Transportation of Pupils: Guidelines for Students & Parents


The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario considers the safety and conduct of students to be of utmost importance.  We ask that students, parents, teachers, principals, operators, and drivers use this booklet to assist our common goal of a safe transportation system.

Guidelines for Parents/Guardians
Parents/Guardians can assist in our efforts to maintain high standards of safety and acceptable student behaviour on school buses by adhering to the following informative guidelines:

• School bus transportation is a privilege, not a right.

• The Board can only provide one space per child.  The Board cannot provide spaces on two different bus routes for the same child.

• School bus drivers can only pick up and drop off riders at an authorized regular daily stop for a home, caregiver or school address. Drivers cannot make changes to stops without authorization from the Transportation Department.

• Transportation for non-school related functions is your responsibility. Only those students eligible for transportation are entitled to ride a bus that has been assigned to them.  The Board cannot provide transportation for special events such as birthday parties, sleepovers, a homework project, to complete community service hours or for a job.  These requests cannot be permitted for safety reasons.

• It is your responsibility to determine whether or not it is safe for your child to leave for school under severe weather or other difficult conditions. When buses are cancelled due to inclement weather but the school remains open, it is your responsibility to either arrange transportation or keep your child at home or with a caregiver.

• Please listen to the radio station serving your area when inclement weather has been forecasted, to receive information regarding the cancellation of bus transportation.

• Please ensure that your child is at the bus stop 5 minutes prior to the arrival of the bus.  Drivers cannot wait for children to arrive at their bus stop.

• Remember that you are responsible for your child’s safety and conduct prior to boarding the bus and following drop off at a designated stop. This includes walking or driving your child to and from the bus stop. In the case of the JK-SK students or in a special situation that has been approved by the school, Transportation Department and Bus Contractor, a trusted responsible person must accompany your child to and from the bus stop.  If no one meets the child at the bus stop, drivers are directed to take the child back to school or to the proper authorities. It is a parental responsibility to ensure that children arrive home safely.

• Parents can ensure that the Purple Band, provided by the school is securely attached to the handle of their child’s backpack to enable drivers to quickly identify the junior and senior kindergarten students.

• Please co-operate with your school principal and bus driver.

• Objects that may interfere with student or vehicle safety cannot be permitted on the school bus.

• Always be aware of the bus operator, route number, stop location and pick up and drop off time for your child.

• Ensure that you meet your child on the same side of the street where he/she leaves the school bus.

• Do not stop, delay or board the bus when the bus driver is transporting students to and from school.

• Notify the school as soon as possible of any changes to your address, babysitter, telephone, etc.

• Notify the school if your child is prone to severe allergies and/or life-threatening reactions.

• Ensure that your child has his/her belongings packed in a secure school bag.

• Ensure that clothing toggles and drawstrings are not left dangling, as they can become snagged on school bus handrails, doors or other mechanical equipment.  Incidents of snagged toggles or drawstrings have resulted in injuries.

• Regularly advise and explain to your child the safety rules for riding on the school bus.

Responsibilities of Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of Children Requiring Special Needs Transportation

• Know your child’s specialized vehicle number and driver’s name.

• Have your child ready for pick-up at the same time each day.  If the specialized vehicle is delayed, all students will be late for school.  If your child is regularly late, the driver will make a report which will be given to the school principal.

• Realize that your child must behave appropriately while on the specialized vehicle as per this booklet.

• Assist your child from the place of residence to the vehicle and on return from school assist your child from the vehicle to the place of residence.

• Impress upon your child the need for good safety practices, including the use of the seat belt at all times when in the vehicle, and to remain in the seat that is assigned to them.

• Place names on articles that belong to your child, such as lunch boxes, hats, mittens, scarves etc. to avoid loss.

• Be aware of the procedures followed in cases of storms or emergencies and to make the appropriate arrangements for supervision, should your child be brought home earlier than normal.

Rules for Getting on the Bus Safely

• Be at the stop on time.  Never run to or from the bus.

• Wait at your designated stop in a safe place, back from the side of the road.

  Remember never to stand in the danger zone that surrounds the bus. The danger zone is anywhere close enough for you to touch the bus.  The bus driver cannot see you when you are in the danger zone.

