School Bus Rules & Consequences

The school makes every effort to transport students by school bus to school activities.  Sometimes it is necessary to have parents assist in transporting students to events or take students home.  Parents must have on file, in the office, information regarding their up-to-date auto insurance policy, copy of drivers license and DMV driving record in order to transport any students, including their own.  School Driver Certification Forms are available in the school office.  Seat belts are required for each passenger.  Emergency medical cards for each student and first aid kits are taken along.

Private Vehicle Transportation Form

GESD is utilizing camera video and audio surveillance on your student’s school bus. This action is being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff, and to reduce vandalism and theft, pursuant to Board Policy 3515.1. The District will not be continuously monitoring the camera surveillance but will periodically review the recordings. The recordings may be used in disciplinary proceedings, and matters captured by the camera may be referred to local law enforcement, as appropriate.

To the extent that any images from the District's surveillance system create a student or personnel record, the Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the images are accessed, retained, and disclosed in accordance with law, Board policy, administrative regulation, and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

When walking to and from designated bus stops, students should be respectful of other people's property. Students are to:

• Walk off the roadway or as close to the edge of the roadway as possible

• Check traffic carefully before crossing any roadway

• Go directly to their designated school bus stop or home

• Wait for the bus driver to escort them across the street 

• Not cause any destruction of private property.

Some accidents are indirectly caused by students who distract the bus driver. Good student behavior while entering, riding, or exiting the bus contributes in many ways to safe transportation. Such conduct makes it possible for the driver to give full attention to the safe operation of the bus and hold those conditions that might cause pupils to be injured to a minimum.

Fighting on the bus, any movement out of the seats, excessive noise and boisterous conduct are examples of things that are distracting to the driver. It is the students' responsibility to have good behavior on the bus. If they practice good behavior, it will make the ride on the bus safer for everyone.

Parents are expected to have their children ready on time and to inform them that they are to maintain good behavior at the bus stop as well as on the bus. Inappropriate behavior can result in suspension of bus riding privileges.

TK and Kindergarten students will not be released at the bus stop without supervision unless a written request is made stating otherwise. Should there be no authorized person at the bus stop to meet the child the driver will return the child to the school.

An open line of communication must be maintained between parent, school authorities, and the transportation department so that when problems do develop, parents are aware of them.

• Live Animals, Reptiles and Insects

• Alcoholic Beverages

• Guns, Knives or Weapons of any kind

• Ammunition of any kind

• Glass Objects

• Tobacco or vape devices

• Balloons

• Lighters and /or Matches

• Skateboards

• Objects that are too large or bulky

• Sharp Objects

Between routes, at the completion of a route/run and before departing the school bus at a staging location/ bus terminal the driver must deactivate the child safety alert system (VC 28160). The driver will thoroughly check the school bus for students, personal items and trash

In accordance with Section 39831.5 of the Education Code, all students in TK through 12th grade who attend public or private school, who are transported in a school bus or school pupil activity bus, shall receive instruction in school bus emergency procedures and passenger safety.  

This includes, but is not limited to, loading and unloading procedures; passenger conduct; conduct at the school bus stop; safe road crossings, emergency evacuations, location of emergency equipment; and passenger restraint systems (if applicable).

Each school year all students who ride the school bus will, practice an emergency evacuation drill (ED 39831.5).

• 2023-24 Bus Schedule

• No SAFE Double Bus Schedule Full Day

• Breceda Lane South End Map

• Campbell Yellow Hammer Rd Map

• Holcomb Rd Map

• Woodland Drive Map

• Fairgrounds Map by the Office

• School Bus Safety Zone

GESD Transportation Plan 2024- 2027 - See below for more information.

Safe school transportation is considered an integral part of the total educational program. Riding a school bus is a privilege not mandated by the California State Law. The primary purpose of school buses is to safely transport students from home to school and return. We recognize that a safe school bus operation is only possible with the full cooperation of our parents, students, and school staff. A copy of the School Bus Safety Plan is available upon request in the office.

Permission to ride the school bus can be taken away anytime for disruptive or unsatisfactory behavior. All students being transported are under the authority of the bus driver and must obey his/her requests. The school will give drivers full support in all situations. Written permission is required if students diverge from their normal routine.

Below you will find information on school bus rules, proper behavior at the bus stop, while on board the bus and while traveling to the bus stop, and the approved bus stop locations with morning bus departure times and approximate afternoon drop off times. This information is being provided to you in accordance with California Educational Code. Even though your child may not ride the school bus to or from school, this information is also important should your child go on an activity trip with his/her class.

School bus transportation is the safest form of pupil transportation. Through the combined efforts of this department, the school staff, the students and parents, we will continue to make your child's transportation to and from school a safe and an enjoyable ride.

To make our transportation system as safe as possible, it is mandatory for all students to comply with the following rules and regulations that were established by the GESD Board according to State regulations. The parent or guardian will be held responsible for the cost of repair or replacement of any damaged district property, plus any reward offered for information leading to the identification of the student or person that caused the damage.

Please discuss the following basic rules concerning school bus behavior with your child so that they may cooperate in providing a safe ride for all.

Bus Contract

School Bus Rules & Consequences

Bus Rules

1. Only normal conversation is allowed in the bus. Rude, discourteous and annoying conduct is prohibited at all times.

2. Nothing is to be put out of the bus windows at any time. Objects are not to be thrown in to, out of or at the bus.

3. Students are to remain seated while the bus is in motion. The aisles are to remain clear and everyone is to face forward while sitting in the seats. If the bus seats are equipped with passenger restraint systems (seat belts), they must be worn.

4. Preparation for boarding and departing from the bus will take place after the bus has come to a complete stop and the door is opened.

5. Emergency doors are to be used only for intended purposes. Students must keep their hands off emergency equipment as this is to be used in case of an accident or emergency.

