School bus transportation is a privilege that SD8 offers with high expectations regarding safety protocol compliance. Bus drivers, students and parents all have responsibilities regarding safe school bus operations.

Statistically, the school bus is the safest way for children to get to school, most injuries happen outside the bus. Parents and students must be aware of safety procedures while waiting for, boarding and getting off of the bus.

The bus driver is the authority on the school bus and responsible for the safety of all passengers while riding the bus, maintaining order and ensuring safety regulations and policies are followed. Misbehavior on the bus may distract the driver which could affect the safe operation of the school bus. The bus driver may assign seats in mitigating this risk and will make a report to the school if behavior continues.

For more information regarding School Bus Safety visit the The Association of School Transportation Services of British Columbia website  ASTSBC Safety

To enhance student safety, every student who is registered for transportation receives a bus pass in the form of a hard plastic card. To ride the bus, students must scan their pass each time they enter onto or exit off the bus. 

In the event we have a missing child the transportation department can look up the location of where the student entered and exited the bus in real time.  Bus pass scans also provide the school with an accurate list of riders, should the bus be involved in an emergency.

Please hold onto your pass over the summer! Students registered for transportation in the current 2022/23 school year will continue to use their bus pass for the 2022/2023 school year. Students new to SD8 bussing will have a bus pass delivered to their school for September startup. 

If you are confirmed registered for SD8 bussing service but do not have a bus pass, please inquire with your school office.  For lost or damaged passes, please see bus pass procedures.

Bus Pass Procedures

Read the Bus Pass FAQs

• Be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes ahead of the scheduled arrival time to avoid missing the bus.
• Wait in the proper loading zone. Stay 10 steps back from the edge of the road or on the sidewalk and remain still until the bus comes to a complete stop. Never touch the outside of the bus
• Refrain from pushing, shoving, fighting or horseplay, and show respect to others.
• Ensure all traffic has come to a stop and do not cross in front of the bus until signaled by the driver.
• Return home or to a predetermined safe location if the bus does not arrive within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.

Student bahaviour at the bus stop is the responsibility of the students and parent.

• A bus pass or exemption slip must be presented to the driver upon entry of the school bus
• Students must ride the bus to which they are assigned unless they receive an exemption slip from the school to change buses or for guest riders. If guest riders stay overnight and intend on riding the bus the next day, they must also have a slip from the school for the morning run.
• Remain properly seated during the entire journey and wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before rising.
• Students are not to put their head, arms or any other body part out of the open windows.
• Students are to refrain from throwing articles inside of the bus and are not to throw anything from the bus windows.
• Students must follow direction from the bus driver. If a student’s behavior on the bus has been unsatisfactory after warnings have been issued, they will be subject to further discipline.

• A bus pass or exemption slip must be presented to the driver upon exit of the school bus
• Remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop and the doors are open.
• Get off the bus in a quiet and orderly manner.
• Check to the right for vehicles passing on the right of the bus.
• Once out of the bus get well clear of the bus, never touch the outside of the bus or cross the street behind the bus.
• Students crossing the road
  • Stand well in front and wait for drivers signal to cross.
  • Check in both directions for oncoming vehicles while crossing.
  • “FREEZE” and do not cross if the driver blows the horn.

The rules and regulations on the bus are established to ensure a respectful safe ride free from harassment, violence, or intimidation for all students riding the buses. Any form of behavior that is detrimental to the safe operation of the school bus, that would result in damage, excessive cleaning of the school bus, or makes it unpleasant for other students or driver on the bus will be subject to discipline.

Examples of behavior that result in discipline

• Not following the driver’s directions.
• Bullying or harassment of the driver or other passengers.
• Fighting, hitting, roughhousing, spitting, foul language.
• Moving around while bus is in motion.
• Not remaining in assigned seat.
• Eating or drinking on the bus when not permitted.
• Use of alcohol, cannabis or other prohibited drugs.
• Vandalism, weapons, lighting matches/lighters.
• Smoking / vaping
• Throwing objects or garbage within the bus or out a window.
• Shouting and unnecessary noise.
• Not following loading and unloading best practices

Progressive Discipline

The point at which intervention begins will vary with the severity of the incident and may take into consideration a student’s prior history of misbehavior.  Not all steps are necessary in all situations. For example, the driver may simply attempt to resolve the problem through driver/student discussion or may choose to refer the matter to the Transportation office or the School Principal.

