Transportation
- "We Drive District Five"
- Contact Information
- Bus Schedule Information
- Bus Registration Form Grades 4K-12th
- General Bus Information
- FAQs
- Bus Procedures
- School Bus Safety Rules
- Bus Suspensions
- Activity Bus Program
- Safety Message to Parents, Students & Motoring Public
"We Drive District Five"
"We Drive District Five"
The mission of the Transportation Department is to provide safe and timely transportation for the students of our district. The Transportation Department is responsible for developing and executing District Five's transportation program in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and to support the policies of District Five. The transportation staff prepares bus routes and conducts school bus driver training for new drivers. Additionally, when a violation of the student behavior code occurs on a school bus or other district vehicles, the Transportation Office will investigate the situation and assign consequences accordingly. The Transportation Department also operates Activity Buses to support the school's sports, band, ROTC and other extracurricular programs within the District.
In preparation for the new school year, the Transportation Department is working to identify students who have elected to ride the bus upon our return before the end of July. Students who have registered through Final Forms will be assigned a bus according to the school they attend. Information about the school buses will be available the first week of August through the transportation office or the school. Information about bus stop locations and times will be available on the school's registration day.
As additional students elect to ride the school bus, bus capacities may become limited, requiring buses to be re-routed to meet these needs. In some cases, it may take up to fifteen work days to complete route adjustments before new students are allowed to ride. If routing changes are completed sooner, parents will be notified via email as to when their student(s) will be able to ride the bus.
Email is the preferred method of communication with our office. Please keep in mind that buses are monitored by the office during the morning and afternoon runs and it may be difficult to reach us by telephone during those hours (6:00-8:30 a.m. and 2:00-4:30 p.m.) If you have any questions please contact the appropriate transportation office listed below.
You may register to ride the bus through FinalForms, the online registration portal.
Bus schedules for the 2024-2025 School Year will be available after August 5, 2024 either at the appropriate Transportation Office or the school where your student attends. Additionally, transportation personnel will be at each school's "Registration Day" to assist parents and students with their bus information. In order to plan for effective and safe bus routes, changes will not be made to the routes until after September 5, 2023.
Chapin Transportation: 803-575-5856
Email: chapintransportation@lexrich5.org
Dutch Fork Transportation: 803-476-4990
Email: dutchforktransportation@lexrich5.org
Irmo Transportation: 803-476-3252
Email: irmotransportation@lexrich5.org
Special Needs Transportation: 803-476-3254
Email: specialneedstransportation@lexrich5.org
Contact Information
Chapin Area Schools
janton@lexrich5.org
Chapin Elementary, Lake Murray Elementary, Chapin Intermediate, Chapin Middle, Chapin High, CATE, Spring Hill High, Piney Woods Elementary
Dutch Fork Area Schools
Rhonda Watson, Dutch Fork Transportation Supervisor
Irmo Area Schools
Harbison West Elementary, Irmo Elementary, Leaphart Elementary, Nursery Road Elementary, Seven Oaks Elementary, CrossRoads Intermediate, Irmo Middle, Irmo High, CATE, Spring Hill High
Special Needs Transportation
Felica Andrews
Activity Program:
Jake Shealy, Activity Manager
District Transportation Office
Director of Transportation
School Bus Driver Employment
Payroll/Personnel
Mailing Address
Department of Transportation
School District Five of
Lexington and Richland Counties
1020 Dutch Fork Rd.
Irmo, SC 29063
Bus Schedule Information
School bus route schedules are made throughout the school year as new or additional riders are added to the bus. In order to plan a route effectively and safely, new requests for transportation may take up to 10 to 15 days to process additional riders.
Request for transportation may be made through the FinalForms online registration program.
Bus routes for the 2024-2025 School Year will be available after August 5, 2024 either at the appropriate Transportation Office or the school. Additionally, transportation personnel will be at each school's registration day to assist parents and students with bus information.
