Dispatch hours 5:30 AM - 7:30 PM
School Bus Guidelines
We believe all students can behave appropriately and safely while riding on a school bus. We will not tolerate a student stopping a bus operator from doing their job or preventing other students from having safe transportation. The District makes the following commitments:
To ensure the safe travel of their students during the portions of each trip to and from school and home when the students are not under the custody and control of the school district, including during each trip to and from home and the assigned bus stop when the school district provides bus transportation.
To ensure that students ride only in their assigned school buses and get off only at assigned bus stops, except when the district has approved alternative buses or arrangements.
To ensure students are aware of and follow the Districts Code of Student Conduct while they are on the bus.
To ensure that, when the physical disability of the student renders the student unable to get on and off the bus without assistance, the parent or guardian provides the necessary assistance to help the student get on and off at the bus stop, as required by District policy or the student's individual educational plan.
Video surveillance cameras may be operating on school buses at any time. Students' pictures and conversations may be recorded. Surveillance tapes are considered confidential student records and, as such, are for use by district staff and will not be released to third parties except as provided by Florida Statutes.
RIDING A SCHOOL BUS IS A PRIVILEGE. SERIOUS OR REPEATED MISCONDUCT WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION FROM THE BUS AND PUNISHMENT FOR THE MISCONDUCT USING THIS CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT. Bus operators report rule violations to school administrators. School administrators review such reports and determine appropriate action based upon this Code of Student Conduct.
Misconduct on the bus will be considered the same as misconduct at school or on the school premises and will be handled by the school administrator in the same manner as on campus. No firearms, knives, or weapons of any kind may be brought to school or on board the school bus.
Students or parents will pay for any damages/vandalism deliberately inflicted to the bus by students.
Although all school rules apply on the bus, there are additional special rules due to the nature of bus transportation.
The school bus operator has no authority to control students while they are waiting at the bus stop or when they are on their way to or from the bus stop, except when the bus is present at the bus stop.
Personal Respect Concepts
The following personal conduct is expected of students:
No pushing, no hitting, no threats, no name-calling, no bullying, no cruel humor and no put-downs. Listen to the instructions of adults in charge; treat every person with respect and take responsibility for your own actions.
Safety Instructions for Students Riding Buses
Stand off the roadway while waiting for the bus. Walk 10 feet in front of the bus; wait for operator's signal before crossing road.
Be on time - the bus cannot wait for tardy students. Students should be at the bus stop at least five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time.
Students must board and leave bus at their regular stop location unless student has prior written request from parent and approved by principal.
Rules of classroom conduct are to be observed, provided that ordinary conversation may be allowed.
No animal (dead or alive), glass or glass containers, sharp objects, ball bats, batons, radios or drumsticks will be allowed.
Large objects which interfere with the seating or safety of others will not be permitted on the bus (i.e. large band instruments, over-sized backpacks, duffel bags, rolling luggage, skateboards, inflated balloons, large project boards, animatronic dolls and baby carriers, drill rifles or drill flags.) Any item or personal property prohibited by this Code of by specific school direction WILL NOT be permitted on the bus.
School bus operators, attendants, and other Transportation Department personnel may conduct searches of students, including their personal property, while riding on school buses if reasonable suspicion of illegal activity exits.
Large bulky items (or large band instruments) that block the entrance ways, aisles, exits or seats, or that deprive a student of a seat. Listed below are musical instruments that meet the criteria permitting them to be carried on school buses by music students on regular routes.
Piccolo
Flute
Clarinet (B Flag, Alto, Bass)
Trumpet (Cornet, Flugelhorn)
Bassoon
Violin
Viola
Alto Saxophone
Oboe
School Bus Stop Safety Suggestions
Parents should insure that if possible, an adult waits with children at school bus stops (not always possible with one parent families or where both parents work), but something could be worked out with all parents of children at the bus stop to be there on a rotating basis.
Know the path your child takes to and from their home to the school bus stop.
Avoid short cuts through woods, alleys, parks, or other areas where they could be alone.
Identify safe houses along the way that your child could run to or into for help if needed.
Insure your child does not have their name on their backpack, etc., as this would enable a potential abductor to call out to the child by name.
If your child feels concerned for their safety, they should always tell their parents and the bus driver of any such concern.
If approached on the way to or from the bus stop or at the bus stop, tell your parents, the bus driver, and school officials.
Report any suspicious vehicle, writing down the license number and providing it to school and law enforcement officials.
Stand away from any vehicle that stops near the bus stop and do not allow yourself to come close to or enter the vehicle of someone you don't want to.
Run from anyone displaying a weapon, this while throwing books, yelling, and making as much noise as they can. Under no circumstance go with an abductor. Kick, bite, but no matter what the threat, do not go along with your kidnapper. Once he takes you away, your chances of survival greatly diminish.
Personal Injury Notice
Students are expected to look to their own safety, the safety of other passengers, and to assist the school bus operator to this end. Beyond the exercise of reasonable care, the School Board of Highlands County and its agents are not responsible for injures to students caused by their own inattention, carelessness, or the acts of other motorists, adverse traffic and weather conditions or other acts of nature.
INJURY CLAIMS ARISING FROM TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING DISTRICT OWNED SCHOOL BUSES
All school buses used in the home-to-school and school-to-home transportation of students to schools in Highlands County are owned and operated by The School Board of Highlands County, Florida, a corporate public body. The Board complies with the tort liability requirements regarding school buses found in Chapter 1006.24, Florida Statutes. Public school buses are defined by state statutes as 'No Fault' vehicles. (627.732, F.S.) In such cases, insurance coverage attaches to the individual, not the vehicle.
If a student is injured as a result of an auto accident while occupying a school bus, the student would recover through the Personal Injury Protection auto policy of the parent, as long as he/she is a resident of the same household. If the parent does not own a vehicle or owns a vehicle but is not insured as required by statute, the student has no recovery through Personal Injury Protection coverage.
Isolated bus stops established for individual students may be temporarily suspended if the student does not ride the bus for three (3) consecutive days. Parents must phone the Transportation office and notify the department if the nus needs to resume making the stop.
Beyond the exercise of reasonable care, The School Board of Highlands County and its agents are not responsible for injuries to students caused by their own inattention, carelessness, or by the acts of other motorist, adverse traffic and weather conditions or other acts of God.
Notice to Parents
School bus route information is provided as a service to parents of students who are eligible for school bus service under Florida Statute and School Board Policy.
Not all students are eligible for bus service. The distance of your residence from your child's assigned school determines eligibility. Bus routes for students in special needs programs may not be reflected in the enclosed information, please contact the Transportation Department directly for this information.
Due to changes of address and differences in mailing information, not all students who receive this information are necessarily eligible for school bus transportation. School bus numbers and routes are subject to change and adjustment. See the district's web site at www.highlands.k12.fl.us for updates.