Transportation

San Mateo County Office of Education prides itself on fostering respect between student and driver and among students. Students are expected to adhere to Administrative Regulations while on the bus and to treat their classmates and the driver with respect. Most difficulties between driver and student are resolved privately through discussion. However, if the safety of the fellow students is jeopardized by failure to follow the rules, the Transportation Manager will decide whether suspension of riding privileges will be invoked.

The bus driver has the authority to recommend suspension of students for violating school bus rules. Typically students may be suspended for hitting and/or fighting. Citations are generally given for school bus infractions. A copy of the citations is given to the parent the teacher, and the Transportation Office so that problem behaviors on the bus can be monitored and addressed. The purpose of the citations is to inform parents and school staff of behaviors which may affect the safety of the bus ride. If the behavior is considered to be a danger to oneself or others, the student may be suspended from the bus, determined by the Transportation and Program Managers. The Transportation Office will verbally notify a parent of any suspension.

Student Rules of Conduct

• Students MUST wear seat belts and remain seated while the bus is in motion
• Follow instructions of your school bus driver
• Keep the bus clean and well cared for
• The exits and aisles are to remain clear at all times
• No part of the body (hand, arm, head, etc) may be extended outside the bus at any time
• Be calm and orderly while boarding the bus and enter and exit through the main door
• Loud talking, yelling, and horseplay distracts the driver and will not be tolerated. Except for emergencies, students should not talk to the driver when the bus is in motion
• Students are to stay seated, except when exiting the bus. Students must accept or change seats as directed by the driver
• Students are not to open or close window or emergency doors except as directed by the driver. All parts of the body and objects must be kept inside the bus at all times
• Except for pre-authorized service/guide dogs, no animals, birds, reptiles, fish or insects may be transported on a school bus, whether in containers or not.
• No knives or other sharp objects are allowed on a school bus
• No transportation of items that may obstruct the driver’s view (e.g. balloons)
• No transportation of items that cannot be securely restrained on the school bus
• Students are expected to be courteous and respectful to the driver, each other, and other motorists. Profanity, rude remarks, obscene gestures, etc, will not be tolerated
• Eating, drinking, chewing gum, spitting or littering are not allowed on the bus, nor are marking, destroying or tampering with the bus
• Throwing any objects in or out of the bus or at students will not be tolerated
• Unauthorized tampering with bus controls or equipment will not be tolerated
• No spraying of cologne or perfume on the bus at any time

Federal law prohibits the following items:

• Use of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol
• Possession of any type of weapon
• Glass objects

Adults Allowed in the Vehicle

With prior approval from the Transportation Manager, only parents/guardians of students that require assistance are allowed inside the bus.

Medication

Parents must have approval from the school prior to the bus driver's transporting medication. Medication, in a container labeled with the name of the student, the medication, the dosage, and the time to be administered, is to be presented to the driver by the parent when the child boards the bus. The driver will give the medication container to the teacher upon arrival at school.

Safety Equipment

Parents/guardians are responsible for providing car seats if needed for their child's transportation. Students who cannot sit safely secured by a seat belt due to the inability to sit upright by themselves, or who cannot remain seated for the duration of the bus ride, will be provided with appropriate safety equipment. The use of safety equipment must be indicated on a student's IEP. If equipment is lost, we will not transport the student until it is replaced. All safety equipment must be returned if it is no longer required or if the student no longer needs transportation services. All equipment should be properly equipped, clean and in good working condition.

Student Special Instructions

Special instructions can be requested by a parent/guardian (ie: no AM or PM bussing, or only rides T/F, etc.) and shall stay in place until parent/guardian notifies transportation to remove or change the special instructions. Please notify our office of any medical conditions/allergies that your child may have that would be helpful for the driver to be aware of.

Personal Property

The bus service assumes no responsibility for lost items, but every effort will be made to locate such items and return them to their rightful owner.

Wheelchair Policies

Any wheelchair with inadequate equipment will not be transported, at the driver's discretion for the safety of the student. Wheelchairs need to have seatbelts and footrests and must be equipped with functioning and properly maintained brakes that keep the wheelchair in place for a safe ride. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that all equipment is maintained and working properly. Velcro seat restraints do not meet the minimum state requirements and shall not be the sole source of seatbelt restraint.

Drivers shall inspect a new or different wheelchair as needed. Drivers who discover a defect on the wheelchair shall notify the parent/guardian immediately and the defective wheelchair shall not be used again until the defect is repaired.