Questions regarding bus schedules and other transportation needs should also be directed to the appropriate Transportation Office at the following numbers:
Chapin: 803-575-5856 or 803-575-5857
Dutch Fork: 803-476-4990 or 803-476-4991
Irmo: 803-476-3252 or 803-476-3259
Special Needs: 803-476-3254 or 803-476-3255
Bus Registration Form Grades 4K-12th
General Bus Information
General Information
School bus transportation is a shared responsibility of the State Department of Education (SDE) and School District Five. This shared responsibility provides a transportation system that is safe, economical and efficient.
The South Carolina Department of Education role in school bus transportation is:
- Controls and manages all school bus transportation
- May adopt such rules and regulations necessary to carry out the duty of control
- Purchases buses and assigns the number of buses to districts
- Maintains and services school buses
- Approves bus routes
To this regard, the SDE has established the following laws relating to student transportation:
- Students who live within 1.5 miles of their school are not eligible for school bus transportation.
- The distance is normally measured from where the driveway enters a public access road to where the student lives to the entry point of the school.
- School bus stops cannot be placed closer together than .2 of a mile together.
- School bus stop cannot be added unless a student lives further than .3 of a mile from an existing stop.
- Bus stops should be made where there is an unobstructed view for at least 600 feet in either direction.
During severe weather, the driver may stop at the safest point nearest the home of each passenger on the route as long as they have a least 600 feet of visibility in both directions. However, the bus cannot leave the regular route.
Students attending a school by school of choice program are not eligible for school bus transportation. Students attending programs outside their school attendance zone are not authorized transportation.
Parents are responsible for the conduct and safety of their student(s) from their home to the bus stop and while they are at the bus stop until the bus arrives in the morning and after the bus departs in the afternoon.
School District Five school buses are equipped with video cameras. Parents are not allowed to review or receive a copy of these tapes due to privacy policies. Bus drivers cannot authorize the review of any tape.
School buses cannot be delayed during the route for the parents to talk to the driver. South Carolina law Section 59-67-245 states that "No person shall willfully and wrongfully interfere with the operation of a school bus, either public or private, by boarding, restricting movement or using threats, either physical or verbal, to the driver or any passenger while the bus is engaged in the transportation of pupils to and from school or any lawful school activity or while passengers are entering or leaving the bus nor shall any person willfully fail or refuse to obey a lawful order of a school bus driver relating to the occupancy of a school bus. The use of threatening, obscene or profane language addressed to the driver or any passenger entering, leaving or waiting for a school bus is disorderly conduct and any person convicted for the use of such language shall be punished as provided in Section 16-17-530. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to infringe upon the power and duties of duly constituted authorities."
Students riding a school bus home after school must move quickly to the bus after school is dismissed. At the appropriate time (within 5-7 minutes from dismissal) the buses will begin to depart.
Once the door is closed no additional students will be allowed to board the bus. The driver has already begun their safety procedures to move the bus and with the buses parked so close together, it would be very unsafe to stop the buses for any student. Students who miss the bus must report to the school administrator in the bus loading area. They will be instructed to contact an authorized individual who can take them home. Buses will not return to the schools to pick-up students who miss the bus.
When a student’s conduct creates an unsafe condition, the bus driver is required to stop the bus in a safe location or return the bus to the school to restore order. Students may be assigned consequences by the Transportation Office for misbehavior in accordance with School District Five's Student Behavior Code.
Students may use cell phones or computers while on the school bus. However, any use that distracts or disturbs the bus driver or the may cause bodily harm to students the bus driver will direct the student to place in the pocket or bookbag and follow-up with Transportation Supervisor.
Students must be quiet when the bus stops at any railroad crossings in order to allow the bus driver to complete their required safety sensitive requirements.
Pens, pencils and other sharp objects must be stored inside book bags or carrying case to prevent injuries.
Students may not transport any item on a school bus that cannot be safely secured in the student’s lap. This includes band instruments, lunch boxes, science projects, sports equipment and fund-raising items. All items brought on the bus must be secured in the student’s lap between their knees (under 3 feet) for the duration of the trip. No item may be placed in the aisles, under a seat, in another seat or on the engine compartment cover. A book bag with handles that extend must have the handle fully retracted. Students may not sit on any item nor place any item behind them in the seat.
