A successful school day starts and ends with welcoming and safe transportation to school. Whether students walk, bike, take the bus, ride with parents, or drive themselves, FCCPS and the City of Falls Church are committed to ensuring that all students get to and from school safely and efficiently.

Many students ride to and from school using School Bus transportation. With the safety of each student in mind, FCCPS Transportation requests that parents/guardians share this information with all children. 

Expected Student Behaviors on Buses

At the Bus Stop

• Arrive at assigned bus stop at least 5 minutes before pick up. 

• Always use assigned stops for the morning and afternoon routes.

• Walk and do not run to and from the bus.

• Stand at least ten feet from the road.

• Await your turn to get on the bus. There is no need to push and shove. 

• When exiting, move quickly away from the bus.

• Wait for the driver to signal before crossing the street.

• Many bus stops are in front of neighbors' houses. Respect your neighbors.

  • Do not be loud and disruptive.

  • Be considerate of homes and yards.

  • Do not leave trash in yards or climb their trees. 

  • Keep pets out of yards.

• Never crawl underneath a school bus. If you drop something, tell the driver, and they will tell you what to do.

• If it is necessary to cross the street when boarding or departing a bus, always cross in the front of the bus with the aid of flashing lights.

On the Bus

• Always obey the bus driver, whose job is to look out for student safety.

• Remain seated while the bus is moving.

• Do not disturb or distract the driver.

• Talk softly and use language appropriate for school.

• Do not throw anything out the window or extend arms, hands or head out of the window.

• Keep the bus clean and sanitary.

• Respect school property by not damaging or defacing the bus.

Bus Assignments

• Bus stops are assigned using an automated routing system based on registered addresses where students reside.  

• Students are expected to ride to and from school on their assigned buses unless alternative arrangements have been made with the transportation department. This assists in maintaining appropriate student lists and minimizing overcrowding.  

• Families who need to request a special or alternative bus stop should contact the Transportation Department at FCCPSTransportation@fccps.org.

Large Items

• Projects or instruments too large to be held on a student's lap are not allowed on the bus. Please make arrangements for parents to drop large items off at school.

Cell Phones

• Students are allowed to use cell phones on the bus quietly. If it becomes a distraction, the bus driver will request the cell phone be put away. If it continues to be a problem, the cell phone may be confiscated. Bluetooth speakers are not permitted on school buses.

Walking/Biking

• Students do not need pre-approval to walk to or from school. Be sure to cross at the crosswalks and with the crossing guards when present. Bicycle riders must bike in the area where the school buses are loading and unloading.

Because Falls Church City is small and accessible, many families and students bike and walk to and from school . There are many benefits to this practice:

Health

• Students can socialize with peers.

• Builds confidence and encourages a sense of independence.

• Fresh air and an active start and end to the day!

• Improves fitness and mental health.

• Family bonding time and exercise.

Environmental

• Reduces emissions and serves a bigger purpose. This will contribute to the City’s goal of reducing emissions in half by 2030.

• Sets a good example for other city residents to follow.

• Creates consciousness about the environment and promotes a sustainable lifestyle.

• Reduces road congestion and frees up parking.

Academic

• Exercise on the way to school enhances student concentration and alertness in lessons according to a Danish

  study published in 2012.

Always wear a helmet! Find the perfect fit:

Place the helmet on your child's head. The rim should be one to two fingers-width above the eyebrows. Next, check the straps. Make sure the straps of the helmet form a "V" under your child's ears when buckled. The strap should be comfortable, but also tight enough to lie flat against the skin. This guide from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)  has more details on the perfect helmet fit.

Road Safety

• Avoid hard braking on gravel or similar surfaces, as this can cause a bicycle to slide out of control.

• Look left, right and left again to check for cars. If the road is clear, enter.

• Obey all traffic signals and stop signs.

• Ride bicycles in a single file line.

• Ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic. If there is a bike path, consider riding there.

• On West Broad Street, stay on the sidewalk and watch out for pedestrians.

• Stop before riding into the roadway from a driveway, sidewalk, parking lot or another street.

• Use hand signals to let cars know that you will be turning. Look back and yield to traffic coming from behind before turning left.

• Watch for uneven pavement or other surface problems that could cause you to crash.

• Wear brightly colored clothes so cars can see you, especially at night.

• When riding on a bike path, keep to the right. Only pass to the left of a person and make sure you warn them before passing.