6. Physical contact such as slapping, hitting, poking, shoving, pulling hair, etc. in the bus or while at the bus stop is unacceptable.

7. Glass articles, of any kind are no allowed on the bus.

8. Animals, reptiles or insects of any kind are prohibited.

9. All students who must cross the street on which the bus is stopped, must cross in front of the bus with the bus driver.

10. Eating, drinking, and chewing gum is not permitted on the bus.

11. All students will refrain from using profane language, vulgar gestures, taunting and teasing, etc.

12. Damage to or defacing the bus is prohibited.

13. Students must not tamper with bus controls at any time.

14. Spitting is prohibited at all times.

15. Students are to ride the bus to/from their designated bus stop only.

16. Students are to give accurate identification when requested by the driver.

17. Tobacco, lighters, vape devices and/or matches are not allowed on the bus.

18. Electronic devices are to be used with headphones and for texting, music, and web browsing only. Picture taking or disruptive volumes or sharing is not allowed. The School District is not responsible for lost, damaged or missing property.

19. Any behavior that endangers the life or limb of riders or the driver, or that creates an unsafe condition will not be tolerated.

20. The bus driver is in charge of the bus and all students will show proper respect to the driver of the bus. The bus driver may designate where students must sit on the bus.

To become a school bus driver in the State of California, one must receive extensive training in the laws and regulations regarding school pupil transportation, defensive driving techniques, emergency procedure, first aid, and many hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. In addition, the driver must receive training every year in matters pertaining to school pupil safety. California's school bus drivers are among the best-trained drivers in the country. GESD buses are compliant with CCR 1294.

Even though the school bus driver is highly trained, students are responsible to demonstrate safe riding behavior. Students will be required to wear their seatbelt if the bus is so equipped (5 CCR 14105). Student misconduct can create an unsafe ride for all students on board the bus. Please review the enclosed information on school bus safety rules and behavior with your child/children. Proper behavior while traveling to and while at the bus stop is also expected.

The GESD Board has adopted procedures to help enforce the rules and ensure proper conduct on the bus and while at the bus stop. All students on board the bus are under the authority of and directly responsible to the bus driver. If a student fails to follow the rules, the driver will issue a bus referral to the student. The following system is used when referrals are issued:

1st referral: A copy is sent home with the student to notify the parent that there has been unacceptable behavior. The original is mailed home with a letter of warning and a copy of the bus rules. The original must be signed by the parent and returned to the bus driver.

2nd referral: A second referral will result in a denial of transportation privileges of 3 to 10 days. A copy is sent home with the student to notify the parent that there has been a second occurrence of unacceptable behavior. The original is mailed home with a letter explaining the dates and duration of the student's denial of transportation privileges. The original is to be signed by the parent and returned to the bus driver.

3rd referral: A third referral will result in a denial of transportation privileges for the remainder of the school year. A copy is sent home with the student to once again notify the parent of unacceptable behavior. The original is mailed home with a letter explaining the beginning date of the student's denial of transportation privileges.

Denial of transportation privileges can occur at any time, depending upon the severity of the offense committed by the student.

GESD offers General Education transportation to eligible students living within the transportation zone established at each school. .

GESD does not charge for transportation and this service will continue to be offered free of charge.

A completed Transportation Rider Request form is required in order for your child to ride the bus. Please complete the form Transportation Request Form.

We require students be at the AM bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. If the bus arrives early, the driver will wait until the assigned time before departing.

In the afternoon, buses depart each school 7 minutes after the dismissal bell. Please have your student plan accordingly.

Student conduct at the bus stop should be the same as required on the school grounds. Actions such as littering, spitting, throwing any object, vandalism, pushing, shoving, and harassment of others will not be tolerated. Student misconduct at the bus stop will be dealt with in the same manner as misconduct on the school bus. A list of the Bus Rules and Regulations is included with this letter .

Loading

Students are required to be at the bus stop five minutes before the bus arrives at the stop so there is no danger of them running to catch the bus. Students should be lined up in a single file line and ready to board when they see the bus approaching. Students should wait until the driver sets the parking brake and opens the door before moving towards the bus.

If a student is approaching the bus stop and sees the bus already at the stop, he/she should not run to the stop. If the driver sees a student walking towards the bus, he/she will wait for them. If a student is on the opposite side of the street, he/she must wait there until the driver activates the red crossover lights, exits the bus, is in the proper position for escorting the pupil across the street and has given the student direction to cross the street. Students must cross the street between the driver and the front of the bus.

If a student is walking to a bus stop, but is too far away for the driver to see him/her, and/or is seen after the bus leaves the bus stop, the driver cannot stop and pick up the student. The bus can only stop at designated bus stops.

Unloading

When the bus reaches the bus stop, the student(s) must remain seated until the bus has come to a full stop, the parking brake is set, the door is opened and the students are given the signal from the driver that it is safe to exit the bus. Students are to walk directly away from the bus and should not loiter around the bus stop area.

When there are students who must cross the street, there are certain procedures the law requires the driver and the student to follow. The bus driver is required to do a "red light crossing" and escort all students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. Students will follow the driver off the bus and must wait on the sidewalk or side of the roadway until the driver instructs them to cross the street. Students are to cross between the front of the bus and the driver. It is important for them to walk and not run. Go directly across the street to the other side and do not stand in the street. It is the driver's responsibility to see that all students have completely and safely crossed the street.

Statistics show that most injuries and accidents happen during the loading and unloading of the school bus. Children need to know that there is a "Danger Zone" around the bus where the driver cannot see them in their mirrors. This "Danger Zone" is twelve feet wide and completely surrounds all sides of the bus. When the students know and follow the safe loading and unloading procedures they will create a much safer bus stop environment for all students and the bus driver.