Students interfering with the operation of the bus by pulling the emergency exits, windows or roof hatches or who open doors or attempt to open doors are subject to the Student Behavior Code and S.C. State law.
Students are required to be at their assigned bus stop 5 minutes before and remain at the stop for 5 minutes after the assigned stop time. This allows for delays of the bus due to traffic, weather, etc..
ACTIVITY PROGRAM (Field Trips)
All rules for the safe operation of a school bus and student behavior apply equally to the Activity Buses. Students suspended from a school bus are also suspended from riding any Activity Bus for the length of the suspension.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About School Bus Services
Why can’t the school bus come closer to my house and why don’t some students receive school transportation services?
School buses cannot stop in front of every eligible student’s home. There are three rules established by South Carolina state law that provide guidance to the school district regarding the placement of school bus stops.
Exceptions: Students with disabilities that live within the 1-½ mile zone may be eligible to receive transportation depending on the relationship between the student’s disability and transportation. Students that live within the 1 ½ mile zone that are required to walk through traffic hazard areas may qualify for service. State law requires that the school district show a direct correlation between the student’s safety and either railroad or highway traffic. Since these funds are very limited, the state encourages school districts to serve the youngest, most vulnerable students first. Remember, “hazard” only means traffic hazards. Other possible hazards such as wild animals, sexual predators, etc. are concerns that must be handled by parents and law enforcement or other public agencies.
Exceptions: Students with disabilities may qualify for special transportation services and may be eligible to receive transportation in front of their residence, assuming a safe stop can be identified. Also, students that are required to walk through traffic hazard areas to reach a bus stop may qualify for a closer stop. This decision is made by the local school district.
Bus stops must have a clear visibility of 600 feet in each direction, or a "School Bus Stop Ahead" sign must be located at a point 600 feet in each direction from a designated stop. Stops and turn-about shall not be made on blind curves, steep grades, or near the crests of hills or other unsafe traffic environment. Backing up a school bus is to be avoided.
What about during periods of bad weather?
During periods of inclement weather, buses may be allowed to stop along on their route at safe points nearest the house of each child in the afternoon only. However, this is not possible during the morning routes and parents must either driver their student(s) to the bus stop or to school.
Exceptions: Students with disabilities may be eligible to receive transportation at the curb in front of their residence depending on the relationship between the student’s disability and transportation. Students who must walk through traffic hazard areas to reach a bus stop may qualify for service.
Are young students also required to walk?
State law does not consider the age of a student as a factor, so a five-year-old girl receives the same level of service as a 19-year-old boy. Both students may have to walk up to 1½ miles to school or, if they are eligible for state-funded school transportation, they may have to walk up to three-tenths of a mile to access their bus route. The State Department of Education (SDE) believes that young children should receive service closer to their homes and has recommended this change to General Assembly, but no legislation has been passed that would authorize it. The SDE also works with local school districts to prioritize school bus stop locations and the use of state hazardous transportation funding for kindergarten through third-grade students.
Exceptions: Students attending half-day pre-school programs may receive a higher level of service. The trip for these students, either to school or back home, that does not include older students (kindergarten, first grade, etc.) will load or unload students as close as possible to their designated origins or destinations, respectively.
Why can’t the school bus come down my road?
In addition to the student eligibility rules, school buses are only allowed to travel on roadways that assure the safe transport of students. Safety is determined by the ability of the school bus to meet and pass another vehicle of equal size, and the roadway must be well-built enough to avoid damaging the school bus or creating the potential for an accident. The quality of the roadway during bad weather also must be taken into consideration. The safety of the student passengers must be given top priority. School buses are also restricted from using certain private roads. Private roads may only be used with the permission of the owner(s).
How many is too many students on a school bus?
