Transportation

The student school day begins as students board the bus. With the safety of all students in mind, it is essential that students and parents understand and observe the following concepts and safety rules:

1. Riding the bus is a privilege. State law requires all passengers to follow the instructions of the bus driver. His or her responsibility is to ensure the safety of all students on the bus. The standards of behavior on the bus are the same as in the classroom. Repeated failures to comply with the rules or driver instructions will result in suspension or revocation of bus privileges.

2. At the Bus Stop:

• South Carolina law, Section 59-67-415, states parents or guardians are responsible for the safety, conduct, and the timely arrival of their children to, from, and at the designated school bus stop.
• This applies to the time before the school bus arrives to pick up students for delivery to school and after the school bus departs the designated school bus stop after student drop off.
• Students must be on time at the designated school bus stop when the bus arrives.
• Students may not use buses or bus stops other than those assigned to them without written permission by parents/guardians to the school and with approval of the Principal and Transportation Department.
• When approaching the bus stop, if students have to walk along the highway, they should always walk on the shoulder of the left side of the highway, facing traffic.
• When students need to cross the highway to board the bus, they must wait on the sidewalk or side of the road until the bus driver directs them to cross. They must cross in front of the stopped bus and walk, not run. Do not walk behind a school bus; the driver can’t see you.
• Students should not run toward the bus when the bus is moving, but should wait until it comes to a complete stop and then walk to the bus entry door.
• Parents/guardians: do not attempt to board the bus. State law prohibits this in Section 59-67-245, Interference with the Operation of a School Bus.

3. On the Bus:

• Scan your bus pass/student ID card when you board the bus.
• Go to the assigned seat, without pushing or crowding, and remain properly seated while the bus is in motion.
• Sit properly:  feet on the floor, back to the backrest, feet out of the aisle.
• Never extend arms, legs, or head out of the bus doors or windows.
• Students should not talk to the driver while the bus is in motion, except in an emergency.
• No eating on the bus. No drinking on the bus except water when authorized by the driver.
• No use of mobile phones, iPods, or similar electronic devices on the school bus.
• Never tamper with the emergency door or any other bus equipment.
• Do not damage, mark on, or deface the bus. Seat coverings must not be damaged in any manner. Students should report any bus or seat damage to the bus driver as soon as possible.
• If a student is found to have damaged a school bus, the student will be charged the assessed repair rate set by the State Department of Education. The student responsible for the damage will be suspended from riding the bus until restitution is made in full.
• Only the driver or other authorized person should remove first aid equipment, which is for emergency treatment only.
• Do not tamper with the fire extinguisher. Only the driver should use it for an emergency.
• Do not fight or scuffle on the bus or create any disturbance. The standards of conduct required on the bus are the same as the standards of conduct in the classroom.
• Do not throw objects inside the bus or from the bus windows.
• Do not place books, lunch boxes or other objects in the aisle or on the rear deck of the bus.
• Leave all pencils, school supplies, and personal items inside your backpack or book bag.
• Band instruments must fit on the student’s lap. 
• Sports equipment must remain in appropriate sports equipment bags or backpacks and may not be removed from those bags while on the bus.
• Hoods are not permitted to be worn on the school bus unless the bus driver allows it in severely cold situations.

Leaving the Bus:

• Students must remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop. Never attempt to leave the seat before the bus comes to a full stop and the driver indicates it is safe to depart
• Passengers should leave in an orderly manner.
• Scan your bus pass/school ID card when you leave the bus.
• Do not loiter or play around a stopped or parked bus.
• Do not enter restricted areas or school grounds set aside for bus parking or loading.
• Students are permitted to unload only at their regular, designated stops. Any changes must be made by the parent’s or designee’s written request and approved by the principal.
• After departing the bus, students (if they must cross the highway) must wait beyond the front crossing gate until the bus driver or school bus patrol directs them to cross.
• In accordance with South Carolina law, students misbehaving on the school bus will be referred to the school’s administrator for appropriate disciplinary action.