• If you need to cross the street to get on the bus, always wait until the bus has come to a complete stop.  The bus driver will ensure that all of the traffic stops.  Look for the stop arm to come out and for the flashing red lights. Watch the driver. When the driver knows it is safe, he or she will signal for you to cross the street - but continue to watch for traffic yourself. Always walk, don’t run.

• Hold the handrail as you get on the bus.  Do not push or shove.

• Take your seat promptly and sit properly, facing forward at all times.

• Place bags and parcels under your seat or on your lap.

• Keep the aisle of the bus clear at all times.

• Always keep your head, hands and arms inside the bus.

• Never throw objects inside or outside of the bus.

• Talk quietly. The driver needs to concentrate to safely drive the bus.

• Never fight, shout, or use obscene language at any time.

• Be absolutely quiet when approaching a railroad crossing.

• Participate in all bus evacuation procedures.

• Do not bring dangerous, disturbing or annoying objects onto the bus.

• Eating and drinking is not allowed on school buses at any time. This rule protects students/staff that have food allergies and anaphylaxis, prevents choking and maintains bus cleanliness.

• No smoking.

• Always follow the bus driver’s instructions.

Rules for Leaving the Bus Safely

• Remain in the seat until the bus comes to a complete stop.

• When you leave the bus, hold the handrail and take two large steps away from the bus.

• To cross the street in front of the bus, walk ahead at least ten giant steps (three metres).  Cross only when the driver gives a signal.  Proceed across the street, looking both ways for on-coming traffic.

• Cross the street in single file.

• If you drop something near the bus, don’t pick it up.  Tell an adult.

• If everyone is getting off the bus, the people at the front leave first.  Do not push.

Transporting Articles on the School Bus

• For safety reasons, only certain equipment is allowed on scheduled buses.

• Skates, skate boards, roller blades and sports balls must be carried in a sports bag.

• Sports bags must be kept on the floor at the student’s feet.

• Music equipment must be transported in a case and should be kept on the student’s lap whenever possible.

• Approval must be granted in advance between the principal (or designate) and bus operator to transport skis, poles, skate boards, hockey equipment and program related items such as large musical instruments.

• Dangerous objects are not permitted on the school bus.

• Animals are not permitted on the bus.

In case of dispute, the final decision as to what may or may not be transported rests with the bus operator.

• Leave yourself some extra time in the morning to get to the bus.

• Dress appropriately for winter conditions.

• Stand away from where the bus stops.  Buses require extra space to stop when there is ice and snow.

• Don’t throw snowballs at the bus.

• Don’t slide on ice or snow while waiting for the bus.

• Don’t push or shove near the bus stop. Someone could slip on the ice.

• Riding on a school bus is a privilege, not a right.  Improper conduct shall result in the withdrawal of this privilege.

• School buses under contract with the Board are considered to be an extension of the school system. Consequently, the disciplinary standards set by your school and the Board will apply to all vehicle passengers.

• Students whose behaviour endangers the safety or interferes with the comfort of others may have their riding privileges revoked.

• Students are responsible to the school principal for their behaviour on the school bus.  The bus driver acts on behalf of the principal. Students will obey instructions from the driver.  Compensation for damage or destruction of Board property by a student is the responsibility of the student and parent. This also applies to school buses.

Process of Disciplinary Action:

First Incident
The driver reports the student to the principal in writing, stating the concerns or issues. The principal communicates with the parent.  Major incidents may result in immediate withdrawal of bus privileges.

Second Incident
The driver reports the student to the principal in writing, stating the reasons. The principal may withdraw the student’s transportation privileges for up to three (3) days. The principal also communicates with parent.

Further Incidents
The driver reports the student to the principal in writing, stating the reasons.  The principal may remove busing privileges for a period of time not to exceed five (5) days.  The principal also notifies the School Superintendent and parents.

Major Incidents
The driver reports the student to the principal in writing, stating the reasons.  The student shall have transportation privileges withdrawn for an extended period of time (up to the balance of the school year).  This will be determined in consultation with the School Superintendent and the Manager of Transportation. The principal communicates with the parents.

Any incident considered a serious threat to bus or student security shall result in consequences in accordance with the School Board’s “Safe Schools Policy”.

Video Cameras on School Buses
Video cameras on school buses may be used to promote good behaviour, aid in driver training and to assist in promoting good driver/student relationships.