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Transportation

All transportation for the Princeton Public Schools is provided by the Palmer Bus Service. Please contact Palmer Bus Service to setup school busing services, and for event activity transportation.

Passenger Rules and Information

WHEN GOING TO THE BUS STOP

  1. Use sidewalks where provided.
  2. If there are no sidewalks, walk single file on the left side of the street or roadway facing traffic.
  3. Cross streets at corners.
  4. Use a direct route. Avoid using alleys or crossing through private property to get to the bus stop.
  5. Arrive at your bus stop five minutes before your scheduled pickup time. The school bus driver will not wait for late students.
  6. Be aware of suspicious individuals (young, old, male, female) on foot or in motor vehicles. Report such persons to your bus driver or school principal.
  7. EVEN IF YOU MISS THE BUS, DO NOT ACCEPT RIDES FROM STRANGERS.

RULES AT THE BUS STOP

  1. Stay away from the street, road, or highway when waiting for the bus. Line up at least three feet away from the street in an orderly fashion and wait until the bus stops before boarding.
  2. Respect the property of others while waiting at your bus stop. Do not pick flowers or shrubs, throw stones, snowballs, litter, etc.
  3. Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.
  4. Do not use offensive or foul language.
  5. Avoid standing in and blocking sidewalks and driveways.
  6. No pushing, fighting, harassment, intimidation, or horseplay.
  7. Do not run to the curb when the bus comes. Stay back until the bus is actually stopped. (A push at the middle or end of the line can send the front person into the bus or under it's wheels.)
  8. Older students should be helpful to younger ones.
  9. No use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.

BOARDING THE BUS

  1. Wait until the bus has stopped and the door is open before walking toward the bus.
  2. If you must cross the street, always cross in front of the bus where the driver can see you. Wait for the driver to signal to you before crossing the street.
  3. Board the bus single file - do not push or shove.
  4. Use the hand rail to keep from slipping, falling, or tripping.
  5. Say "hello" to your bus driver.
  6. Move immediately to a seat without crowding, shoving, disturbing, or stopping to talk to others. Make room for others needing a seat.
  7. Put large items (book bags, packages, etc.) in seat area or under the seat, but never in the aisle.

Drivers may assign seats in the front of the bus to students who have special needs or whom have not followed the bus rules. Drivers, at their discretion, may assign seats throughout the entire bus to avoid misconduct. We strive to ensure the safety of our passengers and ask that when the bus in not at a full capacity, that we not use the three rear rows of seats in the buses.

RIDING ON THE BUS

  1. Cooperate with the driver.
  2. Do not push or shove for any reason.
  3. Absolutely no smoking, lighting of matches or lighters on the bus.
  4. Keep arms and legs out of the aisle to prevent tripping others while they board or exit.
  5. Open windows half way only if the driver permits you to do so. Keep hands, arms and heads inside the bus.
  6. Do not stand or move around while the bus is moving. You are only safe if you are seated.
  7. Absolutely no tampering with the bus radio, controls, or equipment.
  8. Keep conversations tones to a normal level. Too much noise by yelling, screaming, etc. can interfere with the bus driver's duties and create a safety hazard.
  9. Do not distract the driver. A bus driver needs to keep his/her attention on driving.
  10. Be especially quiet at railroad crossings of other busy intersections.
  11. Save snacks and eating for other places.
  12. Encourage your friends to cooperate with the driver by using good conduct on the bus.
  13. Keep feet off seats or the back of seats.
  14. Avoid any kind of behavior that could cause damage to the bus.

It is a privilege, not a right, to ride the school bus.

Parent Responsibilities

As a vital member of the "School Bus Safety Team", the parent or guardian can help provide a safe and pleasant experience. One of the primary ways in which you may help is by reviewing safety training with your children on a regular basis.

What do I need to do as a parent of a student who uses transportation?

