The district will adopt a comprehensive school trip safety program that addresses bus safety, walking and biking route plans, vehicle access to the school, circulation and parking at the school, pedestrian circulation on and around the school campus and safety education and enforcement.

1. Safety Advisory Committee
   
   The superintendent will establish a Safety Advisory Committee (SAC) pursuant to WAC 392-151-017 to develop and maintain a comprehensive school trip safety program. The committee will also develop and maintain the school patrol program in compliance with RCW 46.61.385 and review and approve each school’s Safe Routes To School plan. The superintendent will develop specific responsibilities and reporting relationships of the committee, including how the SAC relates to individual school safety programs.
   
   
2. Bus Safety
   
   The superintendent will develop written rules establishing the procedures for bus safety and emergency exit drills and for student conduct while riding on buses. The procedures for bus safety will include rules restricting bus access to students and those persons authorized by the superintendent or their designee(s) to ride the bus to and from any school activity.
   
   The bus driver is responsible for the safety of their passengers, particularly for those who cross a roadway after leaving the bus. No bus driver will order or allow a student to disembark at other than their customary boarding or alighting place unless so authorized by school administrators. In order to assure the safety of all, the bus driver may hold students accountable for their conduct during the course of transportation and may recommend corrective action against a student. Bus drivers are expressly prohibited from using corporal punishment. Bus drivers are expressly prohibited from allowing anyone to board the bus who is not a student or person authorized to ride the bus by the superintendent or their designee(s).
   
   
3. Emergencies
   
   In the event of an accident or other emergency, the bus driver shall follow the emergency procedures in accordance with the School Bus Driver Handbook (SPI). A copy of the emergency procedures shall be located in each bus. To insure the success of such emergency procedures, each bus driver shall conduct an emergency evacuation drill within the first six weeks of each school semester. The district shall conduct such other drills and procedures as may be necessary.
   
   
4. Student Conduct on Buses
   
   The superintendent will establish written rules of conduct for students riding school buses. Such rules will include as a minimum the requirements of WAC 392-145-021 and will be reviewed annually by the superintendent and revised if necessary. If the rules are substantially revised, they will be submitted to the board for approval.
   
   At the beginning of each school year, a copy of the rules of conduct for students riding buses shall be provided to each student who is scheduled to ride a school bus. The classroom teacher and/or bus driver shall review the rules with the students at or near the beginning of each school year. A copy of the rules will be available upon request at the district office.
   
   
5. Safe Routes To School Plan
   
   Pursuant to WAC 392-151-025, all elementary schools that have students who walk to and from school are required to develop a suggested route plan.  All schools are encouraged to have a walking/biking route plan in place.  To develop the school walking/biking route plans, the superintendent will establish a Safe Routes to School committee.
   
   The committee will conduct a walking and biking audit within a one mile radius of the school and develop a Safe Routes To School walking/biking map or plan.  The plan will recommend the best routes for students walking to and from school, as well as the best routes to and from school bus stops.  In developing the plan, the committee will consider, at a minimum, the following:

1. traffic patterns;
2. existing traffic controls;
3. existing school patrols;
4. limits on the number of school crossings so that students have to move through the crossings in groups;
5. allowing only one entrance-exit from each block to and from school;
6. routes that provide the greatest physical separation between walking children and traffic;
7. routes that expose students to the lowest speeds and volumes of moving vehicles; and
8. routes that include the fewest number of road or rail crossings;

The superintendent or designee will review the plan with the Safety Advisory Committee and, upon its approval, distribute the plan to all students with instructions that it be taken home and discussed with parents. The plan will be routinely updated as conditions change.  The superintendent or designee will include the plan in the district’s School Wellness Plan to encourage parents and students who walk and bike to school to use the recommended routes.