Procedures to deal with misconduct on the buses. Drivers will work directly with students to correct misconduct. When attempted correction does not remedy the situation the driver is required by South Carolina law to report non-compliance with his/her lawful instructions and/or misconduct on the bus to the school principal. Buses are equipped with video surveillance equipment to assist principals in addressing student conduct issues. Bus riders will be denied bus privileges if their behavior is unacceptable or infringes on the rights of other bus riders. It will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian to provide transportation to school during the suspension period. For the safety of all
students, school administrators will follow these guidelines for addressing referrals for of misconduct on the bus:

** NOTE: Severity of the misconduct may result in immediate revocation of bus privileges. In accordance with South Carolina law, the principal has the final authority in these cases.

1. First Referral:
   Warning and parent notification of consequences for future incidents
    
2. Second Referral:
   One (1) to five (5) days’ suspension from bus
    
3. Third Referral:
   Five (5) to ten (10) days’ suspension from bus
    
4. Fourth Referral:
   Ten (10) to thirty (30) days’ suspension from bus
    
5. Fifth Referral:
   Loss of bus privileges for the remainder of the school year.

Please note, these guidelines apply to cumulative referrals for bus misconduct. That is, consequences will progress in severity as a student accumulates referrals for rules infractions from one incident to the next. The sequence will not start over simply because a rules infraction is different than infractions in previous referrals.

Students and parents should not attempt to discuss school bus rule violations or disciplinary measures with the school bus driver at a bus stop. Students who attempt to board the bus while suspended or adults who attempt to board or interfere with the operation of the bus, may be prosecuted under applicable South Carolina law.

These zones are the most difficult to monitor and see from inside the bus.

• DO NOT enter these zones while the bus is moving, no matter how slowly
• NEVER cross behind the bus
• Always wait for driver to signal you to cross in front of the bus from either side of the street
• Try to approach the door directly, not alongside the bus in the danger zone, especially in the dark

Getting on the Bus:

• Arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes early.
• Wait in a line 15 feet away from the bus.
• Have bus pass/ID card ready
• Do not approach the bus until the bus stops and the doors open.
• If you have to cross the road, wait for the driver to signal.
• Cross in front, never behind the bus.
• Never attempt to pick up anything dropped underneath the bus.
• Scan your bus pass when you board.

Getting off the Bus:

• Have your bus pass ready.
• Wait until the bus stops and the door is open before standing up.
• No pushing or shoving while unloading the bus.
• Scan your bus pass.
• If crossing, wait for the driver's signal.
• Cross in front, never behind the bus.
• Never attempt to reboard the bus after you have already exited.
• Never attempt to pick up anything dropped underneath the bus.

School Bus Safety Rules

• Obey the bus driver at all times.
• Remain seated at all times while the bus is moving.
• Sit facing forward with feet on the floor, backpack on your lap.
• Keep the aisles clear.
• Mobile phone use allowed with earbuds.
• Driver authorized to direct phones to be turned off and put away.
• No food or drink allowed on the bus.
• Water permitted with driver approval.
• Inside voices at all times.
• Classroom conduct at all times on the bus.
• No fighting/hitting/spitting on the bus.
• Keep your hands, head, feet inside the bus.
• No bulling/harassing other students.
• Don’t throw things inside the bus or out the windows.
• No pushing or shoving while unloading.
• No abusive or inappropriate language is allowed on the bus.
• Don’t damage the bus, its equipment or the personal property of others.

Mobile device policy is defined by the Dorchester District Two Board of Trustees. Please refer to the Board of Trustees Policy Manual. School bus drivers will apply the Board policy in alignment with current school practices. However, by South Carolina law, the school bus driver has the final say on permitting mobile phone use on the school bus.   School bus drivers may allow mobile device use, so long as such use does not present a distraction to the driver or other safety hazard.  Laptop computers should remain in the backpack or carry case and be secured by the student at all times. These can become dangerous projectiles in the event of a sudden stop or impact. Again, the driver has the final say on permission to use mobile devices on the bus and may prohibit use in the interest of safety for all students.

Laptops & Tablets

Laptops, tablets, and any other small items must remain inside the students' backpacks or appropriate carry-on bags at all times while on board the school bus. This includes basket balls and footballs along with other sports equipment and paraphernalia. 