  • Provide the school office and transportation office with accurate student information including the student's name, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information for the parent/guardian, and day care information.
  • Arrange for your students to be at their bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. Under no circumstances should students arrive at the bus stop more than 10 minutes prior to the schedule pick-up time.
  • Be aware that the bus will pick up and drop off students at the same stop every day school is in session.
  • Help your children learn their school name and bus number/animal. Students in grades K-2 should have a "bus pass" fastened to their backpack.
  • Review with your children the bus safety rules.
  • Accompany younger children to the bus stop and meet the bus at the end of the day for the first days of school,
  • or arrange for an older child or child care provider to be at the bus stop for the first days of school.
  • Understand that the bus pick-up and drop-off times are based on existing weather and road conditions. Traffic congestion, road construction, inclement weather and population changes may cause minor adjustments in pick-up times. Parents will be notified of any major changes in bus schedules that will affect their child.
  • Remain alert to impending weather and have your child properly clothed for the current weather conditions. Also, consider in advance how long you child will be waiting at their bus stop possibly during conditions that may include extreme cold and wind chills.
  • Provide the child with a book bag or knapsack for books and loose papers, pencils, etc.

Top Ten Safety Tips

  1. Always stay out of the danger zone around the school bus. The danger zone is in front of the bus, behind the bus, and on both sides of the bus. The danger zone is 10 feet all the way around the bus.
  2. Before crossing the street, wait for the bus driver to give you the signal. If you have to cross the street to get on or off the school bus, cross in front of the bus. Make sure you see the driver and that they see you. Never cross in front of the school bus until the driver gives you the signal, and always look both ways to see if cars are coming before you cross.
  3. Use the buddy system when crossing the street. It's usually safer to cross the street in a group than it is to cross the street alone.
  4. Whenever possible, stay out of the last three seats of the school bus. Remember the driver can usually adjust to what's going on in front of, and on the side of the school bus, but has no idea of what the driver is doing behind him.
  5. Younger students should always sit toward the front of the school bus. This helps the school bus driver to keep track of them so that they get off at their proper destination.
  6. If you drop something when getting on or off the school bus, leave it. Tell the bus driver, your teacher, or your parents about whatever you dropped. Remember we can replace everything, but we can't replace you.
  7. Never approach a moving school bus. Stand 10 feet back, away from the curb. No pushing or shoving and always wait for the school bus to make a complete stop before trying to get on the school bus.
  8. Never stand up on a moving bus. If your driver had to make a sudden stop you could fall and get hurt and no one wants to see anyone get hurt.
  9. Tell someone if there's trouble. If something happens to you on the school bus tell your bus driver, teacher, principal, or parents about it. Everyone should have a safe and comfortable ride on the school bus. A safe ride is a happy ride.
  10. Never talk to strangers (STRANGER DANGER). If someone approaches you that you don't know and tries to talk to you, go away from them and tell an adult you can trust. (If this happens while you are waiting for your bus, let your bus driver know when he arrives.) Never tell a stranger your name, or take anything from a stranger, and definitely never get into a strangers vehicle. It is a privilege, not a right, to ride the school bus.

Please reference Policy 709 - Student Transportation Safety Policy

School Bus Safety Rules

  1. Stay out of the "Danger Zone" around the bus.
  2. Follow driver's instructions.
  3. Be on time for the bus--5 minutes early.
  4. Always SIT DOWN and face forward.
  5. Be Courteous. No pushing, tripping, swearing or yelling.
  6. No EATING or DRINKING.
  7. Keep your bus clean, Do not damage the bus.
  8. Keep your head and arms inside the bus window.
  9. Never throw objects inside or out of bus.
  10. No animals or dangerous objects on the bus.

It is a privilege, not a right, to ride the school bus.

This important information about school bus safety conforms to the laws and regulations of the State of Minnesota. We hope this information will help all citizens of District #477 be part of "The School Bus Safety Team" and create the safest school transportation system possible. During the first few weeks of school students will receive SCHOOL BUS SAFETY TRAINING. A student shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the following competencies and concepts:

  1. transportation by school bus is a privilege not a right
  2. district policies for student conduct and school bus safety
  3. appropriate conduct while on a bus
  4. the danger zones surrounding a school bus
  5. procedures for safely boarding and leaving the school bus
  6. procedures for safe street crossing school bus evacuation and other emergency procedures.

Palmer Bus Service

Phone: 763-631-5315
Fax: 763-631-5317
tracej@palmerbusservice.com

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