Cross References:    
Board Policy 3241         Classroom Management, Corrective Actions of Punishment
Board Policy 6700         Nutrition and Physical Fitness

Legal References:         
RCW 28A.600.010         Enforcement of rules of conduct – Due process guarantees – Computation of days for short-term and long-term suspensions
RCW 46.61.385              School patrol – Appointment – Authority –Finance – Insurance
WAC 392-144                  School Bus Driver Qualifications
WAC 392-145-016         Rules for students riding school buses
WAC 392-145-021         General operating requirements
WAC 392-151-017         Safety advisory committee – Selection
WAC 392-151-025         Route plans
WAC 392-400-225         School district rules defining misconduct – Distribution of rules                                                                       

Management Resources: 
Policy & Legal News         Issue June 2014
The SRTS National partnership Local Policy Guide       

ADOPTED: 03/27/1997
REVISED: 04/23/98; 06/25/98; 03/23/06; 07/26/07; 03/28/13; 10/23/2014

Procedure No. 6605P  Student Safety Walking, Biking and Riding Buses to School

Student Conduct on Buses

Any misconduct by a student, which in the opinion of the bus driver or bus supervisor, is detrimental to the safe operation of the bus will be sufficient cause for the bus driver or supervisor to suspend the transportation privilege.

Rules of conduct for students riding buses

1. Students will obey the driver and any aide assigned to the bus by the district. The driver is in full charge of the bus and passengers and will be obeyed. If an aide is assigned to the bus by the district, they will be responsible for the safe operation of the bus. When transporting classes or teams, the teacher or coach will be primarily responsible for the behavior of the students. Students will obey both the driver and the teacher, coach or other staff member.
2. Students will ride only on their assigned bus unless written permission to do otherwise has been received by school officials.
3. Students will not be permitted to leave the bus except at their regular stop unless written permission to do otherwise is received by school officials.
4. Students assigned seats will use only that seat unless permission to change is authorized by the driver.
5. Students will observe rules of classroom conduct while riding on buses. Noise will be kept down to avoid distracting the driver. Students will refrain from the use of obscene language or gestures.
6. Students will not smoke or ignite lighters or matches on buses.
7. Students will not eat on buses, except when specifically authorized and supervised by an accompanying teacher, coach or other staff member. Buses will be kept clean.
8. Students will not open bus windows without the driver's permission.
9. Students will not extend any part of their body out of bus windows at any time.
10. Students will not carry or have in their possession items that can cause injury to passengers on the bus. Such items include, but are not limited to, sticks, breakable containers, weapons or firearms, straps or pins protruding from clothing, large, bulky items which cannot be held or placed between legs, etc. Books and personal belongings will be kept out of aisles.
11. Students will not have animals on buses, except one providing assistance to a disabled student.
12. Students will not sit in the driver's seat or to the immediate right or left of the driver.
13. Students will refrain from talking to the driver unless necessary.
14. Students will go directly to a seat once inside the bus and remain seated at all times unless the driver instructs otherwise.
15. Students will get on/off the bus in an orderly manner and shall obey the instructions of the driver or school safety patrolmen on duty. There will be no pushing and shoving when boarding or leaving the bus. Once off the bus, students will adhere to rules for pedestrians.
16. Students will never cross the roadway behind a bus unless they use pedestrian crosswalks or traffic lights.
17. Students will stand away from the roadway curb when any bus is approaching or leaving a stop.
18. Students going to and from their bus stops where there are no sidewalks will walk on the left-hand side of the roadway facing oncoming traffic. Students will go directly to their home after leaving the bus.
19. Students will use lap belts on buses when available.
20. Students will follow emergency exit drill procedures as prescribed by the driver.
21. Students will not tamper with emergency doors or equipment.
22. Students will remain quietly seated, not exhibit disruptive behavior and turn off all noise-making devices at highway rail grade crossings.
23. Parents of students identified as causing damage to buses will be charged with the cost of the incurred damage. Students causing the damage may be suspended from transportation.
24. Student misconduct will constitute sufficient reason for suspending transportation privileges.