Food and Eating

The South Carolina Department of Education regulations prohibit eating during school bus operations. There are safety (choking), health (allergies, etc) and sanitation hazards that come from eating on school buses. Please remind students that the take-home meals are to remain in the students' backpacks or in the bags in which they are provided.

Band Instruments and Other Carry-On Items

Band instruments, or other items, carried on a school bus must be of such size that they can be transported in the student’s lap.  This is necessary to ensure that all items are kept under the control of the student at all times in case of an accident or an emergency.   The United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Standard 17, Pupil Transportation Safety, reads in part:

…baggage and other items transported in the passenger compartment should be stored so that the aisles are kept clear and the doors and emergency exits of school vehicles remain unobstructed at all times.   School district compliance with this standard is mandatory. No student’s carry-on items can obstruct the orderly emergency or non-emergency exiting of the school bus. Securement of carry-on items prohibits them from becoming flying objects in the event of an accident.  Items on the seats, floor, or obstructing the aisles endanger all students on the bus.

The following is a list of instruments that are too large to be transported on a school bus: French Horn, Drums, Baritone Sax, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba, and Cello.  Other instruments such as a trumpet or trombone are allowed on the bus as long as they meet the requirements above.

Your student needs a bus pass to ride the school bus. The student ID card, issued by the school, will serve as a bus pass along with its other functions. 

Using the bus pass to scan on and off the bus is a critical component of My Ride K-12. Each bus has a card scanner to log the time and location your student loads or unloads from the bus. 

Please ensure your student has the bus pass/ID card each day and explain the need to scan on and off the bus each time.

You'll be able to see these scans on your My Ride K-12 app and can even set the app to notify you of the scan. 

My Ride K-12 Smartphone App

The South Carolina Department of Education requires each school district to use the transportation management system called Student Transportation by Traversa. The parent bus app is part of Traversa and is called, My Ride K-12.

To receive your student's bus information, you need My Ride K-12, and you must have an account to log in to the app. If you used My Ride K-12 previously, you only have to log back in to see your student's information (see section below on Bus Route information for a timeline of updates).

If you're new to Signing up is simple:  either download the My Ride K-12 app from either Google Play or the App Store and follow the instructions, or follow this link on your phone or computer to register: 

Register Here

Download the My Ride K-12 app by scanning the appropriate QR code below for your device. After installing the app, follow the prompts to establish login credentials. See detailed instructions in the app user guide below.

IMPORTANT:  School Registration and Transportation Methods

The online registration system for the main school year will ask you about your transportation plans for school. If there is any time you plan to use school bus service, whether it's your primary plan or not, please select the options for school bus. This will automatically code PowerSchool correctly and ensure your child is properly matched to a bus route.

Your bus information is provided by the My Ride K-12 app. See below for accessing the information via the app.

We do not publish bus routes publicly in order to protect private information and enhance security for our students.

Information for the 25-26 school year will not be available on the app until after summer school ends. 

We will begin updating routes on July 14th. Please be patient and allow the system to process the data coming from the student information system, PowerSchool, into the routing system. The automation will begin on July 14th and may take several iterations until accurate information is available. Please check the My Ride K-12 app frequently for the latest information.

We realize the need for a safe, secure, and simple process to transfer custody of your child(ren) from the bus back to you. Experience has proven the number matching process to be the simplest and most effective process to transfer custody from the school bus to parents.

Changes for the SY 25-26 School Year

• NEW:  We are returning to the use of a number matching scheme this year
• Applies to 4K, 5K, and 1^st grade; does NOT apply to 2^nd grade students
• NEW:  Parents of students in this category must use this process to receive bus service for these students
• NEW:  Every student will be assigned a numbered card by the school and must have it attached to the backpack
• NEW:  4K, 5K, and 1^st grade students will sit in the front seats of the bus along with escorting siblings, as applicable
• Adult must be at the bus stop, displaying matching number to receive any student 4K

• Rules for Displaying Matching Number
  • May be displayed using car hanger, rectangle card, or picture on phone
  • Must be visible and readable by the driver
  • Do not wave from the front door of your house or out the window of your car--be at the bus stop
  • Can be displayed via picture on phone
• Two Options for 5K & 1st Grade Custody-transfer Process—from Bus to Parent (or Parent’s delegate)

