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Dan Lamarre
Dispatcher/Driver:
Sheila Godin
Dispatcher/Driver:
Stephanie Johnson
1142 Highland Avenue S Portland, ME 04016 Phone: 207-767-7714 Fax: 207-767-7715 Garage:207-767-4284

The South Portland Transportation Team
Student Transportation Standards
Dedicated to Safety

Did you know…?
A school bus is:
	172 times safer than your family automobile
	8 times safer than passenger trains
	4 times safer than transit buses
	4 times safer than inter-city buses
	8 times safer than scheduled airlines

BUS SAFETY

Twenty-three million students nationwide ride a school bus to and from school each day. Wherever you live, the familiar yellow school bus is one of the most common motor vehicles on the road. It is also the safest.

The South Portland School Transportation Department needs your help in making children aware of the Safety measures necessary both on and off buses. All students should understand the importance of the rules, both for regular transportation and Sport/Field trips. Please review with you child the following rules:

GETTING ON AND OFF THE BUS SAFELY

Because getting on and off the bus is the most dangerous part of the school bus ride, the loading and unloading area is called the “Danger Zone.” This area-which extends twelve feet in front of the bus, ten feet on each side of the bus, and twelve feet behind the bus-is where children are at greatest risk of not being seen by the bus driver.

Throughout the year, especially at the start of school, children need to be taught how to get on and of the school bus safely. Parents should help their children learn and follow these common-sense practices:

STUDENT CONDUCT TRANSPORTATION STANDARDS

MEETING THE BUS

Be at the bus stop five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled time. Stand back about 10 feet from the bus stop and wait until the door is open before loading.
If students miss the bus, they should not attempt to ride another bus, walk to or from school, or hitch hike.
Respect the property rights of others while waiting for the bus. Do not litter or make unnecessary noise. Do not gather under carports or porches, or on lawns without permission.
Line up at the stop; don't push and shove; wait for the bus to come to a full stop before approaching it.
Never throw snowballs or other objects at or around a bus.
Don't fight with or tease other students at the bus stop.
During winter months, students should never wait for the bus on snow piles near the road; they may slip under the bus or another vehicle.

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE BUS

While loading and/or unloading, enter or leave the bus orderly and quickly as directed by the driver.
If the student should arrive at the stop just as the bus approaches the stop, wait until the bus has come to a complete stop; cross 10 feet in front of the bus in clear view of the bus driver.
Students who must cross the road after leaving the bus in the afternoon must go to a point of the shoulder of the road 10 feet in front of the bus. Cross the road only after the driver has signaled the student to cross in front of the bus.
Before crossing in front of the bus, be sure you can see the driver and the driver can see you.
If a student drops any object while leaving the bus, do not attempt to retrieve the object until the bus has left the scene and the road is clear of vehicles.
Do not enter or leave the school bus by the back door except in case of an emergency or unless directed to do so by the driver.

RIDING THE BUS

While riding the bus, students are under the supervision of the driver at all times. The driver has the authority to assign a seat to a student.
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that they will not distract the driver or disturb other riders on the bus.
Students may not carry the following objects on school buses:
Glass
Knives or sharp objects
Pets or cages animals
Skis
Ski poles
Sleds
Chemicals of any nature
Large musical instruments
Snowboards
Skate boards
Firearms
Hand Tools or power tools
Engine parts
Balloons
Any item that could cause injury (This is at the drivers' discretion)

Students must keep pens, pencils, and other school materials inside their backpacks.

Students are not to deface the bus or any school property. They should not litter the floor of the bus, eat, or drink on the bus.
Students must not tamper with any of the safety devices, including door latches and fire extinguishers. They must stay seated until the driver directs them to get off the bus. Students are not to put their hands, arms, head or bodies out of the window, nor are they to yell at anyone outside the bus.
Students are to sit facing the front with their back up against the back of the seat and their feet directly in front of them. They must not get up from their seats and move while the bus is in motion.
Do not ask the bus driver to be let off at any place except your (the students') regular stop unless there is a note signed by the students' parents' directing otherwise.
Students must ride only the bus to which they are assigned. Visitors are not allowed to ride buses unless permission is first obtained from school officials.
Students are not to play radios, tape players, or band instruments while on the bus. Special arrangements may be made with the use of a walkman with headphones depending on the students' needs
The school bus is like a classroom and all school rules apply.
Keep the bus clean.
There is no smoking or any use of tobacco on the bus.
Keep the aisle clear of books, lunch boxes, musical instruments, etc.
No objects will be allowed which obstruct the driver's view of which interferes with a student(s) space, safety or comfort. All items should be held on the student's lap.
No harassment physical or verbal. No hitting or roughhousing. No teasing, name calling, or profanity.

Note: Clothing your children with drawstrings may not always be safe. Drawstrings can catch in playground equipment, fences, and school bus doors. Remove, shorten or replace drawstrings with another kind of fastener. In accordance with Federal voluntary recalls, South Portland School Deaprtment has retrofitted all school bus handrails that will not snag children's clothing.

If necessary, the bus driver can assign seats. Students are instructed in the proper use of seat belts and CSRS’s (child safety restraint system) during the course of the year, if the bus is equipped with them. Bus safety drills are also performed. To ensure everyone's safety, it is essential that distraction to the driver is kept to a minimum. Cooperation with the driver at all times will help make the ride better and safer for everyone. It is important to understand that riding the bus is a privilege and not a right. Students may be denied the privilege of riding the bus as a result of unacceptable behavior.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact the South Portland Transportation Department at (207) 767-7714 or the email link.

Note: Late buses run Monday through Thursday. They leave the High School at 3:40 PM and Memorial Middle School at 3:30 PM. in the winter and spring. Students riding the activity bus will have an activity pass signed by a teacher and show their student ID card to the driver.

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