Tips for Parents

As parents, you are an important part of a total safety program for children who travel by school bus. Children need to learn to be safe pedestrains as they walk to and from the bus as well as to be safe riders when they are on the bus. Here’s how we can help!

Getting ready for School

Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so they won’t drop things along the way.

Have them wear bright, contrasting colors so they will be more easily seen by drivers.

If there is no sidewalk, stay out of the street.

If you must walk in the street, walk in single file, face traffic and stay as close to the edge of the road as you can.

Stop and look left, right and then left again if you must cross the street. Do the same thing at driveways and alleys. Exaggerate your head turns and narrate your actions so your child knows you are looking left, right and left.

Waiting at the Bus Stop

Don’t let your child play running games or push and shove at the bus stop. It is too dangerous near traffic.

Make sure your child stands at least 10 feet ( 5 giant steps ) from the road while waiting for the bus. The child will then be out of the way of traffic. Have younger children practice taking 5 giant steps to become familiar with the 10 feet rule.

Make sure they leave home on time so they can walk to the bus stop and arrive before the bus is due. Running can be dangerous.

Walking to the Bus Stop

Go to the bus stop with a young child and have older children walk in groups. There is safety in numbers because groups are easier for drivers to see.

Don’t let pre-school children or pets go with your child to the bus stop. They can be in danger near traffic.

Practice good pedestrian behavior.

Walk on the sidewalks.

Getting on and off the Bus

Make children stay at least 10 feet away from the bus until they begin to enter. Children will then be able to see the driver and the driver can see them.

If the children must cross the street to the bus they should cross 10 feet (5 giant steps) in front of the bus where can see the driver and the driver can see them.

Have your child make eye contact with the bus driver before starting to cross the road, and the driver should motion the child across by an affirmative nod of the head.

Warn the children that, if they drop something, they should never pick it up. Instead, they should tell the driver and follow the driver’s instructions. If they bend over to pick up a dropped object, they might not be seen by the driver and could be hurt if the driver pulls away from the stop.

Remind children to look to the right before they step off the bus. Drivers in a hurry sometimes try to sneak by busses on the right.

Teach your children to secure loose drawstrings and other objects that may get caught in the handrail or door of the bus as they are exiting.

Give your child a note to be given to the secretary at the school if your child needs to get off at a stop other than the one assigned. The driver isn’t allowed to let a child off at another stop without written permission.

If you meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off. Not across the street. Children can be so excited at seeing you after school that they dash across the street and forget the safety rules.

Riding the Bus

Remind your children to be good bus riders. They should:

Quietly

Be courteous to the driver and follow the driver’s directions.

Keep the aisles clear.

Stay seated for the entire bus ride.

We want your children to be safe when they travel to and from school. As you help us with the above rules, we hope you will see that safety starts at home.

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