1. Parent or designated adult at bus stop--this option is REQUIRED for 4K students
   • Adult must present/display the matching number to the driver (see rules above)
   • Bus driver calls student forward, matches the number and releases student
   • Student scans bus pass and exits bus
2. 3rd, 4th or 5th Grade Sibling Escort  (requires parental consent via form provided by school)
   • Students permitted to be escorted shall have a bright pink sticker on their numbered cards
   • No pink sticker, no escorting allowed; student WILL NOT be allowed to exit the bus unless adult is there with matching number--no exceptions
   • Bus driver calls 5K or 1st grader and escort forward
   • Driver verifies pink sticker attached, then matches number of student and escorting sibling
   • If a match, releases escort and younger student
   • Students scan bus passes and exit bus
   • Escort must be on the bus with the younger student
   • Younger student may not get off the bus without the escort
   • If escort leaves bus without younger student, younger student will be returned to the school
   • This is NOT an option for 4K students--and adult must receive a 4K student

1. Download My Ride K-12 from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

2. After the app installation is complete, open My Ride K-12.

3. When prompted to find your school district, search for the name of the school district your child attends. If you need assistance, please contact your school district. Note: there is a Dorchester County in the state of Maryland. Be careful to select Dorchester School District Two and look for the DD2 logo like at the top of this page.

4. Once you have selected our district, you will proceed to the login page. If you do not already have a registered email, click Register.

5. To register, enter your email address, a password, and name.

6. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Tap on the link in your email to confirm your registration through the My Ride K-12 website.

7. Log in, then find a student by going to My Students and choosing the + button. This will present the Add Student screen.

8. Enter the information required on the page, including the 5-digit student ID number, to find your student. Repeat this step to add additional students. If you need assistance, please contact Transportation regarding the app itself. We cannot provide the ID number. You can get that through the PowerSchool app or by contacting your school.

9. Once you have linked to a student, click on that student’s name to see all relevant transportation information.

10. Press the Share button to share a student link with someone else.

11. Enter the email of the person you would like to share with. That person will receive a confirmation email that will automatically link them to the shared student(s). Recipients must register with My Ride K-12, if they have not already done so, to access the student information.

12. Regularly check for updates to ensure that your device is running the latest version of the app.

13. Remain logged in to the app to receive district notifications, even when the app is not actively running.

1. Using the Chrome browser, go to myridek12.tylerapp.com.

2. If you do not already have an email registered in the system, click Sign up.

3. To register, enter your email address, password, and name.

4. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link in your email to confirm your registration through the My Ride K-12 website.

5. When prompted to find your school district, search for the name of the school district your child attends. If you need assistance. Note: there is a Dorchester County in the state of Maryland. Be careful to select Dorchester School District Two and look for the DD2 logo like at the top of this page.

6. Enter the information required on the page, including the 5-digit student ID number, to find your student. Repeat this step to add additional students. If you need assistance, please contact Transportation regarding the app itself. We cannot provide the ID number. You can get that through the PowerSchool app or by contacting your school.

7. Once you have linked to a student, click on that student’s profile to see all relevant transportation information.

8. To share a student link with another person, select a student and click the Share button.

9. Enter the email of the person you would like to share with. That person will receive a confirmation email that will automatically link them to the shared student(s). Recipients must register with My Ride K-12, if they have not already done so, to access the student’s information.

Route Status Messages:

My Ride K-12 shows a route status using this icon

above it. Below is a legend to interpret the status messages.

Other Display Indications:

Each route is assigned its own color. The bar between the start and end times of the runs shows this color for easy correlation. The times are only highlighted in color if they have an ETA of early or late from the planned time. These icons can be seen on the map and clicked on for more information (if you are showing all locations). The information dialog does NOT update the information of the icon when the bus moves. In order to get the new information, you must re-click the bus icon.

Vehicles should be updating every 15-30 seconds. The green bar at the top of the map is for GPS readings. When GPS is connected, it will read, “You are currently connected and getting live updates as they become available.” If GPS is disconnected, it will read, “Vehicle updates are currently unavailable.”

