendance School and have their address verified prior to getting permission to ride a school bus or be placed on a school bus route.

General Safety Rules

The bus driver's primary attention must be focused on safely transporting students. In order to accomplish this, Sharyland I.S.D. has incorporated safety rules that drivers are expected to follow.

  • Listen and follow the instructions of the bus driver.
  • Board and leave the bus at designated stops only.
  • Students must ride the bus they are assigned. Buses will load and unload only at designated stops.
  • All students are asked to be at their designated stops 10 minutes prior to pick up times.
  • All students need to be physically seen in plain sight to ensure proper pick up.

Note: Approved video and audio recording equipment may be used for safety purposes to monitor student conduct.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

Riding a school bus is a privilege provided by the Sharyland Independent School District. Misconduct on the bus or at the bus stop may result in a student losing this privilege.

Prohibited Items

Do NOT bring the following items on the bus:

  • Tobacco, vaping/e-cigarettes and alcoholic beverages
  • Glass containers
  • Weapons, explosive devices, harmful drugs or chemicals
  • Live animals or insects

Waiting for the Bus

  • Be at your bus stop 10 minutes before scheduled pick-up time
  • Stand on sidewalk or 10 feet back from roadway
  • Form a line when bus approaches and prepare to load
  • Stay where driver can see you at all times

Loading the Bus

  • Be respectful. Do not push or shove.
  • Be safe. Use the handrail and steps.
  • Use only the front door for entering and exiting. The emergency door and exit controls will only be used during supervised drills or actual emergencies.
  • Do not use electronic devices while boarding the bus. Remove headphones and earbuds.
  • Bus drivers will assign seating. Drivers may change seating assignments as needed.
  • Go to your seat. The bus will not move until all students are seated and seatbelts are fastened, if the bus is equipped with seatbelts.
  • Remember to scan your ID card when boarding the bus (see the ID Card Scanning section).

Conduct on the Bus

Bus Rules & Safety
  • Remain seated with seatbelt fastened while bus is moving
  • Normal conversation is allowed
  • Do not throw objects inside or outside the bus
  • Do not open windows without permission
  • Do not damage any part of the bus
  • Keep all objects out of the aisles
  • Recording devices are prohibited
  • Profane/vulgar language and spitting prohibited
  • Eating, drinking, smoking prohibited
  • Radios or speakers are prohibited
  • Music playback only with headphones
  • Fighting, pushing and shoving prohibited

Exiting the Bus

  • Stay seated with seatbelt fastened until bus comes to a complete stop
  • Use handrail and take one step at a time when leaving the bus
  • Wait for your turn to leave the bus; pushing will only slow exit
  • Stay clear of the bus when engine is started
  • If an item drops near the bus, ask the driver for help
  • Remember to scan your ID card when exiting the bus

Accidents or Emergencies

  • Follow the driver's instructions.
  • The following procedures will be used for evacuation in an emergency:
    • If you must leave the bus, stay with your group.
    • The student nearest the door will open the door, exit, and hold it open.
    • Evacuation will start with the seat closest to the door.
    • Leave the bus in single file as quietly as possible.
    • Once outside, follow the driver's instructions completely.

Going Home

  • Go straight home or to your designated caregiver after getting off the bus
  • The District's responsibility ends when a student leaves the bus

Crossing the Street

  • Cross at intersections and obey all traffic signs
  • When crossing, walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus
  • Never cross the road behind the bus

STAY OUT OF THE DANGER ZONE

Every bus has a DANGER ZONE around it. That is the area where the bus driver can't see you. The DANGER ZONE is 10 feet in every direction around the bus. It's 10 feet in front, 10 feet in back, and 10 feet on each side of the bus.

Bus Danger Zone

STUDENT ID CARD SCANNING REQUIREMENT

Student ID Card

All students are required to scan their student ID cards when entering and exiting the school bus. This system helps ensure student safety by tracking ridership and allowing the Transportation Department to know who is on each bus.

ID Card Scanning Benefits:

  • Helps ensure only authorized students are riding the assigned bus
  • Allows district staff to quickly locate students in case of emergency
  • Provides accurate ridership data to improve transportation services
  • Notifies parents through the parent portal when students board and exit the bus

Scanning Procedures

  • 1

    When Boarding:

    Scan your ID card on the reader as you enter the bus. Wait for the confirmation beep or signal.

  • 2

    When Exiting:

    Scan your ID card on the reader as you exit the bus.

  • 3

    Lost or Damaged Cards:

    Report to your school office immediately to get a replacement.

Important Reminders

  • Scanning is mandatory for every trip
  • If you forget your card, notify the bus driver
  • Repeated instances of forgotten cards will be reported
  • Failure to consistently scan may result in disciplinary action

Remember: Scanning your ID card is mandatory and a requirement for bus transportation.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANS

Thank you for reviewing this information with your children. We value the opportunity to provide transportation to Sharyland I.S.D. students.

Finding a Bus Route

Information about specific bus routes is available at:

Bus Routes Website

Or call the Transportation Department at 956-580-5240

Missing the Bus

  • If a student misses the bus, it is the parents' responsibility to provide transportation
  • Do not chase the bus. Proceed to the next stop if possible
  • If missed in the morning, the student should go home immediately
  • If missed in the afternoon, go to the principal's office

Helpful Guidelines

  • Review and discuss the student responsibilities with your child
  • Remind your child that the driver is the person of authority on the bus
  • Ensure your child arrives at the bus stop 10 minutes before pickup time
  • Provide supervision going to and from the bus stop if necessary
  • Make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather
  • Determine if the weather is too severe for your child to wait
  • Instruct your children on procedures to follow if they miss the bus
  • Ensure your child remembers to bring and scan their ID card

Inclement Weather

If school is in session, the buses will run. School will be dismissed upon instruction from the Superintendent or the Superintendent's designee.

Check the Sharyland I.S.D. website for important information during emergencies.

Articles Left on the Bus

Drivers are NOT responsible for a student's property. Articles left on the bus will be turned in to the school office.

Field Trips

Bus rider rules apply to all school-sponsored events. Discipline is the responsibility of the campus principal and the trip sponsor/chaperone.

Discipline

The driver is responsible for discipline on the bus. Misconduct is reported to the principal, who assumes responsibility for taking proper disciplinary actions.

In the event of disciplinary issues:

  • Ensure that payment is made for any damage caused by your child.
  • Provide transportation for your child if the privilege of riding the bus is withdrawn.