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There is an area around the bus that is called the Danger Zone. This is the most dangerous place to be around a bus. It is 10 feet wide and extends all the way around the bus; front, back and both sides. The only time you should ever be in this zone is when you are getting on or off the bus. You must stay out of this zone at all other times. 
On the graphic above, you can see the danger zone around the bus: it is red, for danger. The green strip on the right represents your yard (green grass, right?) The roadway is tan with the white center stripes showing. The bus is my bus, number 43. It really doesn't have a number on the roof, though some districts do have their ID numbers on the roof, mostly in big cities. On the right of the bus, there is a walkway. It is red and white striped. That is to show you that you can walk there but it is still in the danger zone. This is where you enter and exit the bus.
If you look closely, you can just see a line on the left side, sticking out of the bus--that is the "stop sign" to warn motorists that they must stop. In the front of the bus you can see the "crossing arm". This is another important safety feature. It is an "arm", that is yellow for warning, that comes out in front of the bus whenever the door is opened at a stop to pick up or drop off students. It is to remind them to walk at least 10 feet out in front of the bus so that the driver can see them. It folds back when the door is closed.
You must never, never go back into the danger zone once you get off and walk away from the bus; not even if you drop something or a paper blows out of your hand. If you need to get something---anything----you must first get the drivers attention and ask to get it. If you do not get their attention, then forget it and get an adult to help you later. Never go back into the danger zone without the driver knowing that you are there. 
Seventy five percent of injuries, including fatalities, happen outside the bus in the danger zone. Of these, most are under 9 years old. Please go over these rules with your children on a regular basis. 
Never go into the Danger Zone
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