No Vehicle Available – means that the vehicle assigned to that run is not currently connected with GPS.

Time Shift and Other Changes: My Ride K-12 should show the planned information (red) and then the updated value (green) in the route details.

View the Route Status Message PDF

1. Call 843.873.6196
2. Pick the Dispatch Center for Your School:

Press 1 for Summerville Dispatch Center

• Alston
• Alston-Bailey
• Ashley Ridge
• Beech Hill
• DuBose
• East Edisto
• Flowertown
• Gregg
• Knightsville
• Newington
• Sand Hill
• Spann
• Summerville ES and HS
• William Reeves

Press 2 for Oakbrook Dispatch Center

• Ashley Ridge
• Eagle Nest
• Eugene Sires
• Fort Dorchester ES and HS
• Gregg Middle School
• Joseph Pye
• Oakbrook ES and MS
• River Oaks
• Windsor Hill

The South Carolina Department of Education has codified school bus regulations into state law. The law states transportation on general education school bus routes is authorized for public school pupils who live 1.5 miles or greater from their school. Distances are measured from the home address to the school address via surface streets. Public school pupils include pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade students. In certain areas less than 1.5 miles from the school and determined to be hazardous for walking, the District may elect to provide bus service, if resources are available Parents of students attending schools with special permission from outside the attendance zone are responsible for providing the student’s transportation.

No. Transportation on regular school buses is authorized for public school pupils only. A parent is not covered under any insurance provisions nor is it in the best interest of other children. Parents may ride the bus to and from school when engaged in “volunteer” work within the school during the school day. This request must be submitted to and approved by the school principal, then forwarded to the Transportation Department. This service may be provided on a space-available basis only.

Yes, with specific permission. Parents/guardians may request this service during registration and supply the pertinent information at that time. During the school year, parents/guardians must request permission for the student to be delivered to the alternate address from the school principal, regardless of temporary or permanent request. In either case, the school will complete an Official Bus Rider Verification Form with the required information including the alternate address and duration of the alternate arrangement. To be considered, (1) students must be eligible for school bus service and (2) the alternate address must be within the school’s attendance zone. This is a space available service with priority given to students assigned to the specific bus serving their home neighborhoods.

In accordance with state law, students may be required to walk up to three tenths (0.3) of a mile to the nearest bus stop for transportation on state-owned school buses. For students whose walking distance to the bus stop is greater than 0.3 miles, additional stops will be added in accordance with state regulations. Distances are measured from the home entrance via surface streets to the bus stop. Parents/guardians requesting additional or changed bus stop locations may contact the Transportation Department for consideration.

Bus stops on each route may not be closer than two tenths of a mile to one another by state regulation. Bus stops must have a clear visibility of 600 feet in each direction or a “School Bus Stop Ahead” sign must be located at a point 600 feet in each direction from a designated stop. Examples of unsafe stop locations are blind curves, steep grades, near crests of hills or other locations with hazardous traffic conditions. There are certain locations where a bus turnabout (a backing turn, followed by reversal of travel direction) is required. However, this should be the last option. Backing a school bus should be avoided unless no other safe option exists.

The South Carolina Department of Education has the final authority in determining a road's suitability for school bus service. In addition to student eligibility rules, school buses are only allowed to travel on roadways that assure the safe transport of students. Safety is determined by the ability of the school bus to meet and pass another vehicle of equal size, and the roadway must be constructed sufficiently to avoid damaging the school bus or creating the potential for an accident. The quality of the roadway during bad weather also must be taken into consideration. The safety of the students must receive the top priority. South Carolina school buses are intended for use on public roadways only. However, if a request is made to enter onto a private roadway, (1) the Transportation Department must determine the safety and maneuverability of the bus entering the area and (2) the owner of the private roadway must provide written authorization for use and complete a notarized “Release of Liability.”

Any new student must be enrolled in a school, live in the school’s attendance zone, and meet the previously-described eligibility criteria. During registration, the school will collect the required information and ensure it is entered into PowerSchool, including AM and PM transportation modes, correct address (or alternate address, if applicable). The district school bus routing program will receive the information from PowerSchool nightly and will write the assigned school bus number back into PowerSchool, provided the student meets the eligibility criteria and information is properly entered into the system. After initial registration and during the school year, the school will complete the Official Bus Rider Verification Form as described previously, furnish the bus driver a copy, and notify the parent/student of the assigned bus route number.