Bus manufacturers determine the seating capacity of each bus, and this rating is usually shown on the manufacturer’s vehicle identification plate. Most South Carolina school buses have a rated seating capacity of 65 to 78 students. Buses that are designed to transport students with disabilities transport fewer students because these buses must make room for wheelchair lift systems and at least two wheelchair securement systems on each bus. Bus manufacturers calculate seating capacity by assigning 13 inches of seat width per student. Thirteen inches is the typical space needed for kindergarten through third-grade students, obviously older students take up more room. The SDE provides a guide to school districts that recommends the rated seating capacity be reduced for middle school students and for high school students. For example, a school bus rated to transport 78 first-graders would be able to transport 52 high school students. But the true test of a school bus’s capacity is whether a bus can safely transport the students assigned to ride. Safety is measured by the fact that every student must be fully seated on the seat cushion, not protruding into the aisle.
There are exceptions to this, however. State law permits school districts to transport students in standing room during the first 20 days of a school bus route. These 20 days usually occur at the beginning of the school year or immediately after the opening of a new school. The SDE reluctantly agrees with this law because school districts have no way to know how many students will be waiting at the bus stop for a ride on the first few days of a route until the bus actually runs the route. Therefore, there are locations that, on a given day, may have more students boarding the bus than there are seats. When this happens, the school district is required to make adjustments in school bus routing so that every student has a safe seat. If “standing students” were never allowed, a school bus driver would be required to leave students standing on the side of the road once the bus reached capacity. This would be a far more dangerous situation for the child. Consider the example of a five-year-old student waiting for the bus, but when the bus arrives, it’s full. The driver tells the child to wait on the side of the road for the next bus, which will be by in 20 minutes. Remember, the child may be standing in a remote location at 6 a.m. It is still dark, and the child’s parents may have already left for work. Children are rarely injured or killed inside a school bus, their greatest risk is walking to and from the bus stop and waiting at the stop.
Can I have my child picked up at one location in the morning and transported to another location after school?
Parents may choose to have their children picked up and/or dropped off at locations other than their homes. This state-funded service is available for students that are eligible riders, although the school bus stop must be in the attendance zone of the school the child is zoned to attend. The service allows students to be transported to and from day care facilities and/or other locations – a grandparent’s house, for example – at the parent’s request.
If you want your child’s school bus stop, morning and/or afternoon, to be at a location other than your residence, you must inform the school district or their representative in writing. School districts have a written procedure to manage this process. When changing the bus stop location for your child, you must give the school district adequate advanced notice so that changes in school bus routes or school bus assignments can be made. Our district will not allow changes more than once or twice a year. Always make sure that your request is in writing, and get a school district confirmation that the changed stop will be implemented on a specific date.
Can I change my child’s transportation plans for the afternoon trip?
Our district usually allows this with proper notice. The parent must submit a request in writing to the Transportation Office for their student's school. Due to certain limitations request may be denied in accordance with state guidelines.
What is the maximum ride time for my child?
State law does not limit ride time or distance. Although it is rare for a route to be longer than 1 hour and 30 minutes, this does sometimes occur. The SDE monitors ride times and tries to shorten them as much as possible within the limitations of the bus fleet.
Why can’t I get on the bus to talk to the bus driver?
State law does not allow parents or other adults to board a school bus or impede its progress in any way. This law protects the safety of students and helps assure that routes run on time. If a parent needs to speak with a bus driver, the parent should communicate with the district’s transportation supervisor and arrange a meeting with that driver.
Why can’t my child bring their band instrument home?
Although a student is allowed to carry items on the bus, these items must be held in the student’s lap and must not extend beyond the student’s seating space. The child is not allowed to sit on a book bag or similar carry-on item or store items on the floor of the bus. These are safety requirements. Therefore, students are not allowed to carry large music instruments, science projects, or other items that may protrude into the seating space of another student. Why? In the event of a traffic accident, carry-on items must be secured so they will not easily fly through the air inside the bus. These items must also not be allowed to block access to exits.
What can I do to make my child’s trip to school safe?
Accompany or arrange for an adult to accompany your child to the school bus stop and wait for the school bus to arrive. The same is true in the afternoon. Be at the school bus stop when the bus arrives and accompany your child home. State law places the responsibility for a child’s safety on the parent until the school bus arrives at the bus stop in the morning, and after the bus leaves the site in the afternoon.
Who sets school bus routes and schedules?
