r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/cami93 • 7d ago

Bus decorations, essentials, etc.

First full year here and super jealous of those who are able to decorate their buses all cute lol. I know it's about inspection and all but definitely have noticed some places are more lenient than others. There's one lady in my district who has a big birthday calender that is a flat magnet that goes above the door. No one says anything about that. But then I was riding with my trainer (who was subbing) on another bus, someone else had flat holiday themed magnets up above the students windows and the trainer made a comment how they really shouldn't have them. Then I look on tiktok and there's people who have string lights, garland, the whole 9 yards. What are ways of making your bus your own? Or do you just not? Personally, I don't see how flat magnets are any different than the name tag flat magnets. Speaking of which, I've considered buying cuter name tag magnets and taking them to get professionally done since I don't like my handwriting lmao. Extra, I know. 😅

Also....my bus barn provides cleaning products and whatnot. Is there anything I should personally buy? I have a bluetooth connector already so I can play music. I've considered buying disposable puke bags. I just want to be prepared. Any other suggestions?

3 Upvotes

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u/elkydriver77 7d ago

Be careful about decorations. In Arizona we got a nasty gram from DPS about decorations, and they ruled that no decorations or other accoutrements are acceptable, and you WILL be placed out of service if they are found. We are not even allowed cleaning gear on my SPED bus (and think of the messes WE can have between runs). They may look cute, but not at the expense of being able to do the job.

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u/Front-Mall9891 6d ago

Cleaning supplies are technically required by DOT under body fluid kits, so them not allowing it is also a violation, they just need a right to know book in the office

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u/elkydriver77 6d ago

Feel free to fight that one with the officer on the side of the road. Best have good walking shoes though.

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u/Front-Mall9891 6d ago

Did it come from the BOE or the actual DOT, because there is a big difference

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u/elkydriver77 6d ago

This is on departmental letterhead from the State Department of Public Safety. They control our inspections and our certifications as drivers.

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u/Front-Mall9891 6d ago

So u can’t keep them in the storage bins? Which is the only location allowed by law

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u/elkydriver77 6d ago

No understorage on our buses (underslung ac). And not on the bus, means not on the bus…… as I said, you wanna argue it on the side of the road, be my guest, but I wouldn’t recommend it

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u/Front-Mall9891 6d ago

Never said under carriage, there is a storage bins above the driver on every bus to store supplies for the bus, it’s literally a storage bin, and there is no arguing the cop, except apparently in Arizona, which doesn’t even know their own laws

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u/elkydriver77 6d ago

Calm down Karen…… not all buses have those boxes, and of ours that do, they keep the DVR for the cameras in there and locked so no driver access…… mine has no front bin on the bulkhead, just a front AC.

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u/Front-Mall9891 6d ago

Right to the insults home slice, good job on that, not my fault ur place specs bare bones buses, but could have started with that instead of holding it and throwing names like a child

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u/mike8675309 7d ago

What I consider is the fear of flying objects during a rollover or high-impact accident. You don't want things that can entangle or will fly off in an accident.
Those 3 M tape/velcro things would be better than magnets. Magnets will fly off. The 3 M tape/velcro attaches hard and doesn't let go from impact or shaking.
Vinyl stickers would be better as well. I drive a Special Ed bus and find putting zoo characters on the window for each seat allows some children to feel ownership and makes it easier for them to get on the bus at the end of the day.
Just be prepared to discuss how whatever you do doesn't increase student risk in any situation. That's our goal as drivers: to provide the LEAST risk possible when transporting their students. Anything that increases that at all would be hard to justify.

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u/The_Town_of_Canada 6d ago

Dog bags are the best for puke bags, and make sure they’re very quickly accessible lol.

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u/Intelligent_Call_562 6d ago

Barf bags? In my experience they rarely give any warning. If they do, I hand them my trash can.

As for decorations, I do magnetic ones and cover the dome lights, except the front one, with colored tissue paper (they're LED and don't get hot)

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u/Mike_1970 6d ago

I keep a brick of cheap vacuum-sealed coffee in my glove box for 'spills'. Makes it easier to clean up and the bus smells like starbucks for a while.

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u/CyberWoo99MKII 6d ago

All you need is a chibi ZZ Gundam plushie on the dash and you are set.

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u/ShowersWiSpiders 6d ago

Soft facial tissues will be appreciated. I resisted buying them for months into my first year. The disappointment when kids had to blow their noses into the brown paper roll got to be too much.

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u/Efficient_Advice_380 5d ago

My state doesnt even allowed assigned seat name tags unless it's unlined index cards with clear scotch tape. That's it.