School buses in South Carolina are designed and manufactured to protect students based on the compartmentalization theory. This means bus seats are precisely spaced, heavily padded, and raised to protect the student. In addition, the exterior construction is designed to prevent the penetration of objects into the passenger area or the collapse of the roof.

This is why we stress the importance of sitting properly while riding the school bus. Sitting properly means being seated facing forward with back against the back rest and feet on the floor (or feet close to the floor with knees bent over the seat bench). 

Accompany or arrange for an adult to accompany your child to the school bus stop and wait for the school bus to arrive. The same is true in the afternoon. Be at the school bus stop when the bus arrives and accompany your child home. State law places the responsibility for a child’s safety on the parent until the school bus arrives at the bus stop in the morning, and after the bus leaves the site in the afternoon. It will also help to become familiar with school bus safety rules and spend time to ensure your students understand their importance and the need to follow them. 

Also, please have your child scan the bus pass when boarding and departing the school bus.

Federal law requires them at least twice during the school year for each student who is transported in a school bus. Instruction must include safe riding practices and participation in Emergency Evacuation Drills. Drills should be conducted within the first two months of school for the first semester and before Spring Break during the second semester. Pre-K - 1st grade students should receive “hands-on” safety training to include evacuation drills within the first weeks of the school year.

Yes, with specific permission from the principal via the process described above using the Official Bus Rider Verification Form. The school completes this form after verifying the information and determining feasibility and availability of seat space on the bus.

State law does not limit the ride time or distance. Although it is rare for a route to be longer than 1 hour and 15 minutes, this does sometimes occur, especially when transportation is provided out of the zoned school area, for example when transporting to or from a specialized school shared among neighboring school districts. The Transportation Department routes bus runs as efficiently as possible within the limits of the school bus fleet resources.

State law does not allow parents or other adults to board a school bus or impede its progress in any way. Violations of the state law may result in arrest and, if convicted, monetary fine and/or jail time. This law protects the safety of students and helps assure that routes run on time. If a parent has a concern, the parent should communicate with the Transportation Department or school.

Only the principal may authorize field trip participants. A teacher, chaperone or coach allowing unauthorized participants to ride the bus incurs personal liability and liability for the school district for any injury or claims.

Yes. Assigned seats are required by the South Carolina Department of Education.

No. School bus drivers are responsible for maintaining order in accordance with the District’s Discipline Code. The safety and well-being of each student depends on following the standards of discipline outlined by the District. School bus drivers must be able to concentrate on driving at all times. Even momentary distraction can lead to a serious accident. State law requires the driver to report discipline and safety infractions to the school principal. The reports are referred to school administrators for appropriate action, including suspensions for misbehavior and safety infractions or termination of school bus privileges for repeated or severe infractions.

New hires will receive a $1000 signing bonus. $500 payable in October and $500 payable in May.

Pending update.

Any district staff member (excluding administrators) who recruits a successful bus driver is eligible for a $200 bonus.

South Carolina requires school bus drivers to have a Class B CDL with Passenger and School Bus endorsements. To earn the CDL, the driver must acquire a CDL learner’s permit by passing 4 academic tests—100 questions covering general CDL procedures, air brakes, passenger transport, and school bus operations. SCDMV requires a minimum of 10 hours of driving instruction prior to the CDL road examination. The average driver requires 15 to 20 hours of driving instruction before the road examination. SCDE further requires certification of each school bus driver before permitting them to transport students. Certification includes 20 hours of classroom instruction and a separate road examination focused on school bus operations. DD2 driver candidates are paid at a training rate of $16.28 per hour during the driving instruction after successfully acquiring the learner’s permit. After passing the CDL and SCDE certificate road evaluations, and signing on with DD2, we reimburse the drivers for the 20 hours of classroom instruction at the training rate.

Supplemental work options include serving as cafeteria monitors, custodial support, and secretarial support