MN.Statute 121A.59:
Transportation by school bus is a privilege not a right.
Follow the bus driver’s directions at all times
Sit in your seat facing forward with your feet on the floor.
Talk quietly and use appropriate language.
No fighting, harassment, bullying, intimidation, or horseplay.
Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.
NO eating, drinking, use of tobacco, drugs or vaping.
NO changing seats while the bus is in motion.
Do not put the windows down past the line.
NO music/movies played on devices without ear buds.
Parents will be notified by Letter for any Severe behavior such as:
Refusal to follow the bus driver’s directions
Physical abuse towards others
Abusive language
Vandalism
Students, of any age, riding the bus to a location other than their normal scheduled drop off location will (as it has always been) not be able to do so unless communications have been made between the parent and the school bus driver.
These communications can be made in the following manner.
A note from the parent indicating permission to ride home to the alternate location.
A phone call from the parent to the appropriate school office or teacher indicating permission for the student to ride home to an alternate location. The school or teacher will then either call the bus company, call the bus driver on the two-way, provide a note for the student to give to the driver, or the teacher or school representative will tell the driver directly of the instructions for that students p.m. transportation on that afternoon.
A phone call from the parent to the bus company indicating permission to ride home to an alternate location. The bus company staff will then let the driver of that student know where that student is supposed to ride to on that afternoon.
Communications SHOULD NOT be made by a parent calling a student’s cell phone while that student is riding the bus and having that student either tell the driver that the parent is on the phone and giving the student permission to ride to an alternate location or handing the phone to the driver to take instructions over the phone while driving the route.
Our drivers have been instructed NOT to take phone calls from parents while on the bus route for two main reasons.
It creates unnecessary distractions, in many different ways, for the driver who needs to concentrate on driving their bus safely. (safety)
It is illegal for a driver to talk or text on a cell phone while driving a school bus. (Minnesota state law/safety)