Quick Facts
- It is important that both students and parents know and understand safe school bus loading and unloading procedures.
- Please review the below safety tips and discuss them with your student prior to the start of the school year.
- We appreciate your partnership in sharing this important information with your student.
Full Message/Details
Dear Families,
I hope you are well. I am writing to share with you important school bus safety information prior to the start of the new school year.
The Transportation Department believes that the school bus ride is an important part of each student’s day. We also believe that our department plays an integral part in supporting the learning successes of each student. We remain focused on the safety and security of each rider.
Please read the school transportation safety information below.
School buses are the safest vehicles on the road. These highly regulated vehicles are designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries. Virginia law mandates that traffic stop for a stopped bus with flashing lights and the stop sign extended. Students are at the greatest risk of injury when they are either approaching a school bus or leaving a school bus.
It is important that both students and parents know and understand safe loading and unloading procedures. It is also important that you teach your children other safety procedures that revolve around school transportation processes.
Listed below are safety tips which parents should review and discuss with their children:
- Review all school bus safety rules:
https://hcps.us/departments/transportation/school_bus_safety
- Visit the bus stop with your child. Explain the safest route to take to the bus stop. Explain where to wait, exactly how far from the roadway your student should stand and to notice and report any unsafe situation.
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Children through grade 2 should always be accompanied by a parent or adult designee to and from the bus stop. Pre-k through 2nd grade students who are not met by an adult at the bus stop will be taken back to school.
- Know the bus driver’s name and bus route number.
- Encourage your child to be courteous to their bus driver and fellow passengers.
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Please instruct your child to always adhere to the following:
- Students must arrive at the bus stop five minutes prior to the designated bus pickup time and wait in a safe and orderly manner out of the roadway.
- Students must stop, look, and listen for possible dangers prior to approaching or exiting a school bus.
- Students must not approach the bus until it has come to a complete stop.
- Students should never run towards, behind, away from or after a stopped or moving school bus. Students should walk while cautiously observing the environment around them.
- Students must enter and leave the bus or car in an orderly manner in view of the driver. If they must cross the road, they must do so in front of the vehicle, never behind it. The driver will give an appropriate hand motion to students when it is safe to do so.
- Students should use the handrail when entering and exiting the school bus.
- Students are to remain seated facing the front of the school bus while it is in motion.
- No student shall at any time extend head, hands, arms, or throw items out of the windows whether the vehicle is in motion or standing still.
- Aisles in the bus must be kept clear. Personal belongings must be held on the student’s lap.
- Students must alert an adult when you have dropped an item around any vehicle, including a school bus.
- Students should remain 10 steps away from the bus to be out of the “Danger Zone” and where the driver can see you.
- Students should cross the street in front of the bus. Never go behind the bus.
Thank you for your attention to these important safety guidelines and for reinforcing them with your child. Working together, we can ensure that every student’s journey to and from school is safe, secure, and a positive start and end to their day.
We appreciate your partnership and look forward to a safe and successful school year.
Sincerely,
Adrian Frierson
Director of Transportation
Hanover County Public Schools