What can a student bring on the bus?

Please read the article below to understand what your child can and cannot bring on the bus.

1. What is allowed?

a. Items which a student can securely hold and contain in their lap without impeding another passenger’s space.

b. Band instruments that are allowed must remain in their lap or on the floor are: violin, viola, piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet (b-flat), alto clarinet, trumpet, saxophone, bells, bassoon, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, and trombone.

c. An archery bow is allowed to be transported on the bus without the case and must be put on the floor between the legs of the student. Arrows are not allowed on a route bus in the cargo or passenger area.

d. Pumpkins are allowed on a bus as long as they fit in student’s lap.

2. What is not allowed?

Heavy, sharp, bulky, and/or other articles that may be hazardous in the event of an accident or an emergency stop shall not be transported in the passenger area of any school bus during a regular run.

A driver is not permitted to allow the following items on the bus:

a. Firearms, knives or other weapons, either operative, ceremonial or toy replicas.

b. Live ammunition.

c. Fireworks or other explosives of any type.

d. Razor blade/box cutter.

e. Possession of any object that could cause injury including, but not limited to: ice pick, multi-fingered ring, metal knuckles, nunchakus, shock sticks, mace and the use of any object to inflict bodily injury on students and other persons.

f. Spraying any substance: perfume, cologne, deodorant, etc. or any substance that could cause an allergic or asthmatic reaction.

g. Live animals, including but not limited to birds, hamsters, fish, insects, reptiles, etc.

h. A preserved specimen that would frighten other students.

a. Glass objects including ceramics or balloons.

b. Object(s) that would block a bus aisle or exits.

c. Suitcases, sleeping bags, coolers are not allowed in passenger area blocking emergency exits or aisle.

d. Tobacco products of any kind, including electronic-cigarettes, alternative nicotine or vaping products.

e. Any sparking devices, such as a match or lighter.

f. Alcohol or illegal drugs.

g. Any object or equipment that will not fit in the student’s lap or in front of them in their seat.

h. The following musical instruments are not allowed on a regular bus: tenor and baritone saxophone, baritone horn, cello, string bass, French horn, drums, tuba/sousaphone, and guitar. Music stands are not allowed on a regular bus.

i. Skateboards, hover-boards or any type of motorized device that runs on gas, diesel, electric or battery power.

j. Toys.

k. Crutches. (Special transportation is available upon request for any student on crutches.)

l. Any hazardous materials.

m. School projects that will not fit in the student’s lap or any project that contains hazardous or sharp items. This includes simulated babies in car seats.

n. Athletic equipment that is not in a bag and will not fit in the student’s lap: baseball/softball bats, golf clubs, fishing poles, pole vault poles, football helmets, archery arrows and shoulder pads are not allowed on regular bus routes.

o. Tools and lawn equipment.

p. Any communication, music or recording device not under the direct control of the driver. This includes: cd players, mp3 players, iPad, Bluetooth speakers, etc.

q. No items in the cargo compartment of a bus during a regular route.

r. Brooms, dustpans or cleaning chemicals including any aerosol can.

Special items (allowed in cargo ONLY during field trips):

a. Large coolers

b. Sports equipment

c. Flags

d. Any large items

e. Luggage

f. Archery arrows

*Reference 702KAR5:080 for Additional Restrictions

Transportation Home Page