Bus Safety
At Clinton Central School District, student safety is our highest priority—both on and around the school bus. Following a few simple rules helps ensure every ride is safe, smooth, and enjoyable for all students. Please take a few moments to review these important bus safety reminders with your child.
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Arrive Early
It is highly recommended that students arrive at the bus stop approximately five minutes early. Please remember that pick-up times may vary slightly from day to day. -
Use Backpacks Safely
Students should wear a backpack rather than carry a tote bag whenever possible. This allows them to keep their hands and arms free. If an item that is too large to fit in the backpack must be brought to school, please consider driving your child that day or making other arrangements for their safety and the safety of others riding the bus.
Nothing should be dangling from a student’s clothing or backpack (e.g., keychains, strings, etc.). -
Practice Good Behavior
Good behavior helps ensure a safe and pleasant ride for everyone. While children may be energetic—especially on the afternoon ride—they are expected to remain seated, use “inside voices,” and listen to the driver’s instructions. Students should follow only the driver’s directions, particularly when crossing in front of the bus. -
Stay Out of the Danger Zones
Please help us keep your child safe by teaching them to be careful in the danger zones (see diagram below). The danger zone generally includes ten feet around the entire perimeter of the bus. The most hazardous areas are the front and back right corners.
Please be aware:
Our drivers are trained to stay alert to conditions along their routes, such as sudden weather changes (e.g., thunderstorms) or unusual occurrences in a neighborhood—like an unfamiliar vehicle. However, it is still important to remind your children to go directly home or directly to their child care location after being dropped off.
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Video Monitoring for Safety
Our fleet of buses is equipped with video cameras to monitor both student behavior and overall safety on the bus. -
Important Reminder
The speed limit is 15 m.p.h. on Chenango Avenue and all school property. Never pass a bus with its red lights flashing.
Crossing Rules
Crossing the road or highway is one of the most dangerous parts of your child’s bus ride. Drivers are trained to teach and hold students accountable for safe crossing practices. All students must follow the bus driver’s instructions when crossing a road.
At stops where children need to cross in front of the bus (“crossers”), the driver will instruct and reinforce the steps and expectations for exiting the bus and crossing safely.
Students should:
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Look left and right before stepping off the bus.
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Walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus, remaining within the driver’s line of sight (if a child can’t see the driver, the driver cannot see the child).
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Wait for the driver’s signal before crossing.
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Before passing in front of the bus, stop near the driver’s side headlight, look left and right again, and then proceed across the street.
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If the driver blows the horn, the student should immediately return to the side of the road.
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Never return to the bus after crossing.
Non-crossers should walk straight away from the bus doors and move out of the danger zone promptly. Children are not permitted to cross behind the bus.
Additionally, children should be instructed not to go to their mailboxes or linger near the stop after being dropped off. Drivers are trained—and State law requires—that the bus must not move if there are students within fifteen (15) feet of the vehicle.
Contact Information
Ben Getter
Transportation Lead
(315) 557-2265
(315) 983-1564
bgetter@ccs.edu
Frank Tizzano
Bus Dispatcher
(315) 557-2265
(315) 404-2763
ftizzano@ccs.edu