Bend-La Pine Schools operates transportation services for elementary students who live over one mile away from their school and for secondary students who live over one and one-half miles away from their school, in accordance with state mandate.  Most disabled students ride the regular transportation system and are subject to the home-to-school distances mentioned above.

(Unique transportation needs for special education students are arranged through the Special Programs Department - 541-355-1060).

It is the school district's goal to provide a safe, economical pupil transportation service.  To accomplish this goal there are responsibilities and rules for each member involved in the transportation system: staff, students, and parents.  We ask parents to become familiar with the rules and procedures and discuss them with their child.

Contact Information

Bend Office
501 SE 2nd Street

Regular Routes:
  541-355-5700

Special Programs Routes: 
541-355-5720

Bend Office Fax:
  541-355-5710

Bend Special Programs Fax: 
541-355-5729

La Pine Office
16350 1st Street
541-355-5750

La Pine Fax:
541-355-5760

The following rules for student conduct and discipline are contained in Oregon Administrative Rule 581-53-010 and/or have been adopted by the School Board for the safety of the transported students. Students not choosing to obey these rules may be suspended or expelled from transportation for up to one year. Please review these safety rules.

• Students being transported are under the direction of the bus driver.
• Fighting, wrestling, or boisterous activity is prohibited on District vehicles.
• Students shall use the emergency door only in case of emergency.
• Students shall be on time for the bus both morning and evening.
• Fireworks, knives, explosives, guns, including mace and/or any other instruments which can be used to damage property or cause injury, are not allowed on a vehicle. Look alike instruments/weapons are treated as real articles.
• Students shall remain seated while the bus is in motion.
• Students may be assigned seats by the bus driver.
• When necessary to cross the road, students shall cross in front of the bus or as instructed by the bus driver.
• Students shall not extend their hands, arms, or head through bus windows.
• Written parental permission is required for students to exit the bus at a stop other than their regular stop.
• Loud or vulgar language is prohibited.
• Students shall not open or close windows without permission of the driver.
• Students shall keep the bus clean, and shall refrain from causing damage to it.
• Students shall be courteous to the driver, students, and passers-by.
• Students who refuse to promptly obey the directions of the bus driver or refuse to obey regulations may forfeit their privilege to ride the bus.
• Large items which cannot be safely transported while held in the pupil's lap or stowed in an empty seat or directly under the seat are prohibited unless the bus has a baggage compartment.
• Students shall not interfere with any of the school bus operating controls except in an emergency or as instructed by the driver. This shall include the service door which could deactivate the school bus safety warning system and the emergency door and windows which set off alarms and could distract the driver.
• Vulgar or obscene language, gestures, or written material toward a driver, or any other student, or public is prohibited.
• Students shall not possess or use tobacco in any form.
• Narcotics, drugs, or alcohol possession or use on the bus is prohibited.
• Students shall not light any type of combustibles on the bus.
• Students shall not throw objects through the air on the bus.
• Students shall not eat or drink on the bus without permission from the driver.

• Be sure your child is at the bus stop 3-5 minutes prior to the assigned stop time. (Most school buses run multiple routes and the driver cannot wait for a child who is late.)
   
  
• If your child needs to leave the bus at a scheduled stop other than his/her normal home stop, provide the bus driver with a note of authorization with your signature. If the school bus becomes overloaded at the school in the afternoon the students with notes will be asked to get off and go to the office and call home.
   
  
• Instruct your child in the safe manner of walking to and from the bus stop.
   
  
• Instruct your child to stand to the side of the road when waiting for the bus.  

My child is late... If your child fails to return home at his/her expected time, contact the school first. Please keep in mind there may be many reasons for a bus to be late on its route. A bus could be late if there is a substitute driver, if there are mechanical problems, traffic tie-ups, inclement weather, or poor road conditions.

My child receives a bus slip... The district maintains a discipline and appeals procedure to insure students follow the student conduct and safety rules while using the transportation system. In most cases, at least one warning slip will be issued prior to the suspension of transportation. Suspension may be appealed in writing to the Transportation Supervisor.

I have a concern about the transportation service... We ask that you first call the Transportation Department at 541-355-5700 in Bend or 541-355-5750 in La Pine. The staff at the Transportation Department will relay your message to the driver and he/she will get back to you. If you are unable to resolve your concern, please discuss the situation with the Transportation Supervisor.

During inclement weather, how will I know if schools will be open or buses will be running on time...  Please call the Weather Delay/Closure Line @ 541-323-SNOW 

We also ask that you listen to one of the local radio or TV stations. They are informed and updated as quickly as decisions are made. Radio stations are your best source of information because phone lines may be busy.  

The Driver

To become an Oregon School Bus Driver, a person must meet very specific requirements as set forth by federal and state law. Drivers for Bend-La Pine Schools are expected to maintain discipline while operating the bus in a safe manner. Each driver has received several types of training. In addition to behind-the-wheel training, the drivers are required to attend on-going instruction and to be proficient in first aid procedures and student behavior management.

School Bus Law - Stopping for School Buses
 
School buses must follow all the traffic regulations individual motorists have learned. Oregon school buses are equipped with flashing amber and flashing red lights near the top of the bus on the front and on the rear of the bus.

The flashing amber lights are turned on to warn other traffic that the bus is about to stop to load or unload children. When the red lights begin to flash, drivers meeting or overtaking the bus from either direction must stop before reaching the bus. Remain stopped until the flashing red lights are turned off. The school bus law applies ifyou are on the highway with two, three or four lanes of traffic.

Video cameras are installed on the
Bend-La Pine Schools Transportation fleet.  They may be used to monitor student behavior on district vehicles transporting students to and from curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Students in violation of district conduct rules shall be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with established Board policy and Oregon Administrative Rules governing student conduct and discipline.

Such equipment may also be used to monitor the performance of District employees in the fulfillment of their duties on District vehicles transporting students to and from curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Any illegal acts that are video taped on District vehicles will be turned over to the appropriate personnel and/or authorities.