"Bus Safety Training As Required by 702 KAR 5:030" John Wyatt Kentucky Department of Education

Why Regulations KRS 156.160 (1) With the advice of the Local Superintendents Advisory Council, the Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate administrative regulations establishing standards which school districts shall meet in student, program, service, and operational performance.

KRS 156.160 (continued) These regulations shall comply with the expected outcomes for students and schools set forth in KRS 158.6451. Administrative regulations shall be promulgated for the following: (k) The transportation of children to and from school;

702 KAR 5:030 Pupil Transportation Section 14. A district shall develop a plan providing all pupils instruction in school bus pupil safety each school year. The district shall conduct two (2) evacuations each semester with the first evacuation each semester being conducted within the first week in accordance with the Driver Training Instructor Manual, Chapter Eleven (11). The district shall retain documentation of emergency evacuation performance. Educational films, safety demonstrations or related information as approved by the Kentucky Department of Education, may supplement emergency evacuation drills.

702 KAR 5:030 Pupil Transportation Section 14. A district shall develop a plan providing all pupils instruction in SCHOOL BUS PUPIL SAFETY each school year.

So – what is School Bus Pupil Safety? What should be covered? Who should be taught? Who should teach? How long should it last? When should it be taught?

What must be covered? Who must be taught? Who must teach?

WHAT? Not specified in any statute or regulation “A DISTRICT SHALL DEVELOP” The content therefore is up to the local district

WHO must be taught? The regulation states “ALL PUPILS” This is an issue due to the fact that many districts do safety training on the bus with the pupils that typically ride the bus to and from school. Alternative scheduling ideas Special day with buses Classroom instruction vs “on the bus”

WHO must teach? Again, no statute or regulation covers this. We use the same requirement that ‘A DISTRICT SHALL DEVELOP’ Driver Trainer Director Driver Teacher

When? Sometime during the school year Earlier is better so they have the information while riding the bus

HOW LONG? The regulation does not give guidance Primary Students Upper Elementary Students Middle School Students High School Students

WHAT

Sample Training Plan for Primary Students • Waiting for the bus and getting on the bus safely • Staying where the driver can see you at all times • Getting off the bus safely • How to cross the road in front of the bus • Staying in your seat

Example of a modification: Primary students may not know exactly how much space 10-12 feet represents, so you may do an activity to show them. This can be combined with a mathematics lesson on measurement, using a real bus.

SAFETY PROCEDURES • Be at the bus stop a minimum of five minutes before the scheduled pick up time. • No horseplay or bullying while waiting at the bus stop. • Be aware of all traffic on the road, and stay back from the road at least 10-12 feet. • Wait until the bus driver motions before approaching the bus to load. • Watch and listen to the driver for directions when loading and unloading.

DANGER ZONES Be aware that the areas around the front of the bus and near the rear wheels is the most dangerous area. Make sure the driver can see you or will not where you are at all times.

LOADING AND UNLOADING • Stay back 10-12 feet from the road while waiting for the bus. • Never assume that all traffic has stopped. Wait for a signal from the driver before starting to enter or leave the bus. • Load in an orderly single file line being courteous to those around you. • Use the hand rail while going up or down the stairs. • Go directly to your seat while loading and move 10-12 feet away from the bus /roadway when exiting. • Never go in front of the bus or reach under the bus for something that you may have dropped. • You must always be in a location that is visible to the driver (see Figure 1). • If you must cross the road, do so at least 10’ in FRONT of the bus.

Safe Riding • Follow the directions of the bus driver and/or bus monitor at all times. • Go directly to your seat (a seat may be assigned by the driver). • Remain seated with your legs out of the aisle at all times. • Don’t put any body part or items out of the windows. • Respect the rights and safety of others. • Sit with your back next to the seat back. • There are certain items that you may not bring on the bus. Ask the bus driver, and follow his or her directions.

Sample Materials and Resources Buster the School Bus School Bus Safety – KYCSS Tools and Resources Back to School NSC - Bus Safety Curriculum, Videos, PSAs School Bus Safety Printable Worksheets and Quizzes School Bus Safety–CPS K-12 Materials and Checklist School Bus Safety–PowerShow Power Point Presentations School Bus Bullying Signs of School Bus Bullying

Walkers Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk and you must walk in the street, walk facing traffic Before crossing the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming Never dart out in front of a parked car Parents: Practice walking to school with your child, crossing streets at crosswalks when available Never walk while texting or talking on the phone Do not walk while using headphones

Bike Riders Always wear a helmet that is fitted and secured properly Children need to know the rules of the road: Ride single file on the right side of the road, come to a complete stop before crossing the street and walk the bike across Watch for opening car doors and other hazards Use hand signals when turning Wear bright-colored clothing

Bus Riders Teach children the proper way to get on and off the bus Line up 10 feet away from the curb as the bus approaches If seat belts are available, buckle up Wait for the bus to stop completely before standing Do not cross in front of the bus if possible, or walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the other drivers

Drivers, Share the Road Don't block crosswalks Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and take extra care in school zones Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians Never pass a bus loading or unloading children The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus

Crossing Streets Safely Tips for crossing the street safely: STAY on your side of the road — far back from the road edge and away from traffic. WAIT for the bus to stop and LOOK for the driver's signal to cross the street. Making eye contact with the bus driver is important for safely crossing a street. CHECK traffic both ways — then check again. CROSS the street directly across, checking traffic both ways. WALK about 12 feet (6 giant steps) ahead of the bus' bumper BOARD the bus quickly.

Exiting the Bus Tips for crossing the street safely after getting off the bus: WALK along the side of the road until you can see your bus driver. STOP and wait for the signal to cross from the driver. LOOK for traffic both ways. If you see a vehicle that has not stopped, go back to the bus immediately. CROSS the road quickly after all vehicles have stopped.

Stay Out of Bus Danger Zones Parents/guardians should help children learn about the bus "Danger Zones," such as the bus' wheels, front and rear. School buses will park bumper-to-bumper in a loading zone to prevent students or adults from walking between buses. Teach your child to stay at least 12 feet (6 giant steps) away from a parked school bus.

Avoid Using Gadgets Near Buses Headphones, cell phones and MP3 players are examples of gadgets that can distract children from knowing when a bus is approaching. Urge your children to wait to use gadgets such as these until they are a safe distance from the bus.

Remove Drawstrings Drawstrings on clothing can catch in school bus doors, as well as on playground equipment, fences and escalators. Remove or shorten drawstrings on children's shirts, jackets or backpacks, or replace drawstrings with another kind of fastener that does not have a knot on the end.

John Wyatt john.wyatt@education.ky.gov (502) 564-5279 extension 4421 KDE Contact Information https://education.ky.gov/districts/trans/Pages/default.aspx John Wyatt john.wyatt@education.ky.gov (502) 564-5279 extension 4421 Elisa Hanley elisa.hanley@education.ky.gov (502) 564-5279 extension 4406