School bus routes and schedules are managed by the local school district or its agent. In creating routes, school districts must assure compliance with state law, including safe sight clearance for all school bus stops. The SDE provides assistance to each school district, but the district makes all final determinations.
Why is my child’s bus late? Are the school buses breaking down more often?
School buses are usually late for two reasons – either the bus had a mechanical problem or the bus driver was absent or late. Even though the state has a 99.6% rate of school bus availability, older buses do break down more often and cause students to be either late for morning classes or late arriving home in the afternoon. The two main goals of school transportation are to transport students safely and to get students to class on time for instruction. The older the fleet, the greater the chance the school bus will have a maintenance problem and students will be late for class.
Where should children stand at the bus stop? When should they be there?
Students are instructed to be at the school bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. The requirement that the student be at the school bus stop does not mean that a student who lives across the road from a bus stop should cross the road and be standing on the shoulder of the road at the passenger loading door side of the school bus. When the school bus driver says “Be at the bus stop,” the driver means that the student should generally be standing on the side of the road nearest to the student’s home. That’s because a school bus stop includes both sides of any two-lane road. Children are not required to cross a multilane road to access a school bus stop. The school bus is equipped with special equipment and lights to control traffic so that students can safely cross the road. Before crossing the road, students are always to watch the school bus driver and wait for the driver to verify that traffic following and meeting the bus has stopped. Once the driver has verified that the traffic has stopped and it is safe to cross the road, the driver will signal the students to cross. Students should check for traffic before crossing the road and watch the school bus driver as they cross in case the traffic environment suddenly changes. Students must never cross behind a school bus. When students cross in front of a bus, they must make sure that the bus driver sees them. The bus driver must acknowledge the student’s crossing. When parents are at a school bus stop to supervise children, they should follow the same road crossing rules as required of the children. Parents need to set a good example. When at the school bus stop, students should not stand next to the roadway. Students should stand away from the road until the school bus has come to a complete stop, the bus has activated the traffic control devices, and the driver has motioned the students to board the bus.
Are the school buses safe?
Yes, the buses are safe. The SDE is required to maintain, in original working order, all of each vehicle’s original safety equipment. However, the older a bus gets, the more differences there are when compared with a new one. For example, only buses purchased after 2000 have alarms that assure that sleeping students are not left on the bus. Buses built after 1999 have anti-lock braking systems; those built after 1998 have seat covers made with fire-blocking material; those built after 1994 have rooftop strobe lights and forward and backup alarms; those built after 1989 have emergency roof and window exits.
Can my child be required to sit in a designated school bus seat?
Yes, students can be assigned to a seat. This is a practice used by many school districts to control behavior on the school bus. State law gives school districts this authority.
Who do I call if I have a problem with the behavior on the school bus or questions about school bus transportation?
You should direct your inquiry to the Transportation Office for your area of the school your child attends.
Why are there no seat belts on school buses?
School buses are designed with a “compartmentalized” passenger safety system. “Compartmentalized” basically means that the interior of the bus is designed with seats that are strong, flexible, padded and spaced precise distances apart to protect student riders. In addition, the exterior construction is designed to prevent the penetration of objects into the passenger area or the collapse of the roof. The compartmentalization system is “passive,” meaning that students only need to sit down in the bus seat. They don’t have to put on or attach any kind of device to gain an increased level of safety.
Research shows that school buses with compartmentalization are the safest passenger transportation vehicles – 70 times safer than the family car and four times safer than train travel. A recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) concluded that lap belts in school buses create an unsafe situation. The same NHTSA study found very minimum safety benefit to lap/shoulder belt systems on school buses. Lap/shoulder belt systems are also very costly. To install them on all school buses in South Carolina would cost $39 million. The State Department of Education believes that this investment of tax dollars can be better spent improving other school transportation services that would have greater safety benefits.
Bus Procedures
Bus Registration Procedures
All students who wish to ride a school bus must send a completed Final Forms for the current school year to the Transportation Office for their assigned school. Students are not authorized to ride any bus without a completed registration form on file. Students who ride any bus without authorization will be suspended from all buses. New registrations may take up to 10 days for processing and route assignment. Please contact your transportation office for details.
