Beliefs

It is our belief that we have the unique opportunity of being the first and last school officials to have contact with our students. The school bus is considered an extension of the classroom, and it is our mission to deliver our students to school in the state of mind to learn. Our drivers greet the students with a smile and wish them well as they are dropped off at home.Drivers are trained and encouraged to be mentors to the students. This is accomplished by always being fair, consistent, and firm.  

Route Information

  • Buses shall not be routed down a street or highway that does not afford a satisfactory turnaround or is otherwise unsafe for bus travel.
  • Buses are not to be routed on private property (this includes most mobile home parks).
  • School bus stops shall not be more frequent than one-tenth of a mile. The Director of Transportation may make an adjustment in bus stop location, if warranted, to eliminate unsafe or hazardous conditions.
  • School bus routes are established during the summer before school starts each year.
  • Routes will be adjusted as needed after school begins to make the routes effective and efficient.
  • Bus stops on the routes are not always the same as the previous year.
  • Safety of bus riders is always our greatest concern.

Motorists should:

  • Watch for children at bus stops and as they get on or off the bus.
  • Use special caution during school hours and obey school bus "Stop" arms.
  • Always watch for the unexpected.
  • Avoid School safety Zones where students Load and Unload

Parents should:

  • Make sure your child is at the bus stop five minutes early. Never be late. Haste increases the chance of accident.
  • Review bus safety rules with your child and stress the necessity of observing them.
  • The bus driver is an employee of the school system and merits the respect and courtesy due all school personnel. Teach your child to obey the bus driver.
  • Actively cooperate with school officials and school bus drivers regarding appropriate conduct of your child at the bus stop and on the bus.
  • Student behavior on school buses is considered an extension of classroom behavior. Students whose conduct affects their safety or the safety of others on board must receive careful attention. Parents play an important role in educating children on the rules of school bus safety.
  • Remind your child to walk on the shoulder of the road on the way to the bus stop, where possible, and not on the traveled portion of the road.
  • Remind your child to wait in a safe place, well off the road, until the bus comes to a stop.
  • Students should not move toward the bus until the bus and all traffic have stopped. Students should stop and look before crossing the road when preparing to board or depart the bus. It is very important to look - do not expect approaching traffic to stop.
  • Periodically remind your child of the importance of mannerly and orderly behavior at the bus stop. Periodically check on students at the bus stop.
  • Accompany very young children to the bus stop and meet them on their return from school when possible.

Bus Conduct Rules

  1.  Students should always conduct themselves in an orderly manner and obey all bus safety rules.
  2.  All students are under the jurisdiction of the driver while aboard each bus.
  3. The driver is responsible for seating arrangements on each bus.
  4. Students will remain seated while the bus is in motion.
  5. Students must refrain from loud talking, horseplay, throwing objects on or from the bus, or doing anything that will detract from the driver's attention.
  6. Anyone damaging a bus will be responsible for restitution.
  7. All parts of the body must be kept inside the bus at all times.
  8. Smoking, chewing gum, eating, or drinking on the bus is not permitted.
  9. It is the responsibility of the driver and each rider to help keep the bus clean.
  10. The use of profanity on the bus will not be allowed.
  11. Students will be picked up and delivered at their regular designated site each day. Written requests from the parent or guardian will be filed with the principal if it becomes necessary for a student to depart a bus other than at his/her regular stop. The principal will authorize the driver to make such a stop. Exceptions may be if a safety hazard is involved.
  12. Buses are provided for transporting students: therefore, large objects such as boxes, recreation equipment, large band instruments, etc., should not be on a bus.
  13. Students must refrain from inappropriate display of affection.
  14. Assignments to specific buses will be made by school authorities.
  15. Students are expected to abide by the Gordon County School System Student Conduct Behavior and Discipline Code.

Safety Guidelines

For the Parents

  • When you approach, meet or overtake a stopped school bus with red lights flashing and its stop arm extended you must stop your car, according to the state's School Bus Stopping Law. This is true whether you are on a roadway with painted lines, at an intersection or on a roadway with ridged, grooved dividers. The only exception is if you are traveling on the opposite side of a clearly divided and clearly separated highway
  • You must stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus.
  • Wait until the red lights have stopped flashing and the arm has been withdrawn before moving your car.
  • Do not move your car until all the children getting off the bus have reached a safe place.
  • Violation of the School Bus Stopping Law will result in the following penalties: a 60-day suspension of your driver's license, five points on your driving record and a $500 fine.
  • If you're not sure if you should stop -- stop.
  • If you continually end up getting behind a bus, consider altering your schedule by five minutes or so. "Getting behind a bus is not the most enjoyable ride, but it happens," said Geary Cooper, director of Transportation services at Gordon County Schools. "Once school starts and runs are established, buses follow a pretty exact schedule."
  • Remember to slow down to 15 mph when entering school zones and school bus stops. Failure to do so can result in fines and three points on your license.

For the Kids

  • Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before it's due.
  • Stay on the sidewalk when walking to the bus stop. If there isn't one, walk on the left side of the street, facing traffic.
  • Wait for the bus in a safe place, away from the road. Stay out of the street.
  • If you miss your bus ,do not chase it or try to get on at another stop, contact your parents and have them carry you to school that day.
  • Respect the property rights of the people whose houses are at or near the bus stop.
  • When the bus arrives, don't cross the street until the bus has come to a complete stop and the flashing red lights have been turned on. Just because the bus has stopped and its lights are on doesn't mean cars will stop for you. Look both ways before you cross the street. Cross at least 10 feet (or 10 giant steps) in front of the bus.
  • Let younger students get on the bus first.
  • Never try to get anything that rolls under the bus. Alert the bus driver instead.
  • Enter the bus in an orderly manner and take your seat. Be aware that some bus drivers may assign seats. Listen to the bus driver and follow his or her instructions. They have the same authority as a teacher in a classroom.
  • Keep you hands, head and feet inside at all times. Don't stick anything out the window. Stay in your seat.
  • Anything that distracts the driver's attention, such as loud talking or laughter, can result in an accident. Speak quietly. "Riders need to provide a quiet environment for the driver so they can concentrate on road conditions,"
  • Under no circumstance should students carry the following onto a school bus: live animals, weapons, drugs, alcohol or tobacco, flammable liquids like gasoline or fireworks. It's a bad idea to take anything too large to fit on the student's lap.
  • Don't tamper or vandalize the bus. Your parents will probably have to pay for repairs.
  • Keep the center aisle clear while the bus is moving. Put your backpacks or bags in front of you on the floor or on your lap.
  • Never, ever play with the emergency exits.
    • Failure to follow the rules could result in a disciplinary action that could, depending on the seriousness of the infraction, result in being prevented from riding the bus for the rest of the school year. Video cameras are regular equipment on all buses. Your misbehaving may be taped and used as evidence