Transportation Rules

Denton school bus drivers are highly trained professionals who have obtained a Federal Commercial Drivers License with air brake, passenger, and school bus endorsements.  They are required to attend a 20-hr school bus driver safety-training course approved by the Texas Department of Public Safety as well as pass a physical examination, which is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation.  Additional Denton ISD training is required in Safety/Student Management/DISD procedures.

"We strive to be the best because our children deserve to be safe." 

Denton ISD's bus drivers work directly for the school district.  They must be trained in Denton policy/procedures and come directly under district control and supervision while transporting Denton students.  They are responsible for safely driving the school bus, transporting the students, and staying on time.  In order to aid the drivers with that responsibility, they are given control over daily operations.  This may include the following:  assigning seats, requiring silence on the bus, conferences with students, instruction in emergency procedures, etc.

Register your child for transportation.  Your student must be registered to be eligible for bus service. Students who are not registered may be denied transportation services. If you move, you must provide the campus with new proof of residency as transportation is based upon whatever address the campus has entered and until it is updated, bussing will continue to be provided to the original address. 
 
To maintain the routing/bus schedule, drivers cannot wait (unless they are early) at bus stops and may not have sufficient time to return if their child misses the bus.  Children must be at their stops five (5) minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.  Instruct your children on procedures to follow if they miss the bus.

Take the time to go over all the bus safety rules and consequences listed below with your child.  Make sure they understand the need to follow the safety rules on the bus and the necessity of respecting others as well as themselves. 
 
If your student should lose their bus privileges, it is the parent/guardian's responsibility to transport them to and from school.

At no time is a parent authorized to board a Denton ISD school bus. Parents must keep a distance of 15 feet from the bus. School bus doors will not be opened until all adults have maintained this distance. 

To ensure the safety and security of all students on Denton ISD buses, parents may not board the bus at any time.  Should you need to discuss an issue with the bus driver, please contact our office at 940-369-0300.  The driver has been instructed not to engage in discussions with parents on route to avoid route delays.

Take the time to go over all the bus safety rules and consequences and make sure you understand the need for following the safety rules on the bus and the necessity for respecting other students as well as yourself.  Remember that the driver is the authority on your bus.

MORNINGS

• Be at your bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.
• Wait next to, but not in the street, driveway, or parking lot.
• When the bus approaches, form a line and be prepared to load immediately.
• Stand clear of the bus until it comes to a complete stop.
• Use the handrail and steps.
• Go directly to your seat and sit down.
• Buckle seat belt if the bus is equipped.
• The bus will not move until you are properly seated.
• If you miss the bus, go home immediately.

AFTERNOONS

• Go directly to your bus at the campus bus will wait 5 minutes after arrival.
• Use the handrail and steps.
• Go directly to your seat and sit down.
• The bus will not move until you are properly seated.
• Buckle a seatbelt if the bus is equipped.
• At your stop, stay seated until you hear the brake is set.
• Wait for your turn to leave the bus.  Pushing and crowding will only slow exiting and may cause an accident.
• All students living on the left side of the roadway should exit the bus and move to a point 10-12 feet in front of the right corner of the bus and wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to cross the street.
• Check-in both directions and walk directly across the street.
• Never cross the street behind the bus.
• Be alert for cars that do not stop when the bus is loading or unloading students.

IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY

• Follow the driver's directions completely and without hesitation

The school bus is an extension of the school day. All Student Code of Conduct rules apply.

General Conduct

• The bus driver is in charge. Students must always follow their instructions.
• Only eligible students assigned to a specific route may ride that bus.
• Students must scan their student ID when boarding and exiting the bus.

Bus Stops

• Students must use only their assigned stop based on their home address.
• Arrive at the stop 5 minutes early. Wait near the stop, not in the street or driveway.
• Wait for the bus to stop entirely before approaching or leaving.
• Be respectful of nearby property.
• Parents/guardians must stay at least 15 feet away from the bus.