Riding Home With A Friend
All students riding the school bus must have a current School Bus Registration form on file with the Transportation Office responsible for the school the student attends. Students who complete a registration form but do not ride the bus for a two-week period or more will be removed from the bus roster in order to ensure buses are utilized to the maximum usage unless arrangements have been made by the parents with the Transportation Office. Parents of non-registered bus riders who wish to ride the bus (i.e. riding home with a friend) must contact the appropriate Transportation Office at least 24 hours in advance to request authorization. This request allows the Transportation Office to ensure the bus is not overcrowded and to notify the driver is aware of an additional rider. However, in some cases, a bus may be “Locked Out” and additional riders will not be approved.
Notes to the school or bus driver do not serve as a proper request and may not be approved. Students attempting to ride a bus may not be allowed to board the bus and the student/parent will be responsible for providing their own transportation to or from school. Additionally, students who are registered to ride the bus and wish to get on or off the bus at a different stop (other than their assigned stop) must have authorization from the Transportation Office to do so. Parents must call the Transportation Office the day before to receive permission for the student to get on or off the bus at another stop. (Notes to the school or bus driver will not be accepted and the student will be released at their assigned stop).
Kindergarten Students
Parents/guardians with approved custody must be present to receive a kindergarten student from the bus. Parents may elect to designate other adults (grandparents, guardian, friend, fifth grade student or older...etc) to receive their students. Kindergarten Student Release forms are available from the elementary schools or the appropriate Transportation Office.
When a parent or authorized guardian of a kindergarten students is not at the bus stop to meet the student they will be returned to their elementary school usually at the end of the elementary bus route. If this is a persistent issue the parent will be notified that the student will not be allowed to ride the school bus.
Bus Delay Notifications
The Transportation Office utilizes the District's automated message system to notify parents of certain school bus delays. This program will text (and/or email) messages to be sent to the parent/guardian when the bus is delayed by more than 15 minutes of the scheduled pick-up or drop-off time. Parents will receive a text from Lexington-Richland School District 5 asking them to "opt-in" to receive these messages. You must reply "YES" to this text to receive future messages regarding bus delays. You will receive a confirmation text which will also notify you about how to "Opt-out" of this system. Please understand that "opting-out" may also remove you from other notifications from the district or your students' school.
School Bus Safety Rules
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY
The most important issue for the Transportation Department is the safety of every student who rides a school bus or activity bus. In order to ensure each student has a safe ride, the District Five Student Behavior Code applies to all students while at the bus stop, on the school bus or on any School District Five vehicle. Inappropriate behavior will be treated with the same level of scrutiny as inappropriate behavior in the classroom and will lead to appropriate school consequences in accordance with the Student Behavior Code and includes suspension from bus riding. In addition to the Student Behavior Code, students must also follow the Safety Rules listed below.
SAFETY RULES FOR BUS RIDERS
- No glass containers, baseball or softball bats, lacrosse sticks or skateboards are allowed on the bus.
- No spitting, eating or drinking on the bus.
- No profanity, verbal abuse, harassment, teasing, obscene or sexual gestures.
- No standing while the bus is in motion.
- No hanging any part(s) of your anatomy out a window or passing items through the window.
- No throwing or shooting any type of objects.
- No play fighting or horse playing.
- Do not ride any bus that you are not assigned to.
- Do not ride any bus during a suspension of bus privileges.
- Do not vandalize the bus or ignite any flammable object.
- Do not hold onto the bus from the outside.
- Do not make excessive noise or other disruptive behavior.
- Keep your feet, body and bags out of the aisle.
- Students must always obey the directions of the driver.
- Do not exhibit behavior that disturbs the students or driver.
- Talk quietly and avoid loud, boisterous behavior, including singing, clapping, stomping or yelling.
- No spraying of cologne, deodorant, body spray or any other type of chemicals or aerosols, pump spray or lotion while on the bus.
- Never tamper with the emergency exits or any other part of the bus including lights, horn, fire extinguishers and first aid equipment, unless there are reasonable grounds to believe that an actual emergency situation exits.
