Bus Procedures
School Bus Stop/Stakeholder Responsibility
We at Transportation appreciate all that every stakeholder does to help us in keeping the students safe, secure, and accounted for as they are transported to school and back home each day, or on field/activity trips.
With weather and time changes experienced in Park City we ask for help in reminding stakeholders of procedures at the bus stop and their part in keeping all students safe, secure, and accounted for. These procedures are in place at any time of the year and need to be observed.
District/Schools
- Ensure compliance with federal and state student transportation laws, regulations, and policies.
- This includes passenger safety and emergency evacuation drills.
- To provide supervision of loading and unloading areas at the school.
Transportation Director
- is in charge of daily transportation functions.
- The prime concern is safe, efficient, and economical transportation of students between home and school on a regular schedule and other destinations. Includes state reports for transportation funds.
School Bus Drivers/Attendants
- Operate the buses safely under all types of weather, traffic, and road conditions, while transporting students and should be familiar with and abide by all rules, policies, and procedures affecting student transportation.
- Instruct students on inappropriate behavior, consequences of improper behavior, general procedures, evacuation drills, and safe travel practices.
- Maintain order and safety and protect the rights of others in the school bus.
- As school bus approaches the bus stop they will activate the amber warning light system
- When stopped the red warning light system will be activated which means all traffic stops
- The parking brake will be set
- The driver will check traffic and mirrors to make sure all vehicles have stopped.
- The door will be opened which is the signal for students standing in line to safely enter/leave the school bus.
- The driver will watch to make sure all students are safe during this process and make sure they move to their assigned seat. For Preschool and Kindergarten, the driver will let the student off in the care of a parent, older sibling, or designated person. If such persons are not at the bus stop the driver will contact dispatch for assistance to contact the parent. If the dispatch is not available, the driver will keep the student on the bus and time permitting return them to their respective school. If time does not permit the student will be kept on the bus until routes are completed. The driver will bring the student back to the bus garage behind Jeremy Ranch Elementary where the parents can meet the bus as it arrives and receive their student(s). If the parents fail to arrive at the bus garage the County Sheriff Department will be contacted to take custody of the student(s)}.
- Once this is completed the driver will check bus mirrors, look to make sure all students are on board or 12 feet or more away from the bus in all directions, shut the door, put the bus in gear, release the parking brake, and move the bus.
The Parent/Guardian
For parents with Preschool or Kindergarten age students, or in the case of any student who lives a distance from the bus stop to meet the bus at the bus stop to receive their student(s). They should be there at least 5 minutes before the bus arrives. If they are not at the bus stop refer to the procedure as outlined under Driver Responsibilities.
- Understand and support federal, state, and district policies, regulations, and principles of school bus safety
- Assist children in understanding safety rules and encourage them to abide by them.
- Recognize their responsibilities for the actions of their children and they are responsible and accountable for the conduct and safety of their children prior to arrival and after the departure of the assigned school bus.
- To support safe riding practices, reasonable discipline efforts, and support all efforts to improve school bus safety.
- Teach children proper procedures for safety while boarding/leaving the bus
- If their student fails to be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus arrives and standing in line and is late to the bus stop it becomes the parent/guardian's responsibility to see the child gets to school.
Students
NOTE: If the bus is more than 10 minutes late, call Transportation at 435-645-5660 for assistance.
- Proper behavior to avoid bus driver distraction
- Responsible for their actions and behavior
- Respect the rights of others
- Observe the 12’ danger zone around the school bus
- Be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the bus arrives and stand in line.
- Do not wait in the car and then get out as the bus arrives.
- This can be the most dangerous choice since:
- It is dark; some motorists don’t stop for the bus
- Objects and people can be difficult to see
- Headlights of vehicles may blind other drivers
- Upon entering/leaving the school bus, the student will move to and sit in their assigned seat.
Bus Procedures
The safety and security of the students in Park City School District are always of the utmost importance, and in their best interest please observe the following at the bus stop and at school.
Code of Conduct for Riding the School Bus Rules
Riding the school bus is a privilege. These rules are posted on all district school buses, and on the district website. A copy is provided in each student’s registration packet.
At the Bus Stop
Students should be standing at the bus stop, not in the car, and in line at least 5 minutes before the school bus arrives. This is for the safety of all students on the route.
Students, grades K-12 will have an assigned seat to sit in daily. This will help keep the bus a safe place to be. The student is responsible for the seat in which they sit. They need to tell the bus driver if something happens or is happening.
If a student is habitually late, they will be verbally reminded to be on time. If this persists, then a student conduct report may be issued.
Once the student is on board the school bus, they will be transported to the school. Students will not be allowed to leave the bus and return home. For example, if they become ill or have left something for school at home, they may inform their school bus driver. The driver will then contact the transportation dispatcher, who will get the school/home and inform the school/parent of the situation.
There will be times that a school bus is late. This can depend on several factors. If the school bus is more than 10 minutes late, please contact the Transportation Department at 645-5660. Information will be provided on when the bus should arrive.
At the School Loading Zone
Once a student is on board a school bus, he/she will be expected to ride the bus to their stop. If a parent or person approaches the bus driver at the school and asks for a student to leave the bus, for the safety and security of the student, the driver will contact the dispatcher who in turn will contact the school and ask for an administrator to come to the bus.
If the administrator authorizes the release of the student to the parent/person making the request, it will be granted.
If a parent would like his/her student to go with them after school, it is recommended that they call the school ahead of time. This way the school can notify the student ahead of time so they can meet their parent instead of getting on the bus.
Students cannot get on a bus at PCHS or TMJH at 2:25 pm when school is dismissed and ride to the other school and get off for their activity. They need to find their own way.
For students at all district schools who ride the bus home will need to be on their bus and in their seats prior to departure time for their school. At the departure time, the bus doors will close and the buses will leave. No buses will be stopping after that time to load latecomers. The dangers associated with this are too high. Students running after buses, on and off district property present too many dangers and consequences. Once the doors are closed and the buses are preparing to leave the doors will not be opened again until at the first stop.
If a student misses the bus they will need to return to the school office and make arrangements for a way home.
The buses for PCHS/TMJH students will depart at 2:31 pm Monday-Thursday and 11:37 am on Friday
Notes to Ride Another Bus
A note from a parent to a bus driver or school asking that their child be allowed to ride another bus is not allowed. Students are expected to ride their own bus to their respective bus stop which is closest to their house address.
Parents may contact Transportation at 645- 5660 for serious emergencies and possible authorization.
Written Request for Temporary Change of Bus Service
A parent must turn in a Request for Transportation Change Form to the Transportation Department no later than three (3) days prior to when the parent will be out of town for a change of stop for their student(s). This allows the necessary time to verify if there is available space on the bus change requested for that date. This is only for those students who are currently riding a bus on a daily basis. The form may be obtained from the Transportation Department, or on the District website. Emergencies are handled at the discretion of the Director of Transportation.
Items on the School Bus
Students are permitted to carry only objects that fit and can be held on one’s lap.
Parents need to transport larger items to school/home. School class projects, large musical instruments, lacrosse sticks, skis, snowboards, roller blades, skateboards, and large athletic equipment/bags are some examples of larger items that would fit in this category.