 District Rules for School Bus Drivers 

1. Drivers of school buses have full responsibility for the safety of the students while they are getting on the bus, while they are on the bus and while they are leaving the bus and crossing the roadway. If students must cross the road, the driver must see that they cross safely.  The driver should see that students loading or alighting from the bus are within their view at all times.
2. The driver at all times must observe all driving regulations set forth in the laws of the state of Washington relating to the operation of motor vehicles.
3. Fast starts and sudden stops are prohibited. All students must be seated before the bus is put in motion.
4. Backing a school bus is prohibited unless an adult flagperson assists or an emergency exists. In the event of an emergency, backing of a bus will be permitted only when there is no danger to pedestrians or passengers.  Any deviation from this regulation will first be approved by an authorized school district administrator.
5. All school buses loaded or unloaded must stop at all railroad crossings unless otherwise posted. The driver must open the door to listen for approaching trains, and must not proceed until the door is closed and visibility is clear and the bus can proceed with safety.  The driver is not permitted to change gears while the bus is crossing the track.
6. No bus should stop on a curve or on a hill where visibility is not at least 500 feet. If it is impossible to secure this distance for bus stops, the school authorities and State Patrol must be advised.  The stop may be changed or proper signs installed.
7. No school bus will pull over to the left-hand side of the road to load or unload.
8. The stop sign on the left side of the bus will not be used to indicate that the bus is going to stop. The stop sign and red flashing lamps will be displayed at all times the school bus is receiving or discharging passengers, except:
   a.  When school passengers do not have to cross a highway and the bus is stopped completely off the roadway; or
   b.  When the bus is stopped at an intersection or place where traffic is controlled by a traffic officer or official traffic signal; or
   c.  When the bus is stopped at school for the purpose of receiving or discharging school passengers and school passengers are not required to cross the roadway.
9. Drivers should exercise courtesy to the drivers of other vehicles and obstruct the flow of traffic as little as possible consistent with safe operating practices.
10. All changes in direction of the school bus must be indicated by the use of the electrical directional signals on the rear and/or side of the bus. The right directional signal should be used to indicate that the bus is going to pull off the roadway.
11. No driver will go away from their bus while there are students aboard. When the bus has broken down, the driver must send an older student for help, or two students if they are younger students, unless the bus is empty and parked in a safe location.
12. The driver must not allow anyone to the left or right of them, in such a manner as to interfere with their vision or operation of the school bus. Only the driver will be permitted to operate the bus safety devices.
13. The driver will at no time allow a student or unauthorized person to operate the school bus, or will any person except the driver be allowed to sit in the driver’s seat.
14. No driver will leave the driver’s seat without first setting the brakes, shutting off the motor, placing the bus in gear and removing the ignition key from the lock. The keys must be kept in the driver’s possession.
15. No bus will be in motion with any of the exit doors open or partly open.
16. When it is necessary to overtake and pass a slow-moving vehicle, the driver must be sure that no third vehicle is drawing near. There must be a clearance of at least 800 feet.
17. All buses must slow down to ten miles per hour or less and give the proper signal before making a 90 degree right or left turn.
18. All school bus drivers must yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles and pull to the right-hand side of the road and come to a complete stop, with exit doors closed.
19. Drivers of school buses must stop all students from leaving the school bus or crossing the road, if in the act of loading or unloading the driver hears a siren, or sees a red light of an emergency vehicle approaching in any direction.
20. Each bus driver will be trained in the basic principles of first aid.
21. When students must cross the road after alighting from the school bus, it is the responsibility of the driver to see that students are within their view at all times and that they pass only in front of the bus and never behind the bus.
22. Bus drivers must pick up only the students and persons designated by the school authorities.
23. Unless by permission of school authorities, no student will be permitted to leave the bus except at their regular stop.
24. Drivers must not permit firearms or weapons of any kind on the bus.
25. Drivers must not permit any type of animal, insect or mammal except handicap service dogs.
26. The driver will maintain appropriate student behavior in compliance with established district procedures. Corporal punishment or inappropriate name calling is not permitted.
27. The driver will not put a student off the bus at any place except their boarding or alighting place except in cases of assault.
    a.  Assault: Inflicting bodily harm upon another person or intentionally creating in another a reasonable fear of being hurt. (Assault is unlawful RCW 9.11.019-030)
    b.  This rule will be enforced only when a student is inflicting or threatening to inflict bodily harm upon the driver and/or students, and the force used to remove the offender is no more than necessary.
28. Each driver must be thoroughly familiar with all rules and regulations pertaining to the operation and general provisions of school bus operation.
29. Drivers are not permitted to establish new stops. New stops or changes in stops are to be approved by the supervisor.
30. Any change in time of stops must be approved by the transportation supervisor.
31. Route sheets must be kept current. The transportation office will assist the driver in preparing the route sheet, but it is the driver’s responsibility to see that this is done and kept up-to-date at all times.
32. As public representatives of the district, drivers should dress appropriately with a view to safety and control of their student passengers. Being well groomed reflects pride in the organization.
33. A reliable watch will be carried by all drivers on duty and must be adjusted to the correct time daily.
34. When a driver is unable to report to work due to illness, the supervisor must be notified no later than 5:30 am the day of their regular run or no later, if possible, than 8:30 pm the night before.
35. Drivers must inform the office of any change in their address or phone numbers. All drivers should have and maintain a connected telephone in their home.
36. Speed limit in any parking lot is five mph and will be enforced.
37. Smoking by a driver is prohibited while transporting students, in the vicinity of students, during layover time, or on school buses.
38. The use of alcohol, stimulants, depressants or other drugs, either before reporting for duty or while on duty, is prohibited.
39. Spare buses will be assigned by the office personnel, mechanics or supervisor. Before using a spare bus, the driver will make a thorough inspection for cut seats and body damage.  The office must be notified if any damage is noted before the bus is used.  After the run is completed, the spare bus will be swept and refueled.  Air tanks on the spare bus will be drained, when applicable, upon parking after the end of a trip regardless of the time used.  The last driver will be held responsible for the above items.
40. Trip drivers are required to read the trip board and bulletin board daily.
41. Each driver may be held responsible for the daily cleanliness of their bus.
    a.  The bus will be swept daily, underneath seats weekly with seats tipped up.
    b.  The outside of the bus will be washed when necessary with more frequent attention to the rear of the bus.
42. Each driver is responsible for the daily pre-trip inspection in accordance with established procedures and the reporting of any problems.
43. Headlights must be used on all runs - interior lights must be used during hours of darkness when students are aboard.
44. All drivers are to report fuel and oil used on the appropriate form.
45. All drivers are required to complete and submit a daily log report and any other reports as requested.
46. Drivers must be willing and able to complete any transportation-connected job asked of them.
47. Drivers are expected to place the welfare and safety of their passengers first in importance and make every effort to observe common sense, safety rules and regulations.

