School starts on Tuesday and our bright yellow buses will be back on the roads! We are counting on drivers to follow the rules to ensure students are safe while they are entering and exiting the bus. Also, don’t forget to slow down while driving in school zones and keep an eye out for kids walking or bicycling to school.
School buses use flashing lights to notify drivers. Here is a rundown of what the rules when you are sharing the road with a school bus and students:
— Yellow lights: Prepare to stop. Slow down. Do not pass the bus.
— Red lights: Stop. Drivers coming from both directions must stop. Do not pass the bus when the lights are flashing. When the lights turn off, proceed with caution. Be on the lookout for children near the road.
— School zones: Oregon state law requires drivers to go no faster than 20 mph in school zones between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Watch for school zone signs near schools. Drivers also need to watch for youth who are bicycling or walking to school. Many area roads do not have sidewalks.
Tips for students (and parents)
• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes ahead of time.
• Keep belongings stowed in a backpack or bag.
• Watch for the bus driver’s signal before crossing the road.
• Look both ways before crossing the road.
Thank you for your efforts to keep our students safe!
ALSO: Bus routes for the 2025-26 school year are available on our website — https://www.kcsd.k12.or.us/district/transportation.cfm. Please be sure to check your route on the website for any updates as the first day of school nears.
