Passenger conduct on school buses (rules and procedures)

1. Passenger Conduct - Passengers shall refrain from:
   1. Excessive noise and activities.
   2. Harassment of bus driver.
   3. Fighting or abusive body contact (i.e., slapping, hitting, poking, shoving, tripping, pulling hair, etc.) on the bus, at the bus stop, or when loading or unloading the bus.
   4. Using unauthorized exits such as, emergency doors or windows.
   5. Using vulgar or profane language or obscene gestures.
   6. Disrespect, verbal or physical abuse of the bus driver or other passengers.
   7. Failing to obey driver.
   8. Damaging or defacing bus (parents of pupils damaging school buses will be responsible for proper reimbursement to the school district.)
   9. Littering of any kind.
   10. Eating or drinking on the bus.
   11. Sitting in the drivers seat or being to the immediate left or right of the driver.
   12. Other actions which create disturbances or are detrimental to safe riding.
   13. Chewing tobacco.
   14. Portable radios are not permitted unless used with headphones. The school bus radio may be operated at the driver's discretion.
   15. No pupil shall open a window on the school bus without first getting permission from the school bus driver.
2. Unacceptable hazards that may cause injury - Passengers shall refrain from:
   1. Using other than emergency exit procedures as established by the emergency exit drills in the event of an emergency.
   2. Unauthorized opening, closing, or tampering of any kind with doors, windows, emergency exits, or emergency equipment.
   3. Pupils are to remain seated while the bus is in motion and are not to get on or off the bus until the bus has come to a full stop.
   4. No pupil shall at any time extend his head, hands, or arms out of the windows, whether the school bus is in motion or standing still.
   5. Each pupil must see that his arms, legs and personal belongings are kept out of the aisles.
   6. Lighting matches smoking, or using any type of flame or sparking device on the bus.
   7. Throwing objects in, out of, or at the bus.
   8. Transporting live animals, reptiles, or insects except for seeing-eye dogs.
   9. Transporting firearms or heavy, sharp, bulky, and/or other articles that may be hazardous to other passengers, (i.e., glass, large radios, toys), particularly in the event of an accident or an emergency stop. Large class projects may be transported if they fit in the luggage compartment and don't present a hazard.
3. Passengers shall maintain safe bus stop procedures. Pupils must leave the bus in an orderly manner. They must not cross the highway until given consent by the school bus driver. When boarding or leaving the bus, the students should be in view of driver at all times. Pupils must cross the highway only in front of the bus and never behind it. Passengers must refrain from:
   1. Indulging in any improper bus stop procedures (i.e. not lining up, throwing rocks, playing in the street, damaging property at the bus stops, rushing the bus before it stops, etc...).
   2. Using other than the regularly designated bus stop without school permission.
   3. Other actions which create disturbances or are detrimental to others.
   4. Pupils should leave home early enough to arrive at the bus stop 5 min. before the bus is due. Pupils are not to run errands between the bus stop and their home.
   5. Pupils who have to walk some distance along the highway to the bus loading zone, where practicable, must walk on the left-hand side facing oncoming traffic. This will also apply to pupils leaving the bus loading zone in the evening.
4. WAC 392-145-045 Emergency Drills. (1) Emergency drills conducted pursuant to WAC 392-145-040 shall:
   1. Make allowance for individual differences in exiting the emergency door.
   2. Provide instruction to helpers that they should offer a helping hand palm up and avoid grasping a student's hand or arm.
   3. Be timed to assure that procedures provide for an orderly and expedient exiting from the vehicle.