Riding the Bus

• Sit properly: face forward, back against the seat, feet on the floor.
• Seat belts (if available) must always be worn correctly.
• Students have assigned seats and must remain seated. A student shall not deny another rider a place to sit.
• No touching others—zero tolerance for physical contact, harassment, or bullying.
• Keep all body parts and personal items inside the bus.
• Water is the only drink allowed. No food, gum, or littering.
• No yelling, profanity, obscene gestures, or disruptive behavior.
• Students must be silent when requested by the driver.
• No vandalism. Damage must be paid for and will result in loss of bus privileges.

Prohibited Items/Behaviors

• No animals, insects, balloons, or dangerous items (e.g., weapons, drugs, tobacco, alcohol, fireworks)
• No spraying of perfumes, body sprays, or chemicals.
• Cell phones/electronic devices may be used silently or with earphones (no photos, videos, or social media use.)
• No throwing objects inside the bus or out of the windows or doors.

Other Guidelines

• All Denton ISD rules apply at bus stops and on buses.
• All students are to be silent at the railroad crossing. (DPS commercial drovers manual, Section 10-School Buses).

• No talking on the bus.  Students seen laughing or using any form of communication with other students will be reported. (verbal, nonverbal, visual, and written communication is prohibited with other passengers)
  • No waving.
  • No yelling.
  • No mouthing to the driver or other students.
  • No racial slurs or profanity of any kind.
• No cell phone usage on the bus.
• Students MUST remain seated at all times, in their assigned seats given by transportation staff.
• Students may only load and unload at the assigned stop chosen at intake.
• Food of any kind is prohibited. Water Only.
• Keep your hands in the lap or by the sides at all times.
• Keep your head up at all times and your eyes visible to the driver.
• Keep the back against the back of the seat at all times.
• Keep your feet on the floor in front of the seat and keep your feet out of the aisle.
• Students must face the front at all times while riding the bus. (Keep face, body, and head forward so that the bus driver can see your eyes at all times)
• At the bus stop, students cannot use any form of communication to signal the bus unless an emergency.
• While entering and exiting the bus, students must keep their hands by their sides.
• Bus stops are considered a school zone.  Students are expected to be at their stop 10 minutes before the posted pick-up time.  Any inappropriate behavior seen will be reported.

The school day is not over until you exit the bus at your designated stop. 

Any violation of the above-stated rules will result in possible contact of parents and suspension from the bus and reported to Mr. Jackson.

Rev. 07/2024

• No hablar en el autobús. Los estudiantes que sean vistos riendo o utilizando cualquier forma de comunicación con otros estudiantes serán reportados. (Se prohíbe la comunicación verbal, no verbal, visual y escrita con otros pasajeros). No saludar. No gritar. No hacer señas al conductor ni a otros estudiantes. No insultos raciales ni profanidades de ningún tipo.
• No se permite el uso de teléfonos celulares en el autobús.
• Los estudiantes deben permanecer sentados en todo momento, en el asiento asignado por el personal de transport.
• Los estudiantes solo pueden subir y bajar en la parada asignada elegida en la inscripción.
• Está prohibido el consumo de cualquier tipo de alimento. Solo se permite agua.
• Mantener las manos en el regazo o a los costados en todo momento.
• Mantener la cabeza erguida en todo momento y los ojos visibles para el conductor.
• Mantener la espalda contra el respaldo del asiento en todo momento.
• Mantener los pies en el suelo frente al asiento y fuera del pasillo.
• Los estudiantes deben mirar hacia adelante en todo momento mientras viajan en el autobús. (Mantener la cara, el cuerpo y la cabeza hacia adelante para que el conductor del autobús pueda ver tus ojos en todo momento).
• En la parada del autobús, los estudiantes no pueden usar ninguna forma de comunicación para señalar al autobús, salvo en caso de emergencia.
• Al entrar y salir del autobús, los estudiantes deben mantener las manos a los costados.
• Las paradas de autobús se consideran zona escolar. Se espera que los estudiantes estén en su parada 10 minutos antes de la hora de recogida publicada. Cualquier comportamiento inapropiado observado será reportado. El día escolar no termina hasta que salgas del autobús en tu parada designada.

