The district makes school bus transportation available to all students living two or more miles from school, and to any students who are experiencing homelessness. This service is provided at no cost to students.

 

Bus routes and stops will be designated annually. Any subsequent changes will be posted at the school and on the district’s Transportation website. For the safety of the driver and all passengers, students must board district vehicles at authorized stops only and drivers must unload passengers at authorized stops only.

For information on bus routes and stops, contact GoldStar Transit at 817-306-0684 or Reola Bealer Moore at rbealermoore@ridegst.com.

 

A parent may designate a child-care facility or grandparent’s residence within the attendance zone of their school as the regular pickup and drop-off location for their child. The designated location must be an approved stop on an approved route. For information on bus routes and stops, or to designate an alternate pickup or drop-off location, contact GoldStar Transit at 817-306-0684.

 

Bus service is not provided to students assigned to the Alternative Discipline Center (ADC).

 

All eligible students will be permitted to ride the bus provided they conduct themselves properly and have a Bus Registration Form on file. While riding in district vehicles, including buses, students are held to behavioral standards established in this handbook, the GoldStar Transit Bus Rider Handbook, and the Student Code of Conduct. Students may be suspended from riding the bus due to misconduct. For the well-being and safety of all students, GoldStar Transit may request that male and female students are separated while riding the bus.

 

Bus safety is a primary concern of the school district. GoldStar Transit will attempt to balance the loads on school buses by assigning students to a certain bus. It is very important that a student ride their assigned bus.

 

Permission to get off the bus with another student must be approved by an administrator and the administrator must contact GoldStar Transit by noon and give a note to the bus driver.

 

Permission for a friend to ride home with another student must be due to an emergency situation and the friend must be a registered bus rider with GoldStar Transit. The school will need to call GoldStar to verify the friend is a registered bus rider. Once verified, an administrator must approve a note written by the parent,  and the note then be given to the bus driver. If the student is not a registered bus rider, GoldStar cannot transport them due to safety concerns and TEA Transportation Guidelines.

 

Students should report to the designated bus loading area as soon as the bell rings in order to avoid missing the bus.

 

When riding in district vehicles, including buses, students are held to behavioral standards established in this handbook, the GoldStar Transit Bus Rider Handbook, and the Student Code of Conduct. Students are expected to maintain the cleanliness of the district vehicle.

 

The guidelines that govern riding the school bus are listed below. In an effort to make bus riding as safe as possible for all students, the enforcement of these rules will be very rigid. The student’s conduct and behavior on the school bus is extremely important for bus safety.

 

• First offense – driver will make a written referral to the campus administrator and contact the parent. The campus administrator will determine if additional consequences are warranted. The campus administrator must contact GoldStar Transit at tmeads@ems-isd.net.

 

• Second offense – the student may be suspended from riding the bus for three (3) days and other alternative discipline may be enforced, at the discretion of the campus administrator. The campus administrator must contact GoldStar Transit at tmeads@ems-isd.net.

 

• Third offense – the student may be suspended from riding the bus for five (5) days and other alternative discipline may be enforced, at the discretion of the campus administrator. The campus administrator must contact GoldStar Transit at tmeads@ems-isd.net.

 

• Fourth offense – the student may be suspended from riding the bus for the remainder of the semester and other alternative discipline may be enforced, at the discretion of the campus administrator. If the offense occurs during the last six weeks of a semester, it may be extended to the following semester. The campus administrator must contact GoldStar Transit at tmeads@ems-isd.net.

 

The campus administrator has the authority to skip steps for serious violations, or repeat them if necessary.

 

General Bus Rules

 

1. All school rules are in effect on the bus.

2. Obey the instructions of the bus driver. At no time will a student act toward, or address comments to the bus driver in a disrespectful manner or refuse to cooperate with the driver.

3. Board and leave the bus at designated stops only.

4. Only students who are eligible to ride may be transported. Students must ride their assigned bus.

5. Do not ask to ride home on another bus with a friend without a note from home approved by the principal.

6. The bus driver will not discharge riders at other places than the regular bus stop unless proper authorization is provided from a campus administrator.

7. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide transportation to school if a child misses the bus.

8. If you do not ride for three days, you must call the transportation office (817-306-0684) or the bus may not come by again until contacted.

9. If you are injured and are required to use crutches, please contract GoldStar Transit immediately.

10.Food and/or canned or bottled drinks are not allowed on the bus.

