THE STUDENT’S JOB – BUS SAFETY FOR RIDERS
 
The Hancock School District is committed to maintaining a safe, respective environment while transporting all students to and from school. All Students are expected to show respect towards fellow students and their property. Harassment in any form will not be tolerated. Every student, regardless of age, is responsible for following the rules outlined below.
 
SAFETY AT THE BUS STOP
At the bus stop, students are expected to:
  • Arrive five minutes before their scheduled pick-up time.
  • Be cooperative and respectful of property.
  • Stay a safe distance back from the roadway and wait for the bus to come to a complete stop.
  • Do not accept rides from strangers, even if you have missed the bus.
BOARDING THE BUS SAFELY
When boarding the bus, students are expected to:
  • Remain on the side of the road they reside on. If students must cross the street, they should walk 10 steps ahead of the bus.
  • Stop, look back at the bus driver and wait until the driver gives a hand signal to cross, and then look left, right and left before proceeding.
  • Walk quickly across the road, without stopping, turning back or running.
  • Hold large items or musical instruments on their laps or in seat area, but not in the aisle.
  • Enter in an orderly manner using the handrail. No pushing, shoving or crowding.
BEHAVIOR ON THE BUS
On the bus, students are expected to:
  • Take a seat promptly, remain seated and avoid moving around on the bus while in motion.
  • Follow the instructions of the driver promptly and respectfully.
  • Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself. No pushing, shoving or horseplay.
  • Not put their head, arms, feet or any object out of the window.
  • Respect the vehicle. A student can be charged for damage/vandalism to the bus.
  • Not bring weapons, flammable materials or any other dangerous or objectionable object on the bus.
  • Not fight, use abusive language/jesters, light incendiary devices or use tobacco products.
  • Not throw, flip or propel objects on the bus.
LEAVING THE BUS SAFELY
When leaving the bus, students are expected to:
  • Remain seated until the bus has completely stopped and then exit without pushing or crowding.
  • Use the handrail when leaving the bus.
  • Move away from the bus after stepping onto the roadway.
  • If students must cross the road, they should walk 10 steps ahead of the bus. Stop, look back at the bus driver and wait until the driver gives a hand signal to cross; then look left, right and left before proceeding. Walk quickly across the street, without stopping, turning back or running.
DANGER ZONE
The danger zones outside of the bus are 10 feet in front of and 10 feet on the right side of the bus. The rear of the bus is a “keep out” area. The vast majority of bus accidents and injuries to students occur outside of the bus in these areas. Students are directed to be no closer than 10 feet to the bus, except when loading and unloading. If students drop papers, lunch boxes or other objects while loading or unloading from the bus the student must get the attention of the driver. Please remind your children they must never try to retrieve books or papers from around or underneath the bus. The driver may not be able to see them! We suggest children keep all paper and articles in a backpack.
 
WINTER SAFETY
In winter students should:
  • Be dressed in warm winter clothing, hats, mittens and boots.
  • Use the handrail when boarding or exiting the bus to prevent slipping on icy steps or road surfaces.
  • Not stand or play on snow piles at the bus stop. Students playing on snow piles could slide into the road in the path of oncoming traffic.
SEVERE WEATHER

The plan that goes into effect for rural bus students unable to get home on their bus routes during a winter storm has been outlined again by the Hancock School administration. The three most common winter storm situations and the procedures to be followed in each case are as follows:

1. SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED, NO CLASSES WILL BE HELD, AND NO BUSES/VANS WILL GO ON ROUTES THAT DAY.  An instant alert will go out and announcements will be made over the below radio/tv stations as early as possible that school will be closed and buses will not run. Students are not to report to school that day.

Radio Stations:  KMRS (1230 AM)/KKOK (96.7 FM)

KSCR (93.5 FM)

KWLM/(Q102/101.1 FM)

KDJS (97.3 FM, 1590 AM)

KIK/COOL (100.7 FM)

TV Stations:  KSAX, KMSP, KARE 11

2. SCHOOL’S OPENING TIME WILL BE DELAYED BY ONE OR TWO HOURS. An instant alert will go out and announcements will be made on the above mentioned stations as early as possible. Buses/vans will go out on their routes before school begins, running either one or two hours later than the usual time. Students and parents must listen to their radios for announcements as students are to report to school at the time announced for a regular day of classes. Dismissal will be at the regular time.

3. STORMS THAT OCCUR AFTER STUDENTS ARE IN SCHOOL may result in the implementation of the snow home procedures if the conditions are too bad to have the children sent home on the buses. City children will be sent home before conditions become too difficult. Children who ride buses/vans will be sent home early if conditions permit. An instant alert and announcements will be made over the radio stations listed above BEFORE the buses/vans are sent out. If weather conditions are too severe, an instant alert will be sent and the radio station will announce that rural children will remain in Hancock at their snow homes.

Parents’ decisions regarding weather conditions will be honored by the school administration. If a parent decides that their children should not go to school because of bad weather, a note or phone call to the school principal will excuse the students from school for that day. It will be counted as an excused absence.