Bus Stop Safety
Safety at the bus stop is an integral part of your students ride to school and back home. In the 2009-2010 & 2010-2011 school years Georgia had seven (7) fatalities, five (5) serious injuries, and four (4) near misses when students were getting on and off the school bus. With this in mind the Georgia Department of Education has developed a structured curriculum that will be taught at the K-5 level. A link is provided below that gives an overview of this curriculum. Please feel free to read and share with your children as this will assist us in the education on Bus Stop Safety by clicking the following link.
GaDOE Danger Zone Handout
Bus Stop Safety Quick Reference
The guidelines given below are designed to promote student safety at the bus stop:
- Students who must cross the road to board a bus should never do so until the bus has come to a complete stop, the proper warning signs are displayed, and the driver motions for students to cross.
- Students should cross the road in front of the bus, never cross the road behind the bus.
- Students should always stand a safe distance from the road (at least five feet).
- Students who must cross the road after exiting from the bus should always cross at least ten (12) feet in front of the bus after looking in both directions for traffic and after the driver motions for students to cross.
- Students should never run to or from the bus.
- Students should be at their assigned bus stop five minutes prior to the arrival of the bus.
Parents should
Make sure your child is at the bus stop five minutes early. Never be late. Haste increases the chance of accident. Review bus safety rules with your child and stress the necessity of observing them. The bus driver is an employee of the school system and merits the respect and courtesy due all school personnel. Teach your child to obey the bus driver. Actively cooperate with school officials and school bus drivers regarding appropriate conduct of your child at the bus stop and on the bus. Student behavior on school buses is considered an extension of classroom behavior. Students whose conduct affects their safety or the safety of others on board must receive careful attention. Parents play an important role in educating children on the rules of school bus safety. Remind your child to walk on the shoulder of the road on the way to the bus stop, where possible, and not on the traveled portion of the road. Remind your child to wait in a safe place, well off the road, until the bus comes to a stop. Students should not move toward the bus until the bus and all traffic have stopped. Students should stop and look before crossing the road when preparing to board or depart the bus. It is very important to look - do not expect approaching traffic to stop. Periodically remind your child of the importance of mannerly and orderly behavior at the bus stop. Periodically check on students at the bus stop. Accompany very young children to the bus stop and meet them on their return from school when possible.
Motorists should
Watch for children at bus stops and as they get on or off the bus. Use special caution during school hours and obey school bus "Stop" arms. Always watch for the unexpected.
How do I apply to be a bus driver?
You can apply online by visiting the Paulding County Schools website
http://www.applitrack.com/paulding/onlineapp
Applicants must have a valid driver's license and be 21 years of age. A 7 year MVR will be checked on all applicants. Applicants do not have to have a CDL (commercial driver's license) to apply. The Transportation Department will provide the training required for qualified applicants to receive their CDL.
Training classes are normally given every month, depending on the number of applicants who have a completed application on file.
Paulding County School District
Transportation Department
522 Hardee Street
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: 770-443-8035
Fax: 770-443-8037
