Safety tips while walking, biking or riding the bus to school
Students who live more than one mile away from an elementary school, one and a half miles from a middle school or two miles from a high school are eligible to ride the bus. Also, students may qualify to ride the bus if their walking route to school is deemed hazardous, such as students having to cross a major roadway.
Show children a safe walking path from home to the bus stop or school. Practice walking this path several times before school begins.
Pick a landmark that will help students easily recognize their stop.
Know the bus number and bus pick up time, which each school will provide.
Be aware that buses sometimes run late. Students should not leave their stop until the bus arrives.
Obey all traffic signals, signs and crossing guards, and use crosswalks where available.
Walk bikes through intersections
Walk with a buddy, if possible, and be aware of the surroundings.
Avoid talking to and responding to strangers. If a stranger approaches or tries to get a child to come to him, the child should run home, to a neighbor’s house or another safe place such as a business, and ask an adult for help.
Wear reflective material and always wear a helmet when riding a bike.
Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled arrival time.
Stand at least five giant steps (10 feet) away from the curb and line up away from the street when the bus is approaching. Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it is OK to board before getting onto the bus.
Cross the street in front of the bus and walk on the sidewalk or along the road to a point at least 10 giant steps ahead of the bus before crossing. Be sure that the bus driver can see you and that you can see the driver when crossing the street, and watch for traffic coming both ways.
Avoid eating, drinking, shouting, throwing things or sticking anything out the window or cluttering the aisle and exits while riding the bus. For more information, call the RRPS transportation department at 338-0078.