Cualquier violación de las reglas mencionadas anteriormente resultará en la posible notificación a los padres, suspensión del autobús y reporte al Sr. Jackson.

• No talking on the bus.  Students seen laughing or using any form of communication with other students will be reported. (verbal, nonverbal, visual, and written communication is prohibited with other passengers)
• Keep hands in the lap or by sides at all times.
• Keep your head up at all times and your eyes visible to the driver.
• Keep the back against the back of the seat at all times.
• Keep your feet on the floor in front of the seat and keep your feet out of the aisle. 
• Students must face the front at all times while riding the bus. (Keep face, body, and head forward so that the bus driver can see your eyes at all times)
• At the bus stop, students cannot use any form of communication to signal the bus unless an emergency.
  • No waving.
  • No yelling.
  • No mouthing to the driver or other students.
• No objects can be brought on the bus.  Plastic bags containing supplies for new students will be checked by the driver.
• Davis School's dress code is enforced by Davis School administrators. Report non-compliance to an administrator at Davis School.  The Davis dress code will be adhered to on the school bus.  No hoodie hoods over the head, no untucked shirts, and no unauthorized clothing articles to be worn will be permitted.
• While entering and exiting the bus, students must keep hands by their sides.
• Bus stops are considered a school zone.  Students are expected to be at their stop 10 minutes before the posted pick-up time.  Any inappropriate behavior seen will be reported.
• All students must arrive at school via a Denton ISD bus each morning.

Any violation of the above-stated rules will result in a 1 (one) day suspension from the school bus and/or in-school suspension.

Rev. 07/2024

• No hablar en el autobús. Los estudiantes que sean vistos riendo o utilizando cualquier forma de comunicación con otros estudiantes serán reportados. (Se prohíbe la comunicación verbal, no verbal, visual y escrita con otros pasajeros).
• Mantener las manos en el regazo o a los costados en todo momento.
• Mantener la cabeza erguida en todo momento y los ojos visibles para el conductor.
• Mantener la espalda contra el respaldo del asiento en todo momento.
• Mantener los pies en el suelo frente al asiento y fuera del pasillo.
• Los estudiantes deben mirar hacia adelante en todo momento mientras viajan en el autobús. (Mantener la cara, el cuerpo y la cabeza hacia adelante para que el conductor del autobús pueda ver tus ojos en todo momento).
• En la parada del autobús, los estudiantes no pueden usar ninguna forma de comunicación para señalar al autobús, salvo en caso de emergencia. No saludar. No gritar. No hacer señas al conductor ni a otros estudiantes.
• No se pueden traer objetos en el autobús. Las bolsas de plástico que contengan suministros para estudiantes nuevos serán revisadas por el conductor.
• El código de vestimenta de la Escuela Davis es impuesto por los administradores de la Escuela Davis. Reportar cualquier incumplimiento a un administrador en la Escuela Davis. Se debe cumplir el código de vestimenta de Davis en el autobús escolar. No se permiten capuchas sobre la cabeza, camisas fuera del pantalón ni prendas de vestir no autorizadas.
• Al entrar y salir del autobús, los estudiantes deben mantener las manos a los costados.
• Las paradas de autobús se consideran zona escolar. Se espera que los estudiantes estén en su parada 10 minutos antes de la hora de recogida publicada. Cualquier comportamiento inapropiado observado será reportado.
• Todos los estudiantes deben llegar a la escuela en un autobús de Denton ISD cada mañana.

Cualquier violación de las reglas mencionadas anteriormente resultará en una suspensión de 1 (un) día del autobús escolar y/o suspensión dentro de la escuela.

Rev. 07/2024