Transportation

The safety of all students riding the bus to and from school is a responsibility weall share. Parents hold a key, vital role in ensuring School Bus Safety. The information contained on this page is provided to give you the tools to help teach your child to be safe on the walk to and from the stop, at the stop and on the bus.

Getting Ready for School

• Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or school bag so that they won´t drop things along the way.
• Encourage them to wear bright, contrasting colors so they will be more easily seen by drivers.
• Ensure loose drawstrings, chains or other dangling objects are removed from clothing, coats and bags.
• Make sure they leave home on time so they can walk to the bus stop and arrive before the bus is due, typically at least 5 minute before. Running can be dangerous.

Walking to the Bus Stop

• Walking your child to the bus stop is best or have children walk in groups. There is safety in numbers; groups are easier for drivers to see.
• Practice good pedestrian behavior: walk on the sidewalk, and if there is no sidewalk, stay out of the street.
• If you must walk in the street, walk single file, face traffic and stay as close to the edge of the road as you can.
• Stop and look left, right and then left again if you must cross the street. Do the same thing at driveways and alleys. Exaggerate your head turns and narrate your actions so your child knows you are looking left, right and left.

At the Bus Stop

• Wait in a location where the driver can see you as they drive down the street. Never wait in a house or car.
• Do not play in the street.
• Playing with balls or other toys that could roll into the street is dangerous.
• Arrive at the stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival.

Getting On and Off the Bus

• Warn children that if they drop something, they should never pick it up. Instead, they should tell the driver and follow the driver´s instructions. If they bend over to pick up a dropped object, they might not be seen by the driver and could be hurt if the driver pulls away from the stop.
• Remind children to look to the right before they step off the bus.
• Teach your children to secure loose drawstrings and other objects that may get caught in the handrail or door of the bus as they are exiting.
• If you would like your child to get off at a stop other than the one assigned, please be aware that the driver isn´t allowed to let a child off at another stop without written permission from the school.
• If you meet your child at the bus stop after school, wait on the side where the child will be dropped off, not across the street. Children can be so excited at seeing you after school that they dash across the street and forget the safety rules.
• Have a backup plan in case you are not home:
     •How to get home in case you are not at the stop.
     •Teach your children what neighbor to go to if this happens.

Riding the Bus

• Children should talk quietly, be courteous to the driver and follow the driver´s instructions.
• Children should stay seated in their assigned seat during the entire bus ride and keep the aisles clear.
• Children should not bring food/drinks/gum/candy on the bus.
• Children should make sure before exiting the bus that they have all of their belongings (coats, backpacks, phones, etc.). LSR7 School District including the Transportation department will not be responsible for items left on the bus. We will do our best to return the lost article to the student if we know who it
belongs to. If the item isn’t claimed after the next bus route it will be returned to the school and you will need to contact them. Transportation does not have a lost and found area.

Electronic Devices

At the discretion of the school bus driver and building principal electronic devices (including but not limited to, chrome books and cell phones) are permitted to be used on the school bus. If permitted, the user must follow the expectations outlined in Board Policy and School Handbook.
• Must be in a backpack or other holder while boarding and departing the bus, so hands are free to use handrails.
• Sound must be muted or the user must use headphones, ear buds or something similar.
• No material in violation of District policy and procedures.
• Do not share content with other students outside the seat compartment they are in.
• Must not create a distraction for the driver.
• No video or camera use.

Boarding LSR7 School Buses

Only LSR7 Staff and Students are allowed past the entry doors of the school bus. Anyone who violates this is subject to prosecution for trespassing. In the event you need to speak to the driver, please approach the driver’s window do not step on the bus. You may also contact the Transportation with any concerns at 816 986-4287. 

The safety of all students riding the bus to and from school is a responsibility we all share. It takes all of us working together to ensure safety: students, parents, bus drivers and school officials. The District has established the student conduct expectations listed below to ensure all of our students are transported in the safest environment possible. Students who fail to observe these expectations
will be subject to disciplinary action. Their failure to do so may affect the safety of others. Failure to follow bus expectations and regulations may result in suspension of bus riding privileges as well as school consequences depending on the seriousness of the violation.

