Students being transported are under the authority of the bus driver and are expected to obey the following rules:

Be at your assigned bus stop on time. Students and accompanying parents should arrive at the scheduled stop location at least 5 to 7 minutes before scheduled pick up time.
Wait patiently for the bus to arrive. Students should remain 12 to 15 feet from the roadway. Students required to cross the street should never approach the bus before the driver signals them to do so. Students who are not required to cross the street should never approach the bus until the driver opens the door. When entering or exiting a bus, students should remove headphones of any type and secure any loose items on clothing or book bags. If something is dropped, never return to the bus. Instead, move quickly to the 12-foot safety zone and wait for the driver’s signal.
Use the steps and handrail when entering or exiting the bus.
Take seats quietly and quickly without crowding or pushing.
Remain seated while the bus is in motion with hands, head, arms or objects safely inside the windows. At no time should a student be up on his/her knees facing the rear of the bus or crawling on the floor of the bus.
Never throw anything inside the bus or from the bus window.
Food, drinks, candy, or chewing gum are not allowed on bus except in a closed lunch container or bag. Schools should refrain from handing out the described items immediately prior to dismissal.
Tobacco/tobacco products are not allowed at school, on the school grounds, or the school bus.
No glass containers are allowed on the school bus.
Observe the appropriate school dress code.
Students should only utilize their assigned bus and their assigned bus stop. The school may approve a temporary bus pass if needed. This request must be submitted by the parent before 9 AM if approved the student may use an alternate bus, but service will only be provided to an existing bus stop location. Bus passes cannot be used to establish a new bus stop location or to alter an existing route schedule. A bus pass can be denied by the Transportation Department if it compromises the current capacity of the bus in question.
Do not use loud or screaming voice while entering the bus, on the bus, or exiting the bus.
Do not use vulgar, abusive, or rude language or act in an obscene manner, including obscene hand gestures to other students, bus drivers, and other personnel.
Respectful conduct toward the school bus drivers and other persons is required.
Keep books, book bags, feet and legs out of the aisle. Do not have pencils, pens and other objects out of book bags while on the bus.
Be courteous to the bus driver, fellow students, passers-by, and other motorists.
Fighting or possession of weapons on the bus are not allowed and will result in suspension from the bus.
Do not talk to the bus driver while the bus is in motion unless there is an emergency situation.
Face the front of the bus and use the front entrance to exit the bus, except in cases of emergency. Do not jump down the steps when exiting the bus.
Any object brought on a school bus must fit safely under the passenger’s seat or be held in the student’s lap. If held in the lap, the object cannot extend any higher than the passenger’s abdomen (below the chest). No items can block the aisle or emergency exit. This includes but is not limited to large band instruments, science projects, athletic equipment, and any field trip supplies. If students are on board, no exit or aisles can be blocked regardless of the need. Do not bring any type of live animals on the bus (this includes insects and reptiles).
Avoid displaying affection while on the bus.
The 12-foot zone around the bus is the danger zone. All students must move outside the danger zone as quickly as possible. At no time should students enter this zone unless the bus is stopped and the driver signals the student it is safe to approach the bus. If it is necessary to cross the highway after leaving the bus, follow these rules: Make certain the bus is stationary and the door is still open. Wait for the bus driver to give a signal to cross, look both ways, stay out of the line of traffic until the roadway is free of danger, then, proceed across the highway after the bus driver signals you to cross.
Students should never use emergency exits unless a drill or actual emergency is taking place.
Students shall not use mirrors, lasers, flash cameras or any lights or reflective devices or otherwise act in a manner that might interfere with the school bus driver’s operation of the bus.
Students shall not commit, or threaten to commit, an act of violence upon another student, any teacher, bus driver, or school official or employee while riding a school bus or while waiting to board a school bus. (See Rule 3 of the Student Disciplinary/Conduct Code).
Students shall not cause or threaten to attempt to cause physical injury or behave in such a manner as could reasonably be interpreted to cause an assault, battery or physical injury to a teacher, bus driver, or other school employee while riding a school bus or waiting to board a school bus (Code 20-2-751.6). In addition, if a student is found to have engaged in acts of physical violence on a school bus, as defined in Rule 4 of the Student Disciplinary/Conduct Code, the student shall be disciplined according to the provisions of Rule 4.
Students shall refrain from acts of bullying other students while riding a school bus or waiting to board a school bus. (See Rule 14 of the Student Disciplinary/Conduct Code). If a student is found to have engaged in bullying or to have committed a physical assault or battery of another student on the school bus or at the bus stop, in addition to other punishment provided under the Student Disciplinary/Conduct Code, it shall be required that the student and a parent/guardian for the student 14meet with the appropriate school official to develop a school bus behavior contract for the student as required by O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.5(2).
Students shall refrain from acts of vandalism, graffiti, or defacing property.
Students shall refrain from other bus misconduct which includes, but is not limited to, misconduct that involves drugs or alcohol.

Note: Riding the bus is a privilege. Students riding the bus must comply with the requests of the driver and all bus regulations as defined by the Griffin-Spalding County School System. students who refuse to obey bus regulations are subject to lose their riding privileges.

Griffin High School

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Academic Standards Information

Asbestos

Attendance

Attendance - Compulsory Attendance Law (Secondary)

Attendance - Truancy Administrative Procedures

Attendance - Early Dismissal From School

Attendance - Perfect Attendance & Certificate of Attendance

Bullying & Cyberbullying

Bus Transportation: Regulations for Students Transported by GSCS

Clubs & Organizations

Complaint Procedure (Policy KN)

Complaint Process: Steps to the High School Parent Complaint Process

Entrance Age

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Grievance Procedures / Gender Equity in Sports

Hall Passes

Health Policy

Healthy Relationships

Homeless Students

Hospital / Homebound

Loitering at or Disrupting Schools

Medication

Non-Discrimination Statement

Parent & Family Engagement Information

Parent Notification

Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)

Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

Residency Verification

School Volunteers

Search & Seizure Policy

Secret Societies (Gangs)

Sexual Harassment

Student Code of Conduct - Parental Involvement

Student Code of Conduct - Rules

Student Discipline

Student Support Policy (IGB)

Technology Acceptable Use Agreement

Title I Information

Visitors

Wellness - Social and Emotional Survey