The school committee and school personnel share with students and parents the responsibility for student safety during transportation to and from school.  Any student in regular attendance in the Taunton Public School System may receive transportation at the expense of the city if such student resides at or beyond a distance of two (2) miles.

Any student may be required to walk one (1) mile to a bus stop.   Buses are not expected to operate over improperly maintained roads, private lanes leading to a residency or into limited access roads, which do not have adequate turnarounds for school buses.  Also, it does not mean door-to-door pickup and drop-off.

The conduct expected of students on the school buses is the same as that expected in the classroom, except that conversations may be carried on in a normal voice.  Any conduct which might distract the driver and thus interfere with safe driving practices is prohibited.  Such conduct will be reported by the bus driver as soon as possible and the offending student will be subject to disciplinary action immediately.

To ensure the safety of all students who ride in buses, it may occasionally be necessary to revoke the privilege of transportation from a student who abuses this privilege.  Parents of children whose behavior and misconduct on school buses endangers the health, safety, and welfare of other riders will be notified that their children face the loss of transportation privileges in accordance with regulations approved by the Taunton School Committee. “Be aware of the fact that the general laws give to school and parents/guardians joint jurisdiction over students on their way to and from school.”  The school day begins when the student leaves the home and it ends when they return.  The student comes under the jurisdiction of the school administration during this entire period.  The authority for enforcing school committee requirements of student conduct will rest with the headmaster. The following disciplinary action may result for bus infractions:

·         First Offense                  Warning

·         Second Offense             Three day suspension from bus

·         Third Offense                 One week suspension from bus

·         Fourth Offense               Thirty day suspension from bus

Students desiring to ride a bus other than their regularly assigned bus must bring written permission from a parent or guardian on that day and have it signed by an administrator.