Bus Information

Bus routes are updated annually. We have two bus contractors who serve several school districts, so their inventory of drivers and buses can change from year to year. We attempt to be as consistent as possible, but as zones change and traffic patterns are altered due to road construction and other issues, we must change our routes accordingly. Changes to bus routes are posted to the district web site in early June and linked from every school site. We also release information to the local newspaper and send a voice mail reminder to parents about the update being available. As drivers work the routes planned at the beginning of the year and see how many children get on the bus at each stop, slight changes can occur. When the school year begins, any route changes will be forwarded to the affected school(s) and relayed by school administrators, in addition to being noted on the website.

Bus Routes

Bus Rules

RULES

Riding a bus to and from school in the Maryville City School system is a privilege not a right. All students must understand and observe good conduct, courtesy, cooperation, and respect for the authority of the bus driver. Copies of the rules are clearly posted on each bus as a daily reminder.
Follow the bus driver's directions the first time they are given.
The bus driver can assign seats for misbehavior.
Keep all parts of your body inside the bus and keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Students must be seated except when boarding or exiting the bus.
Drivers have the right to prohibit students from doing anything that might distract the driver - including noise or actions that might threaten the safety of the bus.
Any student who willfully damages the bus will not be able to ride until making reparations with the bus owner.

BUS CONDUCT

In order to maintain conditions and an atmosphere suitable for safety, no person shall enter onto a school bus except students assigned to that bus or other persons with lawful and valid business on the bus.
The school bus is an extension of school activity; therefore, students shall conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with the established standards for safety and classroom behavior.
Students are under the supervision and control of the bus driver and assistant while on the bus, and all reasonable directions given by driver or assistant shall be followed.
The principal of the student transported shall be informed by the bus driver or assistant of any discipline problems and may be called upon to assist if necessary.
A student may be denied the privilege of riding the bus if the principal determines that his/her behavior is such as to cause disruption on the bus, or if he/she disobeys state or local rules and regulations pertaining to student transportation.
According to state law, TCA 46-6-21, no student will be allowed to ride home with another student without written permission from the parent, which must be approved by the school principal. If approved, the driver will be provided with a copy of the request form.
All carry-ons, including backpacks, musical instruments and school projects, must be able to fit in the child’s lap. The parent/guardian must transport any items that don’t meet these criteria.

USE OF DVRs

Video cameras are used to monitor student behavior on school buses transporting students to and from school or extracurricular activities.
Video surveillance shall be used to promote the order, safety, and security of students, staff, and property.
Due to the privacy rights of other students, no parent/guardian is allowed to view bus tapes. If there is an issue, transportation personnel and school administrators will view the tape.

Safety First

SCHOOL ZONE FOR LOADING & UNLOADING
- The Danger Zone is the area on all sides of the bus where children are in the most danger of being hit. Children should stay at least ten feet away from the bus (or as far away as they can) and never go behind it. They should take five (5) giant steps in front of the bus before crossing, so they can be seen by the driver.
SCHOOL BUSES ARE THE SAFEST WAY TO GET TO SCHOOL

School buses are nearly 8 times safer than passenger vehicles. However, children must take care when boarding or leaving the bus. While an average of 7 school-age passengers are killed in school bus crashes each year, 19 are killed getting on and off the bus.

Most of those killed are children, five to seven years old. They are hit in the danger zone around the bus (A), either by a passing vehicle or by the school bus itself. It is illegal for a vehicle to pass a bus with its red light flashing.
Young children are most likely to be hit because they:
- hurry to get on or off the bus,
- act before they think and have little experience with traffic,
- assume motorists will see them and will wait for them to cross,
- don't always stay within the bus driver's sight, or
- drop something as they get off the bus and run into the path of the bus to pick it up.
TEACH YOUR CHILD TO GET ON AND OFF THE BUS SAFELY
- When getting on the bus, stay away from the danger zone and wait for the driver's signal. Board the bus one at a time.
- When getting off the bus, look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road). Move away from the bus.
- Before crossing the street, take five "giant steps" out from the front of the bus, or until the driver's face can be seen (A). Wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to cross.
- Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Keep watching traffic when crossing.
SAFETY STEPS YOU CAN TAKE
- Supervise children to make sure they get to the stop on time, wait far away from the road, and avoid rough play.
- Teach your child to ask the driver for help if he/she drops something near the bus. If a child bends down to pick up something, the driver cannot see him/her and the child may be hit by the bus. Have your child use a backpack or book bag to keep loose items together.
- Make sure clothing and backpacks have no loose drawstrings or long straps, to be caught in the handrail or bus door.
- Encourage safe school bus loading and unloading.
- If you think a bus stop is in a dangerous place, talk with your school office or transportation director about changing the location.
LEARN AND FOLLOW SCHOOL BUS LAWS:
Laws exist to protect children getting on and off the bus AND protect you from a tragedy. Check with your school or police department for more information on your state's laws. Here are some rules:
- Vehicles must stop when the bus displays flashing red warning lights and extends the stop signal arm (B).
- Vehicles may not pass until the flashing red lights and signals are turned off. Vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus are always required to stop. In some states, vehicles moving in the opposite direction on a divided roadway are also required to stop. Check the law in your state.
- Never pass on the right side of the bus, where children enter or exit. This is illegal and can have tragic results.
Violation of these laws can result in a citation and fine. In many places, school bus drivers can report passing vehicles.

Bus Tracking Software

It is our pleasure to partner with U.S. Cellular and UniteGPS to provide families up-to-date bus tracking via their mobile telephone or home/office computer. This service is available to all families traveling scheduled bus routes to and from school each day. All route details are displayed on your cellular phone APP or computer interface, with updates every five seconds. You must establish an account to activate this service.

To learn more, review this video tutorial link https://vimeo.com/181502886 or contact UniteGPS at (207) 591-7777.

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