Transportation

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Important Guidelines

Transporting large personal property is prohibited on school buses. This includes the following musical instruments: baritone sax, French horn, cello, viola, tuba, large drum, baritone horn, or any trombone or like-sized instrument measuring more than the specified size limit. Also prohibited is the transportation of glass containers, skateboards, roller blades, pets or animals, and class projects, sports equipment, etc., larger than 1x1x3 feet.

BE CAREFUL! School bus transportation requires responsibility on the part of students, parents, and bus drivers. If the following guidelines are observed, it will help us provide safe, economical transportation for all youngsters.

Students Should:

• Be on time (five minutes early is recommended) at the scheduled stop. The bus cannot wait. It will not pause or stop unless the student is out in front and visible to the driver.
• Wait until the bus comes to a full stop before getting on or off. Stand clear of the bus until it stops, and the door is opened. If necessary to cross the road, wait for a signal from the bus driver and check the traffic before crossing.
• Enter the bus one at a time and go directly to your seat. Allow small children to enter first. Do not change seats unless instructed by the driver. Stay in your seat until the bus comes to a complete stop. Leave the bus in a single file to avoid an accident.
• Don’t talk to the driver while the bus is in motion.
• Check your belongings before you get off — if something is lost, you can call the Transportation Department at (716) 407-9500
• Follow the bus driver’s instructions.
• Stay in your own space.
• Use quiet, courteous voices.
• Eating and drinking are not allowed on the bus.
• Don’t bring live animals or other items of a dangerous nature on the bus.
• Smoking, Vaping, and other flammable materials are prohibited. Including aerosol cans.
• Electronic devices may be used on the bus so long as they are not a distraction to the driver and others.  Students may not take pictures or videotape others without permission while riding the bus. 
• Students must use their assigned bus. Drivers are only authorized to accept notes stamped by the school’s office to ride a different bus. Principals or the transportation office may arrange for an alternate bus in case of an emergency.
• The bus is considered an extension of the classroom.  Students are expected to follow the Clarence Central School District Code of Conduct when riding the bus. Failure to do so may result in discipline.
• Children who abuse bus privileges by not observing the rules, according to the law, may be deprived of transportation.

Safety Tips ... As school begins, parents and teachers are encouraged to provide special emphasis on school bus safety. Among the top tips:

• I see you, you see me ... visual contact between the driver and student is critical. Students should look at the drivers’ faces while waiting outside in front of the bus. The driver should be able to see the student, which means the child is out of the driver’s blind spot in front of the bus.
• Wait for the driver’s signal to cross ... Children can’t see traffic through the side of a bus. But, the driver, with side and rear mirrors, can analyze what is happening in traffic. The driver will signal the child to cross the highway only when convinced that traffic is controlled.
• Left, Right and Left Again ... When crossing a highway, traffic reaches us first from the left. So, looking Left, Right, and Left Again greatly enhances the ability to safely cross.
• Use Backpacks or Bookbags ... Children are less likely to drop something that they’ll be tempted to dash into the street to pick up.
• Dress for Safety ... Remove drawstrings from jackets and hoods. Drawstrings, scarves, and loose clothing can become caught when exiting the bus, creating a potential safety hazard.

Parent Responsibilities

As a district, we are committed to the safety, security, and education of all our students and believe that we need to be a partner with our families.  

It is the parent's responsibility to get their children to their bus stop and to supervise their children at the bus stop. (39 N.Y.2d 554) The student becomes the responsibility of the school when they board our district's

The rules in the classroom apply to the bus as well.  Respect your driver, as you would your children’s teacher, and encourage your children to be respectful to their fellow riders by being courteous, speaking at a classroom level, and using proper language.

 If you will be unable to make it home in time to receive your elementary student, please make arrangements for someone to meet your child(ren) at home or make arrangements to have your child picked up at their elementary school.

 Parents or any unauthorized individuals are not allowed on school buses.  This is for the safety of all staff and students.