Woodstock Public Schools

2024 - 2025

Bus code of conduct and school bus rules

The school bus is an extension of your childs school day, and they are expected to follow the classroom/bus rules at all times.

• A bus will only stop at its designated stop. Please do not follow the buses if you miss your pickup time and have your child run to the bus from another stop. This is dangerous.

• Students are expected to clean up after themselves. We have many students and bus drivers with severe allergies, therefore eating on the buses is not allowed. Any trash created by students is expected to be cleaned up and thrown away.

• Please be aware: Students are allowed ONE additional pick up and drop off location/address for daycare purposes or for two parent (Divorced/Separated) households within Woodstock. We do not transport students (High School Aged) to work locations. We are not currently allowing students to ride other buses to friends' houses due to capacity issues.

• In an effort to keep our Woodstock Students safe we will make every effort to NOT CROSS students on Main roads (CT-169, 171, 197, 198) whenever possible. This may mean that your child has different buses in the morning and the afternoons. Please check carefully!

• Woodstock School Buses do not transport any students who live in other towns (for any purpose) You must be a resident of Woodstock in order to ride a Woodstock School Bus. No exceptions.

• All WES parents or caregivers must be present to receive their children off the school bus. In the event a parent is not present at the designated stop, the student will be returned to the elementary school for parent pick up. The school dismissal time begins at 3:25 and the buses are staggered for dismissal. Please allow a ten-minute window for your student to be dropped off.

• Unless given prior written permission, students are to ride their assigned bus only. This is to monitor capacity.

• Students should be at their assigned bus stop a minimum of five minutes before the scheduled bus arrival time and wait a safe distance from the road. They should not sit or play in the roadway. All students need to wait for the bus to completely stop before they move toward the bus and load, or to stand and get out of their seats to unload.

• Elementary students will have assigned seating. Middle School and High school assigned seats are at the discretion of the bus driver and DATTCO manager.

• Students are to remain in their seats and stay properly seated at all times. They are not allowed to move seats while the bus is in motion. They need to keep the isle clear of belongings, so no one trips while entering or exiting the school bus.

• Electronic devices are a privilege and not a right on our school buses as the school bus is an extension of the classroom. Children with phones are to keep their phone to themselves and not cause a distraction to the driver. Videotaping is not allowed on the buses by students.

• Conversation on buses need to be kept at an indoor level. Whistling, shouting, screaming, etc. are not acceptable. Students should refrain from talking with their driver unnecessarily and the drivers will do the same. This is for everyone safety. Students must keep their hands, arms, heads, and backpacks inside the bus at all times, and in their own seat/out of the isle.

• Parents are liable for damages to the bus property.

• Parents are responsible for transportation and school attendance during bus riding suspensions. After three write ups (by the school bus driver), a student may lose riding privileges' or receive disciplinary action by their respective principals.

• There is no smoking or vaping on our school buses.

• Transportation arrangements will not be honored from the previous school year. All requests must be updated for the current school year. Please verify your address, phone number, and transportation changes before August 15 of any school year.