 

1. Be at your bus stop five minutes before scheduled pickup time. The driver will not wait or honk.

2. Stand on the sidewalk or back from the roadway while waiting for the bus.

3. When the bus approaches, form a line and be prepared to load immediately.

4. Stand clear of the bus until it comes to a complete stop, and until red loading lights come on.

5. “Horseplay” is not permitted around the bus.

6. Parents should instruct their children on what procedures to follow if the bus is missed.

7. Students will adhere to the individual campus rules and regulations concerning bus students, including conduct and dress code.

 

1. Do not push or shove.

2. Use the handrail and steps. Carry large bags and objects in front of you.

3. Go to your assigned seat. The bus will not move until all students are seated.

4. Students will sit in their assigned seats at all times.

 

1. Bus riders are expected to be courteous to fellow students, the driver, driver assistants, and monitors.

2. Remain seated while the bus is moving. Each student will be expected to remain seated for the duration of the trip and remain seated until the bus door opens.

3. Do not change seats. The driver is required to assign seats.

4. A student shall not refuse to sit in an assigned seat or deny another a place to sit.

5. Keep feet, books, instrument cases, packages, coats, and all other objects out of the aisles.

6. Help look after the safety and comfort of small children.

7. Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times until leaving the bus. Do not put any body parts outside the window.

8. “Horseplay” is not permitted on the school bus.

9. Normal conversation is permitted; any loud noises may distract the driver and create an unsafe condition.

10.Students must be quiet when approaching a railroad crossing stop.

11.Scuffling, fighting, and the use of obscene, vulgar, or profane language and gestures is prohibited.

12.Do not throw objects inside or out of the bus. Vandalism costs will be paid by the person who is responsible.

13.Bus riders should never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment. The emergency door and exit controls should be used by students only during supervised drills or actual emergencies.

14.Students will never attempt to sit in the driver's seat or operate the passenger door or other driver control, except in cases of extreme emergency.

15.Students shall face forward for the duration of the trip and shall keep their feet on the floor in front of them and out of the aisle. Keep all body parts inside the bus and to yourself.

16.Assist in keeping the bus clean and sanitary at all times.

17.Damage to seats, etc., must be paid for by the offender.

18.Any items left on the bus will be taken to the school office.

 

1. Stay seated until the bus is completely stopped.

2. Use the handrail and take one step at a time when leaving the bus.

3. Wait for your turn to leave the bus; pushing and crowding will only slow exiting and may cause an accident.

4. You must use your assigned stop at all times (A.M. and P.M. routes).

5. Stay clear of the bus when unloading. Do not chase or hang on to the bus at any time.

6. If any article drops or rolls near or under the bus, do not go after it. Go to the door of the bus and ask the driver for help.

 

1. All students living on the left side of the roadway should exit the bus and move to a point 10 to 15 feet in front of the right bumper and wait for the driver to signal you that it is safe to cross.

2. Check in both directions and walk directly across the road.

3. Never cross behind the bus.

4. CAUTION! Be alert for the vehicles that do not stop when the bus is loading or unloading students.

5. Cross all streets at intersections. Obey all traffic signals and signs on your way home.

 

1. Follow the driver's instructions.

2. If you must exit the bus, stay in a group.

   a. The student nearest the door will open the door and hold it open.

   b. Exit the bus in a single file line as quietly as possible.

   c. Evacuation will start with the seat closest to the door.

   d. Once outside the bus, follow the driver’s instructions completely.

 

1. Bus rider rules apply to all school-sponsored events. 

2. Discipline will be the responsibility of the building principal and the trip sponsor.

3. The bus must return clean when returning from the trip.

 

1. Tobacco, alcohol, and glass containers. The eating of food and candy is prohibited on the bus. (The chewing of gum is also prohibited.) 

2. Live animals or insects.

3. Weapons, explosive devices, matches or cigarette lighters, harmful drugs or chemicals.

4. Any object (musical instrument, shop project) too large to be carried by the student. All other items must be kept on the student's lap at all times.

5. Radios or portable/wireless speakers.

6. Skateboards.

7. Athletic balls such as basketballs, tennis balls, footballs, etc.

8. Taking pictures or recording is prohibited.

 

Misconduct will be punished in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct; the privilege to ride in a district vehicle, including a school bus, may be suspended, or revoked.