Student safety is everybody’s business.
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) conducts a comprehensive program to promote school bus safety that includes:
PWCS’ school buses are equipped with flashing lights and a stop arm to warn drivers to stop for buses that are loading and unloading students. School buses are also equipped with video cameras to help monitor student behavior.
All school buses conduct emergency exit drills at the beginning of the school year and the third marking period.
PWCS schools regularly review school bus rules and provide safety training.
As required by the Virginia Administrative Code, PWCS conducts a comprehensive school bus safety instruction program for students in grades pre-K-1 during the first week of school each year. Additional safety training is provided on a periodic basis during the year.
When waiting for or boarding the bus, students should:
When students must cross a road to board the bus, students should:
When riding the bus, students should:
When exiting the bus, students should:
PWCS reviews information from emergency management, meteorologists, and state highway administrators about road conditions, and school personnel also inspect the conditions of roads throughout the county, sidewalks, parking lots, and bus lanes.
When appropriate, PWCS updates our operating status to protect the health and safety of students and staff.
When a two-hour delayed opening or early closure is warranted, PWCS will communicate with families as early as possible to allow ample planning time.
Learn more on the Closings, Delays, and Emergencies webpage.
When a two-hour delayed opening is announced, buses will arrive at bus stops two hours later than regularly scheduled.
Learn more on the Hazardous Conditions Codes webpage.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to review school bus rules and bus safety tips with their student at the beginning of each school year.
Parents/guardians (or their designees) are requested to accompany their young students to and from bus stops.
Motorists are reminded that they must stop for school buses that are displaying flashing red lights and a stop arm.
PWCS school buses are equipped with an eight-light warning system. These lights warn motorists about what the school bus is doing. When school buses are preparing to load/unload students, the yellow traffic warning lights will flash. Once the bus has come to a complete stop, red traffic warning lights will flash, the stop arm will be extended from the side of the bus, and a crossing gate will extend for added safety and visibility.
Police are serious about enforcing the law, especially around schools, school crossings, and buses traveling on area roads. Such enforcement, along with motorists who exercise constant courtesy and caution when near school buses, helps ensure that PWCS students and drivers stay safe while traveling to or from school.
PWCS school bus drivers complete a comprehensive, paid training program culminating in drivers receiving a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and completing first-aid certification.
All PWCS bus drivers undergo a comprehensive background check. This process includes a driving record, medical, criminal background, and substance abuse screening, in addition to receiving personal references.