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Bus Safety

Student Guidelines

  • Students are expected to adhere to and follow the same rules of conduct that apply in the school building.
  • Students are always expected to obey the driver and respond promptly to the driver’s instructions.
  • Students are to sit in their assigned seat and remain seated until the bus arrives at their stop and the bus comes to a complete stop. Switching seats while the bus in motion is not permitted.
  • Students must keep their hands to themselves and respect other students and their property.
  • Hitting and fighting on the bus will not be tolerated. Students should avoid yelling and screaming and should keep their voice to an appropriate volume.
  • Students will avoid using inappropriate language.
  • Eating food and drinking beverages is not allowed on the bus.
  • Students are expected to keep the bus clean.
  • Smoking, chewing tobacco and consuming alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the bus.
  • Students are expected to be on time when the bus comes. After school students should be punctual in leaving the building.
  • If it is necessary that a student cross the street to board the bus, the student shall wait for a hand signal from the driver to cross, after the bus comes to a complete stop. The student should make sure to cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
  • Students should not extend any part of their bodies out of the window.
  • Students must not open or tamper with any of the emergency exits.
  • Student should not tamper with any bus equipment. Any damaged equipment, including seats, may have to be paid for by the student.
  • Students will need to obtain the school-issued bus pass when riding the late bus home from school. These passes are available in the school office. Paper passes are no longer be accepted.
  • Any pupil who violates school rules and regulations while riding the bus will be subject to bus suspension.
  • Do not exit the back of the bus unless directed by the driver.
  • Only students on the driver’s list are allowed to ride the bus. Friends and relatives are not allowed to ride the bus.
  • No live animals are to be brought on the bus with the exception of service animals, i.e. seeing-eye dogs.
  • Use of any kind of aerosol spray or cologne is not permitted on the bus.
  • Riding the bus is a privilege. Anyone who does not conduct himself/herself properly will be denied the privilege of riding the bus.
  • School bus rules also apply to any activity or athletic trips.

Parent Tips

  • Make sure your child is ready five minutes before the scheduled pick up time. The bus driver has been instructed to wait no more than 30 seconds at each stop. Because of time and schedule constraints drivers are instructed not to go back if a child has missed the bus.
  • The time that the bus stops for your child may change during the year due to students moving in and out of the district. The driver should let you know if there will be a permanent change to your child’s pick up time. The normal stop time may vary due to weather, road conditions and other factors. When school is delayed two hours the school bus will be at the stop two hours later than normal. For example, if the bus normally picks up your child at 7 a.m. then the bus will arrive at 9 a.m.
  • Gloversville is a city with many steep hills. As we all know when we have a fresh snowfall the streets, especially the hills, can be quite treacherous. For the safety of your child as well as the safety of other traffic on the street it sometimes becomes necessary for you as a parent to do your part to keep everyone safe and come to the corner and meet the bus to pick up your child.
  • Please note the following regarding after school drop offs: for students in Pre-K, Head Start, Kindergarten and First grade, a parent or adult (18 or older) who is on the approved list that is attached to the Transportation Request form needs to meet the bus to take your child off the bus. The aide or the driver may request a photo ID if a different adult is there to take the child. This is for your child’s safety.
  • If no adult is present, the driver will keep the student on bus while dispatch attempts to contact a parent. If no contact with a parent is made the child will be returned to the school at the end of the run where the parent will be required to pick up their child.
  • If your home or work telephone number changes during the year please inform the Transportation Department as soon as possible in the event we need to contact you.
  • If your child normally rides the bus but will be absent you may call the Transportation Department at 518-775-5788 to let them know so the driver can be notified not to stop.
  • Please avoid letting your child bring large objects on the bus.
  • Please avoid letting your child bring objects of value, for example; CD players, video game systems or cell phones on the bus. Understand that items can be lost.
  • Please understand that seating charts and bus discipline are the responsibility of the driver.
  • Use caution when driving on school grounds and obey the 15 MPH speed limit.
  • Be aware of school buses on the road and make sure to stop a safe distance from the bus when it is displaying flashing red lights. This includes in school bus zones.
  • If there are any concerns parents have about a situation on the school bus they should contact the Transportation Department as soon as possible.
  • If your child loses an item on the bus contact the Transportation Department and the driver will attempt to return that item to you. Each building has a lost and found if your child lost something and it isn’t on the bus. Items that are not claimed are donated to charity or disposed of. It helps to have the child’s name inside their backpack or lunchbox so their belongings can be returned promptly.
  • If your child attends an out-of-district school that is open when Gloversville Schools are closed, no transportation will be provided.
  • Changes in the location of your child’s pick up or drop off take a minimum of 48 hours. You fill out the paperwork at your child’s school where it is reviewed and sent to the Transportation Department and the driver will be notified.
  • Make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather. Buses can be cold in the winter even with the heat on.

Driver Roles

  • The driver will maintain order on the bus and be in charge of discipline. If there is a problem let the driver know immediately so it can be corrected.
  • The driver will assign seats and generate a seating chart.
  • The driver will maintain the bus and keep it clean. Please cooperate with your driver in this matter.
  • The driver will instruct and be in charge of conducting bus drills.
  • The driver has been instructed to use his or her discretion as to impassable roads caused by inclement weather.
  • When school bus drivers note a violation of the school bus safety rules the driver fills out the report stating the facts of the incident to the best of their knowledge, the report is then turned in to the Transportation Supervisor, who in turn sends it to the building principal who determines any further action to be taken. The bus driver does not make decisions about discipline.