Student Management
It is extremely important that drivers and administrators work closely, cooperatively and positively in resolving bus conduct problems, and that in all cases, temporary or permanent exclusions from transportation be exercised with careful forethought and due consideration. 

Driver Responsibilities

1. To enforce the rules and regulations adopted by the district for transported students.
2. To be reasonable, uniform and consistent in dealing with student behavior.
3. To inform parents of student misbehavior by personal contact and if necessary, issuance of a school bus behavior notice before reoccurring student behavior becomes serious.
4. To work cooperatively and positively with supervision in solving bus discipline problems.

Driver Authority
The driver is in full charge of the bus and students, which includes authority to:

1. Assign student seats.
2. Enforce adopted bus riding policies and regulations. 
3. Temporarily suspend riding privileges according to district policy.
4. Issue school bus behavior notices according to transportation/district policy.

Student Discipline Process
In the event it becomes necessary for a driver to discipline a student, the following procedures should occur:

1. Remember proper discipline is not a form of punishment but a means to instruct and help in correcting a student's behavior that is not in compliance with the rules and regulations set forth by transportation/district policy. Discipline should always be handled in a fair and just way and not performed with anger.
2. Always verbally try to work with the student in order to bring about acceptable behavior. Cite the problem, explain that what they are doing is unsafe and not acceptable and note the consequences if the problem continues.

