Deer Lakes

School District

School Bus Safety Procedures

The start of the new school year is upon us and preparations have long been underway for the 2017-2018 campaign. Classrooms have been cleaned, technology has been added, some curricula has been developed and the grounds have been freshly landscaped.

However, one area that is important to everyone but is often overlooked is the district’s ability to safely deliver children to and from school each day.

Each summer, Deer Lakes, like every other school district in the Commonwealth, is subjected to a rigorous inspection process by the Pennsylvania State Police to ensure that its buses are fit to serve the community.

Prior to the police inspection in July, in which they go bumper to bumper checking safety equipment, brake adjustment, seats, lights and everything else that goes along with a vehicle of that size, Deer Lakes conducts its own inspection of its fleet.

Perhaps it is for that reason that for the 25th consecutive year, Deer Lakes has received a perfect evaluation from the state police.

Head district mechanic Chuck Gray is understandably proud of his department’s achievement.

“We are fortunate to have a lot of dedicated professionals working hard every day to ensure the safety of our students,” said Gray. “We value the vote of confidence from the state inspection process, but we also understand that student safety is an ongoing challenge.”


School Bus Safety Tips for Parents and Students:
  1. Please be sure that your child is visible and at his or her assigned bus stop at least 10 minutes early. Schedules can vary depending on student ridership, road conditions, traffic, construction delays and a host of other factors.
  2. When waiting for the bus, always line up at least 10 feet away from the curb or the roadway to avoid traffic.
  3. Never run after the school bus if it has already left its stop. It is never a good idea to be rushing towards a moving vehicle.
  4. Never walk alongside a moving school bus.
  5. Never push another student when getting on or off the school bus.
  6. Always cross at least 10 feet in front of the stopped school bus so that the driver can better see you.
  7. Before crossing a road to board the bus, wait until the school bus driver has activated the red flashing lights and engaged the crossing arm. Also, make sure that all traffic has come to a complete stop in both directions.
  8. Once on the school bus, remain in your seat facing forward, especially when the vehicle is in motion. Also, never put your head, arms or hands outside the window.
  9. Never play with the emergency exits.
  10. Backpacks, band instruments, or sports equipment may not block the aisle or emergency exits. If there is an emergency, please listen to the driver and follow his or her instructions to the letter.
  11. If students leave something on the bus or drop something just outside of the bus, never go back for it. The driver may not see the student and may have begun moving the vehicle.
  12. Never speak to strangers at the bus stop and never get into a stranger’s car.

Following these simple steps will help keep your student safe throughout the school year. If you have any questions, please contact the Transportation Department at [email protected].

← BACK
Print This Article