For more serious behavioral issues, or for students who have repeated disciplinary actions, the student may receive:

• Suspension from school bus riding privileges for 1 to 3 days
• Suspension from school bus riding privileges lasting 1-5 days
• Indefinite school bus riding suspension until a meeting is held with the student, their parent(s), school administration and a transportation representative.
• All suspensions from riding privileges includes riding to or from extra-curricular activities

Please be aware that video cameras with microphones are installed on some SD8 school busses. 

Buses are not permitted to load any equipment into the bunks during scheduled bus runs.

Equipment not permitted on the school bus.

• Anything that cannot be held on the lap of the student without projecting into the aisle
• Anything that cannot be held by a student without projecting above the seat back
• Anything deemed to be dangerous (e.g. skates without guards)
• Fuel or other flammables
• Items that can roll around, such as skateboards or balls will only be permitted if they meet the above criteria for size and are either stored in an appropriate container or securely attached to a backpack.

Parents are expected to support the safe and efficient transportation of our students to and from school. School districts are not required to provide student transportation and have limited resources to do so. It should be recognized that riding the school bus is a privilege.

Parent/Guardian Responsibility:

• Register their children for bussing prior to the annual deadline.
• Support their child with bus pass usage and retention.
• Have their children to the bus stop 5 minutes ahead of scheduled time of pick up.
• Parents are responsible for the safety of their child to and from the bus stop.
• Provide supervision at the bus stop if necessary
• Warn their children that vehicles are required by law to stop for the school bus red lights, however, sometimes other vehicle drivers are negligent and do not stop when they should.  Therefore, children should proceed with caution when getting off the school bus and crossing the road.
• Promote safety to their children concerning Student Responsibilities
• Parents are responsible for willful damage to school buses caused by their children. Fees may apply in case of vandalism.
• When a child’s transportation privileges are suspended, students are still expected to attend school and it is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to provide transportation, including extra-curricular trips. 
• Parents or other adults are never authorized to enter a school bus unless special permissions have been granted by the transportation department, and criminal record checks have been processed.
• When weather conditions are such that the buses may be cancelled, parents should ensure that their children do not wait for extended periods of time at the stop.  If parents leave home before the student(s) have been picked up by the bus, parents are to ensure alternate care arrangements are in place.  See Family Safety Plan

Parents should develop a safety plan and ensure their children understand what to do if the school bus is late or does not arrive at the stop.

Some important tips for your Family Safety Plan 

• Check your email messages for notifications of route delay or cancellation updates
• Teach your child traffic safety rules and whether driving or walking, practice and establish a safe route for them to get to and from the bus stop.
• Ensure your child is prepared for the seasonal weather conditions they may face while waiting for the bus.
• Discuss the bus rider rules and how to be safe at the bus stop while waiting for the school bus to arrive.
• Explain that the bus may be delayed, and they may have to wait up to 15 minutes for the bus to arrive.
• Have a safe location for your child to return to (home or a neighbor's), in the event the school bus does not arrive after 15 minutes or is cancelled.
• Provide contact information for your child to call in an emergency.

School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) makes every effort to ensure that our school buses are operating on schedule daily.  Disruptions to the bussing schedule are possible due to road conditions, severe weather, bus driver shortages and other events.  It is recommended that you and your child have a plan and a safe location for your child to return to, in the event the school bus does not arrive after 15 minutes or is cancelled.

What you can expect if there is a disruption in service

School Bus Delay of over 15 mins

• Notice of any cancellation will be communicated through the following:
  • School and district websites
  • SD8 Facebook page

School Bus Cancellation

• An email will be sent to all bussing student contacts registered with the school
• Notice of any cancellation will be communicated through the following:
  • School and district websites
  • SD8 Facebook page

Most transportation related inquiries can be answered by your school office.

If you have emergent questions, such as a lost bussing student, contact the operations office in your area to speak with a transportation staff member.

Nelson Operations:  250-354-4871

Creston Operations:  250-428-5329

Transportation Coordinator  

Patrick Thast                        Email: transportation.coordinator@sd8.bc.ca

Transportation Coordinator Assistant Nelson                             

Carol Morton                        Email: lhbw@sd8.bc.ca

Transportation Coordinator Assistant Creston                                                       

Barb Clements                      Email: lhbr@sd8.bc.ca

Manager of Operations                                                                       

Lisa Phillips                           Email: lisa.phillips@sd8.bc.ca                           

Director of Operations                                                                                     

Chris Kerr                              Email: chris.kerr@sd8.bc.ca