- Students may only board and exit the bus at their designated stop or school, unless otherwise approved.
- Be at the bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time.
- Do not use cell phones, iPods, MP3's, GameBoys or other devices that may cause disrupted or distractive behavior on the bus/to the bus driver.
Additionally, these rules apply on the school bus:
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- Students must not sit on their book bags or legs because a serious injury could occur if the child rises above the height of the seat.
- Students must sit in their assigned seats. They can be held responsible for any vandalism to their seat or in the general area of their seat.
- Students must be quiet when the bus approaches and crosses railroad tracks.
- Objects that the driver deems dangerous to other riders will not be allowed on the bus.
- Students are required to wear their Identification Card (ID Card) at all times while on the bus to include while boarding the bus at the bus stop or school.
Timeliness at Bus Stops
State policy requires students to be waiting at the bus stop when the bus arrives. Students should be at the bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time and remain at the bus stop for five minutes past scheduled pick-up time. This is a safety issue so that traffic is not delayed excessively and to ensure that students do not run at or near a moving bus. Students are considered late for the bus if they are not at the bus stop when the bus arrives. Once the bus has proceeded past the designated bus stop, it will not stop again.
School Dismiss Procedures
At the end of the school day, school buses will begin to depart within 7 minutes from release time. Once the door is closed no additional students will be allowed to board the bus. The drivers have already begun their safety procedures to move the bus and with the buses parked so close together, it would be very unsafe to stop the buses for any student. Students who miss the bus must report to the school administrator in the bus loading area. They will be instructed to contact an authorized individual who can take them home. Buses will not return to the schools to pick up students who miss the bus.
Oversized Objects on the Bus
State and federal regulations prohibit transporting items in school buses that obstruct access to all exits by any occupant or would cause injury as a result of falling or displacement. Items that will not fit on the student’s lap or between their legs will not be transported on district buses. School projects, items sold for fund raisers and other unsafe items such as live animals, glass objects, baseball or softball bats, lacrosse sticks, skateboards, sharp objects or similar items can not be allowed on the bus and must be transported to and from school by means other than the school bus. This includes baseballs, basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, volleyballs and tennis rackets unless they are kept in the student's backpack or in a separate bag. Parents must arrange to pick-up or deliver oversized or unsafe items in personal vehicles or items should be kept at school whenever possible. Please speak with your student's coach to make arrangement to keep items at the school or for items to be provided during practices or training sessions.
Band Instruments
The following list of instruments are considered to be too large to be transported on a school bus: French Horn, Drums, Baritone Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Cello. Schools usually provide an instrument to use at school when necessary.
Concerns About School Bus Driver
If you have a concern with the bus driver, please contact the appropriate area Transportation Supervisor. Do not approach the bus driver or stop the bus or interfere with the operation of the school bus in any way. South Carolina state law states that "no person shall willfully and wrongfully interfere with the operation of a school bus by boarding, restricting movement, using threats, either physical or verbal, to the driver or any passenger while the bus is engaged in the transportation of pupils; nor shall any person willfully fail or refuse to obey a lawful order of a school bus driver relating to the occupancy of a school bus". Call your area Transportation Office for any concerns you have about the driver.
Medical Concerns
Medical information or concerns that are shared with a school may not necessarily be available to the Transportation Department or bus driver. In order for the Transportation Department to be better prepared to handle an emergency, please forward any information or concerns relating to medical conditions for your student. This information will be kept confidential at all times. Contact the Transportation Supervisor for the area your student attends.
Bus Suspensions
CONSEQUENCES FOR STUDENTS WHO COMMIT A CATEGORY I - III OFFENSE ON A SCHOOL BUS:
In addition to the Student Behavior Code, the following School Bus Safety Rules must be followed at all times while on a school bus, activity bus or other district vehicle. Additional consequences, including bus suspension or school suspension may be given for any violation of these rules.
SCHOOL BUS SAFETY RULES
- No glass containers, baseball/softball bats, lacrosse sticks or skateboards are allowed on the bus.
- No spitting, eating, or drinking on the bus.
- No smoking or vaping at the bus stop or on the school bus.