Prior to Written Procedures:

If the student continues to misbehave, the driver will notify the parent/guardian of the problem, seeking their help in the matter.  This particular phone conversation will be documented noting the student’s behavior, time and date of the phone call, and response of the parent/guardian. Notification to the parent/guardian will be given, stating that if the student continues to misbehave, it would be necessary to issue a written behavior notice.  If in the event the driver is unable to reach a parent/guardian by phone, the driver may forward the completed behavior notice to the office for mailing. Under no circumstance will the driver make any contact or discuss any behavior or disciplinary action with a parent or guardian at a bus stop or while students are on board.

STEP 1
(First Incident) Notice and phone call to parent/guardian. 0-3 days exclusion from the bus

If a student continues to misbehave after being warned verbally and previous contact has been made either by phone or letter to the parent/guardian, the driver will then issue the first behavior notice, noting the infractions.  Bypass of first phone call is permissible if and only if the infraction dictates and has administrative approval. After returning to the transportation department, the driver is then required to check off all regulations that have been violated on the reverse side of the discipline form. Clearly state what the student did, then sign (entire name) and date the behavior notice and turn it in to the transportation office for processing.  After returning to garage, the driver is to follow up by phoning the parent/guardian regarding the behavior notice and document the date and time of the phone conversation in the (Official Use Only) box provided.  The parent/guardian will be informed that if the student continues to misbehave another behavior notice will be issued, resulting in a three to five (3-5) school day exclusion of bus riding privileges.

STEP 2
(Second Incident) Exclusion from bus three to five (3-5) school days.

Notice and Telephone Call to Parent/Guardian, Conference with Transportation Personnel, Driver, Parent/Guardian and Student - Requires administrative approval

If it becomes necessary for a second behavior notice, the driver will follow the same steps as in step 1.  Notify the parent/guardian by phone stating the infraction, that the student is being removed from the bus for three to five (3-5) school days, and that a conference will have to be held with parent/guardian and the student, along with the driver and the transportation department.  This is classified as a temporary exclusion from bus riding privileges and a letter will be sent home noting the infraction and that a conference is requested to try to resolve the problem.  The parent/guardian may sign the letter waiving the conference.

STEP 3
(Third Incident) Extended exclusion from bus:

(K-4: 6-10 school days)  (5-6: 10-15 school days)  (7-12: 20 school days – remainder of school year)

Notice and Telephone Call to Parent/Guardian - Requires administrative approval.

If after a student has been temporarily excluded from the bus and the student continues to misbehave, the student will be issued a third behavior notice stating that the student is placed on Extended Exclusion from all bus riding privileges.  The driver will also follow up with a telephone call to the parent/guardian stating the infraction and the terms of the exclusion.

Note: Length of the exclusion up to the remainder of the school year is based on grade level as stated above as well as the severity and frequency of the student’s history of infractions. Suspensions may be reduced at the discretion of the district administrators.

Emergency Exclusion from Bus
Please Note:  This is the only time a check mark is placed in the (Until Conference) box and can occur on either steps 1, 2 or 3.

In the event a student openly refuses to follow the driver’s direction (School Bus Rules/Regulations), the student will be removed from all buses until participating in a parent/guardian, student, driver and transportation personnel conference, providing the driver clearly stated to the student that the student had the choice either to  1) follow the driver’s directions, or 2) continue not to follow directions and be off the bus until conference.

Notice and Telephone Call to Parent/Guardian, Conference with Transportation Personnel, Driver, Parent/Guardian, and Student.  Notification on behavior notice may be noted with any of the steps as per past documentation.

The Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and the Transportation Director reserve the right to modify a student’s bus exclusion based upon factors such as, but not limited to, grade level, special needs and/or other mitigating circumstances.  

