School Bus Information for Parents

The information included on this page is designed to assist parents and their children with a smooth transition into the school bus system.

PRSD Bus Rider Rules

Be appropriately dressed for weather conditions in case of breakdown or delays.
Be at the bus stop at least 3-5 minutes before scheduled pickup time; stand well away from the bus stop in the safety zone.
Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before getting on or off of the bus.
Cross the road 3 meters in front of the bus. Do not cross the road until the bus driver signals you to do so.
Go directly to the seat assigned to you. Sit in your seat facing forward at all times while the bus is in motion.
Do not open windows without permission from the bus driver. Do not put arms, hands, head or objects out of the window.
Put all garbage in a container; do not throw it out of the window or on the floor.
Loud or noisy behaviour is prohibited.
Use of tobacco or alcohol products of any type is prohibited—including vaping.
Electronic audio equipment with adequate sound retention headphones may be used by passengers, at the discretion of the driver.
The aisle of the bus must be kept clear at all times; keep hands, feet and all objects out of the aisle.
Please inform the bus driver when you will not be on the bus. Attendance will be taken.
The Bus Driver is responsible for passenger safety. Follow the direction of the bus driver at all times.
Any violations of the rules or damage to the bus will be reported to the principal.
Bullying or other forms of harassment will be immediately reported to the appropriate school principal.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities

Parents/Guardians are responsible for the safety of their children prior to boarding the bus and after disembarking from the bus.
Supervise your children at the bus stop to ensure their safety while waiting for the bus. Children must know what to do if the bus is late or does not arrive.
All students must be registered to ride.
Please review the bus rider rules with your child.
Advise the Transportation Office and your bus driver if your child has any medical or
behavior conditions.
Parents shall make every effort to inform the driver when bus service is not required.
All Kindergarten and Grade 1 students must be met by a responsible adult on and
off the bus. Please inform the bus driver if other arrangements need to be made—for example, walking home with an older sibling.
Ensure their children are properly dressed for weather conditions.
Parents are required to pay for willful damages their children cause to the school bus.

Please note: The Division may equip school buses with electronic monitoring devices ensuring student and driver safety as per Administrative Procedure 181.

Guest Riders on School Buses

Please contact the school by phone or email a minimum of 24 hours before you wish to have your student rides as a guest. Students can only ride to a scheduled bus stop, no other stops are permitted.

Bus drivers are instructed to only accept bus notes that are issued by the school.

Due to bus seating limits, some routes may not permit guest riders.

Inclement Weather Procedures

Parents should tune to local radio stations for school bus reports and delays.
Route delays of 10 minutes or greater will be broadcast and posted on the BusPlanner website
Students should be taught how to check and listen for bus delays.
Parents must have secondary arrangements if the bus is delayed or not running at all.
Route delays in the afternoon will be posted on the website and schools will be informed.
Parents are responsible to ensure their children are properly dressed for weather conditions.
Refer to AP 133, Inclement Weather

What is allowed on a school bus?

Parents/Guardians: Please check with the bus driver before taking sports equipment or band instruments on the bus.

What is allowed on a school bus?

Articles that fit in or under the bus seat and do not block the aisle or emergency exits.
Small musical instruments provided they are concealed in the manufacturer's case or a leather-type case with a zipper, which must be securely fasted at all times. These instruments may include:
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Bells
- Percussion sticks, drum pads
- Alto or Tenor Saxophone
- Bass Clarinet (this instrument may not fit under the seat on some models of bus)
- Trombone
- Trumpet
Ice skates with guards and rollerblades that are carried in a heavy, durable sports bag that can be stowed under the owner's seat.

What is Not Allowed on a School Bus?

Skis and Ski Poles
Snowboards
Skateboards
Scooters
Curling Brooms
Hockey Sticks
Baritone Saxophone
Bass Trombone
French Horn
Guitar
Tuba
Animals
Firearms
Explosives
Knives, including pocket knives
Flammable materials and substances
Fuel, other than in the fuel system and fuel tank of the bus
Anything of a dangerous or objectionable nature, or that might endanger the lives or safety of persons in the bus.

Any request to carry articles now mentioned in the above section must be made to the Transportation Manager.

Transportation Service Areas

With the authority of the Education Act, PRSD has created a boundary system where students are assigned a resident transportation service area, which usually connects students to their neighbourhood schools, depending on school capacity and utilization. By providing a transportation service area for each child, PRSD ensures we are able to provide transportation to students to attend school in the most efficient manner, in regard to both distance and ride time.