PIONEER
Union School District
Transportation
The PUSD Transportation Department provides stops throughout the district and ensures students are delivered in a safe and timely manner to school and home. These services are provided at low cost and some families may qualify for special assistance. Student use of our bus service is encouraged as it reduces traffic in our communities and at school sites.
Riding the School Buss
Is your child going to be riding the bus?
Start here by filling out the Bus Application.
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Fill out an application
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We require an application to be filled out every year, whether your student has ridden before or not. We must have an application on file prior to your student riding the bus. You can fill out an application online or in person in our office.
Only one application needs to be completed per household.
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Email transportation questions to Ann Sirochman asirochman@pioneerusd.org
Bus Rules
SPECIAL NOTICE: In 2006-2007 all Pioneer Union School District buses began using surveillance cameras to monitor student rider behavior. Students and parents are hereby notified that the surveillance cameras on the buses may be used at any time to monitor student rider behavior and the recordings may be used as evidence in student disciplinary investigations and/or actions.
This outlines the student requirements for maintaining the privilege of riding a school bus. Driving a school bus is an important responsibility for a school bus driver under normal conditions. However, it can become hazardous when a driver has their attention diverted by any disturbances on the bus. The lives of our children are literally in the hands of our drivers. Policy #5131.1 of the Board of Trustees, Bus Conduct, gives the bus driver absolute jurisdiction over the conduct of all students being transported on the bus. All students will be expected to adhere to these bus regulations or possibly lose their bus privileges.
Our school buses will be treated as if they were classrooms. Referrals/Bus Citations will be issued. IN ADDITION, school consequences for inappropriate behavior may be issued.
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Pupils riding the buses are required to go immediately to the bus stop upon departure from home in the morning, and are required to report home immediately after being discharged from the bus at the end of the school.
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Orderly behavior is required at all bus stops and while on the bus. No pupil is permitted to interfere with or to mistreat the property of another pupil while riding on, waiting for, or going to and from the bus.
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Throwing of any items in, at, or around the bus at any time is prohibited.
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No live animals, glass items, sharp objects, or incendiary devices shall be transported on a school bus.
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The use of all electronic devices of any type are not allowed on home/school routes without driver permission.
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Science specimens are to be encased in safe containers of pliable plastic or cardboard. Glass containers will not be allowed.
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The driver may move children from one seat to another at their discretion. Children may also be assigned a permanent seat at the discretion of the driver. Children are expected to remain seated, not turning around in seat, keeping the aisles clear at all times, including red light stops.
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All parts of the body, arms, and head must be kept inside the bus at all times.
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Eating, drinking (except water), chewing gum, or leaving trash of any kind is not permitted on the bus.
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All children are expected to exit the bus at their regular assigned stop. Exceptions may be permitted on a space available basis only when a parent submits a signed note to the respective school office and then in turn to the bus driver. Without such authorization bus drivers cannot permit children to enter or leave the bus at any other than their regular stops.
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State law requires all children to cross streets in front of the bus when departing - - never behind. Pupils who must be escorted across the street shall exit the bus and remain by the bus door until the driver tells them to cross the street.
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Pupils are to remain seated, quiet, and orderly at all “red light” stops.
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Parents will be held responsible for any malicious damage to the buses by their children.
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Throughout the period of time children are aboard the bus they are directly responsible to the driver for their conduct and actions. Children are responsible for their behavior. Any behavior or conduct deemed unsafe by the driver is subject to disciplinary action.
Other Rules as Posted in Each Bus
Follow directions the first time given.
Remain seated at all times.
Use classroom voices at all times.
Keep hands, arms, legs, and objects to yourself and inside the bus.
No rudeness, teasing, or obscene gestures on the bus.
Our buses will be treated as if they are classrooms for behavior purposes.
Please Note: When the student is denied the privilege of transportation, both field trips and sports trips are also included in the denial.
Immediate suspension of transportation may be invoked for infractions deemed extremely hazardous to the safety of the bus. When a pupil is denied transportation, it is the parent's responsibility to provide transportation to and from school. Bus transportation is a privilege offered by districts, not a right provided by law. Parents are required to sign and return referrals/citations or students may lose transportation privileges until signed. In all instances every attempt to contact parents will be made prior to the issuing of a referral/bus citation.
Bus Safety
Students are at much greater risk of being injured as a pedestrian in a school bus loading zone than as a passenger
in a school bus. Most of the children killed in school bus-related crashes are pedestrians, age’s five to seven, struck getting
on or off the bus. Parents must ensure that their children
know how to safely travel to and from the school bus stop,
wait at the stop, get on and off the school bus, and behave while riding the bus.
Kindergarten students will not be released from the bus
unless a parent, guardian or other designated adult
is present at the stop.
Tips for Parents
1. Walk your children to and from the school bus stop.
2. Stay with your children in the morning until they board the bus. This is especially important with young children.
3. Supervise your children to make sure they get to the stop on time. Wait five giant steps from the road, and avoid rough play.
4. Teach your children to ask the driver for help if they drop something near the bus. If a child stoops to pick up something, the driver cannot see the child and the child could be hit by the bus. A book or backpack helps keep loose items together.
5. If you think a bus stop is in a dangerous place, talk with your school transportation director about the possibility of changing the location.
6. Review your child’s clothes and school items for safety:
a. Drawstrings, straps and dangling items can become caught on the school bus handrail or door. Make sure clothes have no loose
drawstrings and backpack straps are short.
b. Yellow rain coats blend in with the school bus and make the child less noticeable to the school bus driver.
7. When unloading, look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (right side of the road) Move away from the side of the bus.
8. When having to cross the street in front of the bus, you may only cross the street while the bus driver is out of the bus, standing in the roadway and holding the Stop sign. The Red lights will be flashing and the driver will give the signal to cross.
9. After crossing the street, never cross the street again to return to the bus. If an item is left on the bus, you may get it the next day.
