SECTION I - Policies and Guidelines for Bus Students

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARENT(S) OR GUARDIANS

1. General
   Parents will obviously play the key role in influencing their children in all aspects of safety, at home, at play, and going to and from school. This is particularly true of younger children.
2. Parents can promote school bus safety in the following ways:
   1. Go over with and discuss with your children the conduct expected on the bus, particularly the responsibilities of the students.
   2. Provide extra help and guidance during the first several weeks of school, especially for kindergarten, grade one and grade two students. The children must have a good understanding of the location of bus stops; behaviour while waiting for buses, as well as on board; what to do when buses are late, etc. Safety is of utmost importance and should be emphasized by the parents.
   3. Report any obvious and significant safety problems to the Director of Transportation giving specific details as to bus number, date, time, place, etc.
   4. Remind children that even though all vehicles are required by law to stop when flashers are in operation on a school bus, vehicle drivers are sometimes negligent or careless and do not stop when they should, therefore, children should always proceed across the road with utmost caution.
   5. Promote an awareness in other drivers that it is a traffic offence to pass IN EITHER DIRECTION a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing.
3. What parents should be aware of regarding school bus service:
   1. Parents are responsible to ensure the child is ready 5 mins before the normal pickup time in the morning. For KG to 3 students, a responsible adult (parents/guardian) must drop off the child to the bus stop and pick up the child from the bus stop.
   2. At the end of the day, when the child is dropped off, the parents must make sure that a responsible adult is at home to receive the child. At the end of the day, for KG to 3 students, a responsbile adult must pick up the child from the bus stop. If the driver does not see a responsible adult waiting to receive the child, the driver will not drop off the child at home as we cannot put the child's safety at risk. The driver will finish his/her route and then bring the child back to school. The parents will then need to pick up the child from school. To avoid all this, we request all parents to ensure that a responsible adult is at home to receive the child.
   3. Parents are requested to avoid phoning the driver during the bus route. The driver will not answer your phone calls while driving. If your child is going to be absent from the bus/school, then you must inform the bus driver the night before or before 6:15am. You can send a message to the driver if the child is going to be absent. If you're going to pick up the child from school, then you must inform the school before 1:30pm. The afternoons are very busy at school and if your call is made after 1:30pm, then the office staff may not be able to deliver the message to your child. The parents are also requested to send a message to the bus driver if their child is not taking the bus in the afternoon. Please ensure to notify both - the school and the bus driver.
   4. Parents having problems concerning bus routes or pickup points should be referred to the Transportation manager at - gsscalgary@outlook.com. If you need to speak to the bus driver to discuss a concern then kindly do it during the following hours. Morning - 8:00 to 9:00am. Evening - 5:00 to 5:30pm.
   5. Parents are responsible for students until they board the school bus and following unloading at their designated stop in the afternoon.
   6. Parents will be responsible for willful damages to school buses caused by their children.
   7. When the bus transportation privileges of a student are suspended, under the provisions of School Board policy, school attendance is still mandatory and the parents must make their own alternative arrangements. Transportation Assistance Allowance will not be paid in those circumstances.
   8. Be aware of Board Policy relating to general suspension of transportation services through emergencies, such as inclement weather.
   9. As mentioned earlier, the driver must be notified by the parent via message, even if you're going to pick up your child during dismissal time. It is important for the driver to know if you're child is taking the bus or not. Parents are not allowed to just pick up the bus student at the end of the day without notifying the driver.

SECTION II - RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BUS STUDENT

Students riding on the bus must remember they are responsible for their conduct to the bus driver and through him to the vice principal/principal.

1. The driver is in full charge of the bus and his/her directions must be obeyed.
2. The driver will report any misconduct to the principal of the school concerned.
3. The driver may assign specific seats to students at any time.
4. While the bus is in motion, students must not extend parts of their bodies out of the windows, try to get on or off the bus, or move about within it. All students must be seated when the bus is moving.
5. Students must not throw paper or other material on the floor or out of the bus windows.
6. While on the bus, students must conduct themselves in a quiet and courteous manner, showing consideration for the comfort and safety of others.
7. Scuffling, fighting, smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, using drugs, and using obscene language on the bus are strictly prohibited.
8. Eating on the bus or drinking water on the bus is not allowed.
9. Students causing willful damage to the bus will be held fully accountable.
10. When leaving the bus, students must observe the bus driver's instructions. They should not cross the road without having a clear view in all directions.
11. In extreme cold or inclement weather, or under hazardous road conditions, students must be properly dressed. Parents must also arrange for alternate shelter and care if necessary.
12. Safety of students required to ride on school buses shall not be placed at risk by requiring operation of school buses, or other transportation, during extreme inclement weather or under hazardous road conditions. The responsibility for safety of children who are required to travel on school buses or other school-provided transportation is of necessity shared by the board, its staff, bus drivers and parents. School system staff and bus operators shall exercise their responsibilities in accordance with the guidelines approved by the Board.

SECTION III

STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES AND THE WARNING SYSTEM

Bus drivers are an important part of Gobind Sarvar Schools staff. They are responsible for the safety and conduct of the students while they are on the bus. Students riding on a bus are expected to give the bus driver respect, consideration and cooperation, and always and immediately carry out his/her reasonable instructions.

Purpose: To establish behavioural expectations with appropriate and consistent consequences that promote self-respect, respect for others and property.

Guidelines & Procedures:

1. If a student chooses to break a rule, the following processes may be applied:
   1. First time - Student warned by the driver - First warning given
   2. 2nd Time - Student assigned designated seat, parents called, vice principal informed, 2nd warning given.
   3. 3 rd Warning given - Meeting will be held with the Vice Principal, parent, student, and the driver.
   4. Fourth time - Suspension of bus privileges for designated period of time (at least two days); First strike earned at school. One day of suspension at school. Suspension letter placed in the student file. Parents notified and made responsible for transportation.
2. If, in the opinion of the driver, the student's behaviour is sufficiently negative to warrant, the driver may step outside of this process and refer the student to the principal for appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in Policy - Student Conduct.
3. For minor incidents of a continuing nature, bus drivers are encouraged to contact the parents prior to referring to the principal.

The following procedures shall be carried out when it becomes desirable or necessary to suspend a student from riding a school bus.

1. Decisions to expel a student from riding a school bus shall be made by the Board/Admin in accordance with Policy - Student Suspension/Expulsion.
2. Prior to the next pickup time the parents of the student must be personally informed by the Vice Principal/Principal (or designate) of the suspension and the reasons for the suspension.
3. Under extreme circumstances, the driver or the Director of Transportation (or designate) may inform the parent that the student will be denied transportation prior to the Vice Principal/Principal having been informed.
4. Re-instatement on the school bus may take place through
   1. a meeting and/or communication with the parent(s), student, Vice Principal/Principal and bus driver to resolve the situation, provided the suspension is for five days or less; or
   2. a meeting with the board for problem resolution.