Skip To Main Content

Bus Safety Rules

School Bus Safety Rules

Student behavior on the bus is essential to the safety of all passengers. The following is an excerpt from the policies on transportation services, which have been approved by the Groveport Madison Local School Board of Education.

All rules listed below are consistent with school bus regulations developed by the State Department of Education in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These rules help ensure a safe and orderly environment on each bus for all students.

Students riding GMLS buses shall:

  • always obey and cooperate with the bus driver promptly and respectfully.
  • observe the GMLS “Student Code of Conduct” on the bus.
  • arrive at the bus stop 5 to 10 minutes before the bus is scheduled for arrival. Buses are on a time schedule and will not return for late students before or after school.
  • not behave at the bus stop in a manner which may threaten life, limb, or property of any individual.
  • leave or board buses at assigned locations unless they have parental AND administrative authorization to do otherwise.
  • when getting on or off the bus, cross the street or highway only when the driver has signaled that the way is clear. Students must remain visible to the driver at all times.
  • wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before attempting to get on the bus or before getting up from a seat to get off the bus.
  • go directly to an available or assigned seat – do not stand. Students may not change seats without the driver’s permission.
  • remain seated, keeping aisles and exits clear at all times.
  • not open or close the windows on the bus without the driver’s permission, and do not put any part of the body out of a bus window.
  • not use profane language, eat, drink, spit, nor litter on the bus.
  • not throw or pass objects on, from, nor into the bus.

Riding a District-provided school bus is a privilege, and when bus safety rules are not followed, students will may lose their privileges to ride a bus to and from school. A student may be suspended from school bus/vehicle riding privileges for all or part of a school year for any violation of established regulations for bus conduct and/or conduct occurring on the bus/vehicle in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

Before a suspension from bus/vehicle riding privileges is imposed, the Superintendent or other designated District personnel will provide a student with notice of an intended suspension and an opportunity to appear before the Superintendent or other designated personnel. Disciplinary suspension periods will be commensurate with the infraction(s) committed as determined by the Superintendent or designated personnel.