Bicycles

Riding bikes to school is generally discouraged for children younger than second grade. Parents are encouraged to check with the principal to determine specific regulations. Parents are also encouraged to review the following safety regulations with their bicycle-riding children:

1. Students who ride their bicycles to and from school should ride on the right side of the street.       
2. Always ride single file.        
3. Students should walk their bicycles across major highways.
4. Bicycles must not be ridden on the playground. When arriving or leaving the school grounds, students should walk their bicycles.
5. When weather is bad, bicycle riding should be discouraged.
6. All bicycles should be locked to prevent theft.
7. Children are not to loiter around bicycles parked in the rack.
8. Students are not to take bicycles out of the rack and ride them without the permission of the owner.           
9. Students should not ride double.
10. Parents are to encourage the use of helmets.

The district is not responsible for the theft or vandalism of student bicycles.

Bus Suspensions

The superintendent, or any designee as permitted in the Illinois School Code, is authorized to suspend a student from riding the school bus for up to 10 consecutive school days for engaging in gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to, the following:

• Prohibited student conduct as defined in School Board policy, 7:190 (Student Behavior).
• Willful injury or threat of injury to a bus driver or to another rider.
• Willful and/or repeated defacement of the bus.
• Repeated use of profanity.
• Repeated willful disobedience of a directive from a bus driver or other supervisor.
• Such other behavior as the superintendent or designee deems to threaten the safe operation of the bus and/or its occupants.

If a student is suspended from riding the bus for gross disobedience or misconduct on a bus, the School Board may suspend the student from riding the school bus for a period in excess of 10 days for safety reasons. The district shall provide the student with notice of the gross disobedience or misconduct and an opportunity to respond.

A student suspended from riding the bus who does not have alternate transportation to school shall have the opportunity to complete or make up work for equivalent academic credit. It shall be the responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian to notify the school that the student does not have alternate transportation.

Electronic Recordings on School Buses

Per Board policies 7:220 (Bus Conduct) and 7:194 (Security Cameras)

CCSD 89 has installed video/audio taping equipment in school buses. Electronic visual and audio recordings may be used on school buses to monitor conduct and to promote and maintain a safe environment for students and employees when transportation is provided for any school-related activity.

Notice of electronic recordings shall be displayed on the exterior of the vehicle’s entrance door and front interior bulkhead in compliance with state law and the rules of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

Students are prohibited from tampering with electronic recording devices. Students who violate this policy shall be disciplined in accordance with the Board’s discipline policy and shall reimburse the district for any necessary repairs or replacement.

School Bus Safety – Instructions for Bus Riders

Parents are urged to instruct their children about proper behavior at bus stops and where to stand while waiting for the bus. In most cases, students should stand back from the edge of the road at least 10 feet and at least 20 feet along a high-speed road. Students must remain at a safe distance from a moving bus at all times.

It is the responsibility of the parents to teach their children to respect the property of others. Students who do not conduct themselves properly at bus stops may have their bus privileges suspended.

Student safety on the school bus depends on how well they conduct themselves on the school bus as well as how the driver performs his or her responsibilities. There are consequences for breaking bus rules, and students may lose their bus-riding privileges as a result of breaking the rules. The driver and the bus supervisors also have rules that must be followed and unsafe driving practices or inappropriate conduct should be reported to the principal or Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations.

The following bus safety rules for students are published by the State Superintendent of Education, and they should be followed to ensure the safety and well being of all students:

1. Help keep the bus on schedule by being on time at the designated school bus stop.
2. Stay off the road at all times while waiting for the bus.
3. Be careful in approaching the place where the bus stops. Do not move toward the bus until the bus comes to a complete stop.
4. Do not leave your seat while the bus is in motion.
5. Be alert to a danger signal from the driver.
6. Remain in the bus in the event of a road emergency until instructions are given by the driver.
7. Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times after entering and until leaving the bus.  Do not throw anything out the bus window.
8. Remember that loud talking and laughing or unnecessary confusion divert the driver’s attention and could result in a serious accident. Keeping distractions to a minimum will help the bus driver ensure your safety while in transit.
9. Be quiet when approaching and crossing railroad crossings.
10. Treat bus equipment as you would valuable furniture in your own home.  Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment.
11. Assist in keeping the bus safe and sanitary at all times.  No eating is allowed on the bus.
12. Carry no animals on the bus except with special permission of the district.
13. Keep books, packages, coats, and all other objects out of the aisles and away from emergency exits. These items should be placed under the school bus seat while in transit.
14. Do not leave books, lunches or other articles on the bus.
15. Be courteous to fellow students and the bus driver. To earn respect, you must first show respect.
16. Help look after the safety and comfort of smaller children.
17. Do not ask the driver to stop at places other than the regular bus stop. He or she is not permitted to do this except by proper authorization from a school official.
18. Observe safety precautions at discharge points. Know and observe the rules. When it is necessary to cross the highway, proceed to a point at least 10 feet in front of the bus on the right shoulder of the highway where traffic may be observed in both directions. Wait for the signal from the school bus driver permitting you to cross.
19. Observe the same rules and regulations on other trips under school sponsorship as you observe between home and school.  Respect the wishes of the chaperone appointed by the school.
20. Students must keep their cell phones turned off and in their backpacks, pockets, purses or otherwise out of sight and not readily accessible while riding a school bus.

School-Bus Transportation

Per CCSD 89 Board Policy 4:110 (Transportation)

Board policy allows students who live more than one and one-half miles from school to ride a bus for free. Students who live under one and one-half miles, but who would have to walk along or cross a hazardous route as defined in state regulations, also qualify for bus transportation services without cost.

The school, the parents, and the students must cooperate in order to ensure the safety of all. Students whose behavior causes difficulty or endangers the safety of other students or the bus driver may be denied the privilege of riding the school bus for a short period of time or for the remainder of the school year. Parents will be notified if such action is necessary.

Students are not to ride on a bus to which they have not been assigned. Children who walk to school may not ride home on the bus. Eligible students are issued a bus pass at the beginning of the school year.

Buses usually run every day that school is in session. Bus pick-up and departure schedules may vary, particularly in very bad weather. The fact that a bus cannot make its normal run does not legally excuse students from attending school.

It is your responsibility as a parent/guardian to make the bus driver aware of any health concerns related to your child.