Removal of Past Behavior Notices
If a student maintains appropriate bus behavior and receives no further behavior notices within three (3) months of the last behavior notice, the most recent behavior notice will be removed.

Reminder:  After 3 months, the last behavior notice will be removed from the student’s record.  Example, if the student received a step 2 on October 10 and has had no other behavior problems until January 20, the student would receive a step 2 again.  Please be sure to check records prior to issuing behavior notices in order to report accurately the number of days excluded from bus.

Students Riding Buses on Field Trips or Extracurricular Trips
– Regulations and Procedures

1. Yelm Community Schools’ Rules for Students Riding Buses govern student behavior on field trips or extracurricular trips.
2. Teachers or other staff persons in charge of the group are responsible to help the driver enforce bus rules and maintain discipline.
3. The teacher and other adults accompanying a group of students should seat themselves in the best location for supervising students on the bus.
4. The bus driver’s primary responsibility is driving the bus on field trips - not maintaining discipline. However, the bus driver is responsible to call to the teacher’s attention any behavior which in the bus driver’s judgment endangers the safe operation of the bus or violates the Rules for Students Riding Buses. The teacher is expected to take appropriate action to correct such behavior.
5. In cases of accident or emergency affecting the safe operation of the bus, the driver has the decision-making responsibility. 

Disciplinary Procedures
The principal will provide supervision during bus arrival and departure times at their school and receive reports (written and verbal) from the drivers. The principal will ensure that students comply with the specified regulations. Principals must maintain open lines of communication among school officials, bus drivers and the transportation department.

When waiting for a bus, or going to and from a bus stop, students are responsible for conducting themselves according to the social and legal mores that apply to adults in public. That is, they must not abuse or cause damage to private or public property; they must not use obscene language or gestures; they must not engage in criminal activity. Failure to adhere to these mores may result in formal complaints by citizens which may be forwarded to principals for possible corrective action.

Students provided with transportation are responsible for complying with the district's rules of conduct for students riding buses. Failure to adhere to these rules, or abusive behavior toward the public, driver, fellow passengers or the vehicle constitutes justification for initiating corrective action against a student.

Abusive behavior on the part of a student riding a bus may result in a behavior notice when, in the opinion of the driver or bus supervisor, there has been an infraction of the rules applicable to student conduct. The behavior notice is the primary means by which a driver or bus supervisor communicates a student's conduct to the school and transportation department. This behavior notice, in most cases, reflects an infraction of rules which is repeated by the student after having received previous verbal warnings from the driver or bus supervisor. In order for drivers and bus supervisors to effectively maintain control on their buses, it is expected that action be exercised by principals when receiving such a report.

Drivers will be advised to file assault and battery charges against students who physically assault them. Under no circumstances will the driver retaliate in kind and physically assault the student as this conduct may subject them to legal action.  The driver may use minimum physical force to restrain assailant, if needed.

Appeal Procedures
The student or parent of a student who has been suspended from receiving transportation entitlements may appeal the decision by submitting a written statement to the superintendent. The superintendent or designee will render a decision after evaluating the issues, the facts involved, and the testimony of the parties.  The parent and student may appeal the decision of the superintendent or designee to the school board by presenting a letter to the superintendent within ten calendar days of the issuance of the decision. The school board will hear the matter at its next regular meeting or within 30 days, whichever is earlier. A closed meeting will be held for the purpose of considering the matter. All parties will have an opportunity to present exhibits and call witnesses. Opposing parties will be granted the right to cross-examine witnesses. After the hearing, the board will deliberate and render a decision within 10 calendar days. The board’s decision will be final. The bus exclusion will continue notwithstanding implementation of the appeal procedure unless the transportation department, superintendent or board elects to postpone such action.

Emergencies
The transportation director will review the contents of the School Bus Driver's Handbook with each driver prior to the beginning of each school year. A copy of the emergency procedures will be located in each bus. Each driver, in turn, is expected to follow the procedure as outlined in the handbook. At the start of each field trip or extracurricular trip, the school bus driver will review with all passengers the location and use of the emergency exits, emergency equipment and any district emergency procedures.