If you should have any issues or concerns and need to talk with your child's driver, it is best to call the Transportation Office at (816) 986-4BUS (4287) to schedule a time. If you need to approach the bus, please do not step into the bus. Signal to the driver you would like to talk and proceed to the driver's side window. For the safety of all bus riders, our drivers are instructed to close the entrance door when approached and direct you to their side window. Keep in mind the bus has other stops and a schedule to keep meaning the driver has limited time at individual stops. Under Missouri Law unauthorized entrance on a school bus is trespassing. For the safety of the students we transport, the Lee’s Summit School District supports this law and has posted warnings on all buses.

 Safe riding expectations and tips for a safe school bus ride.

In accordance with Board policy JG-R1 any offense committed by a student on transportation provided by or through the district shall be disciplined in the samemanner as if the offense had been committed at the student's assigned
school. In addition, transportation privileges may be suspended or revoked.
1. Follow the bus driver's directions.
2. Be at the bus stop 5 minutes before and stay at bus stop at least 5 minutes after your stop time.
3. Line up in a single line at the side of the road.
4. Sit on your assigned seat, not on knees or backpack.
5. Speak quietly to each other.
6. Keep hands, feet and other items to yourself on the bus.
7. No food/drinks/gum/candy on the bus.
8. Be aware of the danger zone outside the bus.
9. The safest stop is the stop with an adult present.
10. Students must sit in their assigned seat the entire bus ride.
11. Students are expected to help keep the bus clean and not purposely or carelessly destroy transportation equipment.
12. Damage resulting from misbehavior shall be paid for by the student/parent. Suspension from the bus will occur and
continue until all damage is paid for.
13. Students will show consideration for other students and the bus driver by being courteous and well mannered.
14. No profanity or other abusive language.

Any action that would create an environment contrary to the District’s, Schools and Transportation Department’s missions
will not be acceptable. If the action creates an environment in which learning, safety and caring for others are not the
primary focus, disciplinary action will result, including possible loss of bus service. Students are expected to follow safe
riding expectations listed above.

Mobile Electronic Devices

At the discretion of the school bus driver and building principal electronic devices (including but not limited to, Chromebook and cell phones) are permitted to be used on the school bus. If permitted, the user must follow the expectations outlined in Board Policy and School Handbook.
• Must be in a backpack or other holder while boarding and departing the bus, so hands are free to use handrails.
• Sound must be muted or the user must use headphones, ear buds or something similar.
• No material in violation of District policy and procedures.
• Do not share content with other students outside the seat compartment they are in.
• Must not create a distraction for the driver.
• No video or camera use.

For more information on student transportation and safety tips please visit the Lee’s Summit School District Transportation
Website at: http://www.lsr7.org/schools/bus-transportation/

Walking is fun, but you need to be safe while doing it. Follow these tips to make sure you get to and from school without any problems.

Walk Together

Younger children should always walk with an adult. Tell your parents that walking is great exercise and a nice way to spend time together.
If your parents say that you can walk to school on your own, remember these tips:
• Walk with a friend when possible.
• Ask your parents to help you pick a safe route to school; one that avoids dangers.
• Stick to the route you picked with your parents. Don’t let friends talk you into shortcuts that are more dangerous.
• When you are near the street, don’t push, shove, or chase each other.
• Never hitchhike or take rides from people not arranged by your parents.
• Talk to your parents and teacher about any bullying that may happen during your walk.

Be Seen

Remember, drivers may not be able to see you well. Always wear bright-colored clothes and if it is dark or hard to see, carry flashlights or wear reflective gear.

Look For Traffic

Watch out for cars and trucks at every driveway and intersection on your walk to school. Look for drivers in parked cars. They may be getting ready to move.

Cross the Street Safely

1. Stop at the curb or edge of the street.
2. Look left, right, left and behind you and in front of you for traffi c.
3. Wait until no traffic is coming and begin crossing.
4. Keep looking for traffi c until you have fi nished crossing.
5. Walk, don’t run across the street.

Obey traffic signs, signals and adult school crossing guards.

For more resources and information on Safe Routes to School, please visit the National Center for Safe Routes to School Web site at www.saferoutesinfo.org.