Westwinds School Bus Policy

Riding the school bus is a privilege. To help keep everyone safe and respectful, all students must follow the expectations outlined below. Please read carefully and sign at the bottom.

Bus Expectations

1. Respect the Driver

• Follow directions the first time they are given.
• Speak politely and listen when the driver is speaking.

    2. Stay Seated and Face Forward

• Remain in your assigned seat at all times.
• Keep hands, feet, and belongings to yourself.

    3. Keep the Bus Clean and Safe

• No eating, drinking, or gum chewing on the bus.
• Do not throw objects or litter.

    4. Use Respectful Language and Behavior

• No bullying, teasing, or inappropriate language.
• Speak quietly; loud noises can distract the driver.

    5. Respect the Safety of All Riders

• Keep the aisle clear at all times.
• Do not put anything (arms, heads, bags, objects) out of the windows.

    6. Get On and Off Safely

• Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop.
• Use the handrail when entering or exiting.
• Only get off at your assigned stop.

    7. Personal Electronics/Valuables

• Phones, AirPods, Smartwatches are not permitted on the bus
• Students must keep any valuables in their backpacks
• Trading cards are not permitted on the bus

Consequences for Not Following Bus Rules

If a student does not follow the bus code of conduct, the following steps may be taken:

Warning 1: The student will receive a verbal warning from the bus driver. The driver may also change the student’s seat at their discretion.

Warning 2: A behavior notice will be sent home. A parent or guardian must sign and return the letter before the student can ride the bus the next school day. The letter will be submitted to the Vice Principal, who will meet with the student.

Warning 3: A second behavior notice will be sent home. The signed letter must be returned before the student is allowed back on the bus. The student will not be permitted to ride the bus until a meeting is held with the Vice Principal, the student, the parents, and the bus driver.

Warning 4: The student will be suspended from the bus for one week. Continued issues may result in a suspension for the rest of the school year. Bus fees will not be refunded.

Parent/Guardian Agreement and Responsibilities

1. Student Readiness

        Parents/guardians must ensure their child is ready at least 5 minutes before the scheduled morning pick-up time.

     2. Supervision for KG–Grade 6 Students

     A responsible adult (parent/guardian) must accompany the child to the bus stop for drop-off and be present at the bus stop for pick-up.

     3. Respectful Conduct

     Parents/guardians must maintain respectful and courteous interactions with the bus driver at all times. Disrespectful, threatening, or inappropriate behavior toward bus staff will not be         tolerated and may result in suspension of bus transportation for the student.

     4. Review of Bus Rules

     Parents/guardians must review the School Bus Code of Conduct with their child and understand that violations may result in consequences.

     5. Delays & Cancellations

     Pick-up and drop-off times are not guaranteed. Weather and traffic may cause delays. Parents/guardians will be notified if bus service is cancelled for any reason.

     6. Missed Pick-Ups

     If no authorized adult is at the bus stop within one minute of the bus arrival, the driver will return the child(ren) to Guru Nanak Gate Campus/ Westwinds. Parents/guardians will be               responsible for picking them up and paying applicable supervision charges.

     7. Driver Contact & Schedule Changes

•  Parents/guardians must not contact the driver during route times (6:30–8:00 a.m. and 2:30–4:30 p.m.).
•  Any changes to morning pick-up must be communicated to the driver by 6:15 a.m. or the night before between (5:00 - 5:30pm).
•  Afternoon bus cancellations must be communicated to the school by 2:00 p.m.
•  Concerns about routes or stops must be sent to the Transportation Manager at gsscalgary@outlook.com.
•  The driver will respond to messages between 8:00–9:00 a.m. or 5:00–5:30 p.m.

     8. Bus Stop Locations & Road Crossings

     Due to space constraints or other factors, door-to-door service may not be possible. Children may need to cross the road during pick-up or drop-off. For multiple homes on the same           street, children may be assigned a common pick-up/drop-off point.