In the event of a collision or other emergency, the bus driver will follow the emergency procedures in accordance with the School Bus Driver Handbook (SPI). To insure the success of such emergency procedures, each bus driver will conduct an emergency evacuation drill within the first six weeks of each school semester. The district will conduct such other drills and procedures as may be necessary.

1.  Collisions 

In the event of a collision, it is essential that certain steps be taken immediately, especially if anyone has been injured.  Assuming that they are in physical condition to discharge these duties, the driver should:

1. Calm the students, if any, and ask an adult or older student to take charge of them. Keep them in the bus if it has not been badly damaged, is in a normal position, and is not in further danger.
2. Determine if anyone has been injured; if so, administer first aid.
3. Put reflectors in front of and in back of the bus as soon as possible. (This duty may be assigned to an older student.)
4. Notify school officials as soon as possible. School officials will notify a law enforcement officer, send for an ambulance if necessary, and send a district representative to the scene of the accident.  If unable to reach school officials, take immediate steps to notify a law enforcement officer.
5. No matter how minor the collision, obtain data necessary for making an accident report. Obtain names and addresses of witnesses, if any.
6. Do not talk to anyone regarding the collision, except to a law enforcement officer and then not in the presence of others.
7. Do not drive the bus from the scene of the collision until authorized by a law enforcement officer to do so or unless it is jeopardizing the safety of others.
8. Go the transportation department as soon as possible after the collision to make the report for the law enforcement agency and for the insurance company representing the district.

2.  Emergency Exit Drill Procedures

As directed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction resulting from the Interpretation of House Concurrent Resolution No. 34 by the State Advisory Committee on Pupil Transportation effective February 8, 1968, the minimum requirement is one actual emergency evacuation drill within the first six weeks of school each semester.  The first actual exit drill will be followed by at least one verbal review of the emergency exit drill prior to the second actual exit drill.  For schools on a trimester system, an actual emergency evacuation drill will be held within the first six weeks of school of each trimester and no verbal review is required.

At the start of each field trip or extracurricular trip, the school bus driver will review with all passengers the location and use of the emergency exits, emergency equipment and any district emergency procedures.

These practice drills are to be held on school property only.  Procedure for the drills is as follows:

1. Shut off motor, set hand brake, leave bus in gear and pull keys.
2. The driver will point out the location and explain the operation of emergency equipment as follows:
   
   i.  Instruct students on opening, closing and exiting from emergency exit doors and windows. The driver will personally supervise the exiting of students through the exit door with the assistance of older students or staff standing on each side of the door to assist students exiting the bus.  Persons assisting in the drills will offer a helping hand palm up and will avoid grasping a student’s hand or arm.
   During emergency exit drills, students will exit only through the rear exit or side emergency exit door.  In an actual emergency, they should be instructed to use any and all exit doors that are not blocked.
   Only those students whose participation in an exit drill poses a substantial difficulty to themselves or to other passengers will be excused and/or excluded from exit drill participation.  Students who are excluded from participation will be given oral instruction in bus safety and exit drills at least three times during the school year.
   ii.  Show students where fire extinguishers are located and instruct students on how to remove and operate the fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are not to be actually used during the emergency drill.
   iii.  Show students where first aid kits are located and advise them of the contents and proper use of medical supplies contained in these kits.
   iv.  Show students the location of emergency warning devices and advise them of the proper use of these devices.
   
   
3. In a real emergency situation, an older student will be sent to the telephone to call the bus garage or, if not during office hours, a law enforcement officer. The proper phone numbers for these organizations will be posted on the bus.
4. On completion of emergency exit drills, drivers will complete the official bus emergency exit drill report and file it in the transportation office.

ADOPTED:  03/24/1993
REVISED: 06/25/98; 05/24/07; 09/27/12; 10/23/14; 8/27/15