School Bus Rules and Regulations 

Rules and Regulations for school bus passengers and bus drivers have been adopted by the Carteret County Board of Education to insure the safety of the passengers and the efficiency of our transportation system. Students who fail to observe these rules will be subject to immediate disciplinary action, since their failure to do so may affect the safe operation of the bus.

Rules
1. Be at the designated bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time. The bus cannot wait on the highway as students walk to the bus stop. No student may cross Hwy NC 24.
2. Stay off the road while waiting at a bus stop. In areas where crossing the highway is necessary, do not cross the road until the bus and all traffic have stopped. Line up in a single file and board the bus only after the bus has come to a complete stop. Walk across the road approx. ten feet in front of the bus in full view of the driver. NEVER cross behind the bus. Upon entering the bus, take a seat quickly and remain seated at all times.
3. BE COURTEOUS AND RESPECTFUL TO THE BUS DRIVER AT ALL TIMES! DISRESPECT TO THE BUS DRIVER WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!
4. Keep all body parts inside the bus at all times.
5. Do not throw objects inside the bus or out the windows.
6. Do not shout, wave or gesture to pedestrians or occupants of other vehicles from bus window.
7. Do not bring glass bottles, stones, sticks, snakes, animals, bullets, weapons, explosives, or toy guns, or anything   considered unnecessary or dangerous on buses. (See Carteret County policy).
8. Do not eat, drink or chew gum while riding on a school bus. Drinks on the bus are a DRIVER OPTION.
9. Keep the aisle clear and never pile books or book bags, musical instruments, lunch boxes, or other objects in the aisle. Legs and feet should not be in the aisle during loading or unloading.
10. Do not use profane or vulgar language or gestures, tobacco, drugs, or alcoholic beverages while riding on a bus.
11. Passengers will not be loud, boisterous, or distract the driver's attention in any way. This includes harassing other students.
12. Passengers will remain completely SILENT at all RAILROAD CROSSINGS.
13. Playing, hitting, scuffing, etc., and fighting on the bus will not be tolerated.
14. Do not tamper with the emergency exits or any other part of the bus.
15. Do not mar, deface or litter the bus in any way. Students will be required to pay for any and all damage.
16. No person will ride a bus UNLESS assigned to it by the Principal, Assistant Principal or Designee.
17. A passenger will ride ONLY his/her assigned bus and will leave the bus ONLY at his/her designated stop. A student can be assigned to ONLY ONE bus.
18. Students who desire to ride home on a bus to which they are not assigned must have a note signed by their parent/guardian approved by the Assistant Principal/Designee by noon of that day.
19. Students who leave the school premises without permission during the school day will NOT be permitted to ride a bus home that afternoon.
20. Once buses are loaded in the afternoon and begin departure, no student will be permitted to board.

CONSEQUENCES

Students who fail to observe these rules will be subject to immediate disciplinary action, since their failure to do so may affect the safety of others. The Assistant Principal/Designee will determine if the offense warrants parent notification. Excessively dangerous behavior will result in immediate disciplinary action by the Assistant Principal/Designee.

Violation 1: A conduct report describing the incident will be sent home, which must be signed by the parent and presented by the student to the driver when the student next boards the bus.
Violation 2: Suspension from riding ALL buses for a minimum of 3 days, depending on the seriousness of the offense.
Violation 3: Suspension from riding ALL buses for a minimum of 10 days, depending on the seriousness of the offense.