- No profanity, verbal abuse, harassment, teasing, obscene or sexual gestures.
- No standing while the bus is in motion.
- No hanging any part(s) of your anatomy outside a window.
- No throwing or shooting any type of object.
- No play-fighting or horse playing.
- Do not ride any bus that you are not assigned to.
- Do not ride any bus during the suspension of bus privileges.
- Do not vandalize the bus or ignite any flammable object.
- Do not hold onto the bus from the outside.
- Do not make excessive noise or other disruptive behavior.
- Keep your feet, body, and bags out of the aisle.
- Do not block the aisle with band instruments, sports equipment or book bags.
- Students must obey the directions of the driver.
- Do not exhibit behavior that disturbs the students or driver.
- Talk quietly, but avoid loud, boisterous behavior, including singing, clapping, stomping, or yelling.
- No spraying of cologne, body spray or other types of chemicals or lotions while on the bus.
- Never tamper with the emergency exits or any other part of the bus, including horns, lights, fire extinguishers and first aid equipment.
- Board and exit the bus at their designated stop or school.
- Be at the bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time.
- Usage of cell phones, computers or other devices that cause a disruption on the bus or distraction to the driver may cause a bus suspension.
GENERAL PROCEDURES FOR TRANSPORTATION SUSPENSION
The Office of Transportation will assign suspensions from riding the school bus and other district vehicles for violation of the Student Behavior Code or School Bus Safety Rules while on a school bus or other district vehicle. Inappropriate behavior on a bus or in a school vehicle will also involve school-assigned consequences.
In any disciplinary incident in which safety is a concern, a student may be temporarily suspended from the bus pending the result of a full investigation. Investigations will normally be completed within 3 school days. No student will be removed from the bus until a transportation supervisor has made direct contact with the student’s parents/guardian. Parents have the right to appeal bus suspensions to the Director of Transportation in the same manner as suspensions from school.
When an out-of-school suspension and bus suspension are adjudicated for an incident, the suspension from riding the bus will begin after the completion of the out-of-school suspension.
Bus suspensions may be appealed to the Director of Transportation. A written request (letter or email) may be sent to the District Transportation Office to the attention of Harold Williams, Director of Transportation. The written request must be received within (3) days. and must list the reason(s) or justification for the appeal. Email appeals to Harold Williams at hwillia@lexrich5.org.
Activity Bus Program
School District Five Activity Bus Program
The purpose of the Activity Bus Program (Field Trips) for School District Five is to provide safe, reliable and cost effective transportation to support the many schools, athletic teams and other extra-curricular events with the district. During the 2017-2018 SY, we conducted approx. 2,000 activity trips with no "on the road incidents/accidents".
While on an Activity Bus or Field Trip, the Student Behavior Code applies to all students of School District Five. Any inappropriate behavior is subject to the consequences of the Behavior Code.
Recent additions to the Activity Bus fleet allow for transportation of students in wheelchairs.
Requests for Activity Buses can be made the through the Field Trip System. Trip requests must be made a minimum of 10 days in advance. Field trips can be requested as far in advance as the information is available.
Activity Buses are unable to support non-school related programs such as day cares, church or other private organizations.
Many of our Activity bus has 3-point lap and shoulder seat belts systems. Riders are encouraged to use these seatbelts appropriately
Safety Message to Parents, Students & Motoring Public
Messages to the students:
- Never cross close to the front of the bus - make sure the driver can see you.
- Never pick up anything you drop close to or under the bus - ask the driver what to do.
- Never run after a bus or bang on the side.
- If you must cross the street in front of the bus, follow the driver's directions, and stop and look before you cross.
- Never run across the street, it's better to miss the bus than rush and risk being hit by a car.
- Stay away from the rear or sides of the bus - always be in a safe place where the driver can see you.
Messages to the motoring public:
- Never pass a school bus when its stop lights are flashing.
- Be extra vigilant around school hours - assume a child might run out at any moment.
- Be courteous to school buses, give them room and let them change lanes when they need to.
- Never pass a school bus from the rear of the bus when amber lights are flashing, even on a multi-lane highway.