Parents wishing to discuss their student’s behavior on the bus need to contact the Transportation Department (586-1394).  Please have some basic information ready such as the school the child attends, the name of the bus driver, bus number or bus animal, and the time and day(s) of concern.Parents/Guardians - Please review the following expectations and bus rules with your student.  Students are expected to follow these rules at all times.  We ask that you emphasize the importance of safety while walking to and from the bus, while waiting for the bus and while on the bus.  YOU ARE REMINDED THAT SCHOOL BUS RIDING IS A PRIVILEGE; ANY INFRACTION OF THE RULES MAY RESULT IN DISCONTINUATION OF BUS RIDING PRIVILEGES. Thank you for your support.

Student Conduct at a Bus Stop

Students are expected to respect people and property in and around the bus stop.  Parents are monetarily responsible for the defacing or destruction of public or private property which is caused by their student. It is the parent's responsibility to ensure that their student does not bully, fight, harass, push or otherwise disrespect other students on the way to or from and at the bus stop. Students' misconduct on or in the vicinity of a bus shall be sufficient reason to discontinue providing bus transportation to those involved.  We strongly encourage parents to accompany their student to the bus stop, especially those bus stops that service a large number of students.

Students need to leave their home early enough to arrive at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled bus arrival time.  Students who have to walk along the roadway to the bus loading zone shall, where practical, walk on the left-hand side facing the oncoming traffic.  This also applies to students leaving the bus drop-off zone after school.Students may board or exit only at their assigned bus stop.  Students shall not stand or play in the roadway while waiting for the bus.  When the bus approaches, students are to stand ten feet from the bus, line up single file, and wait for the driver's signal to load.  When entering or exiting the bus, proceed in an orderly fashion and be in view of the driver.  ALWAYS cross in front of the bus and wait for the driver's signal before proceeding across the road.  Failure to cross in front is very dangerous and may result in the student’s loss of bus riding privileges.

Bus Conduct Rules for Riding on the Bus

The driver is in full charge of the bus and students.   Each student shall follow all directions of the driver willingly the first time they are given.  Students are to show respect for the driver and other students on the bus.  Harassment (teasing, shouting, pushing, intimidation, or fighting) is not acceptable and will not be allowed at any time.  Classroom conduct is the accepted behavior on a school bus.  Classroom conduct, as used here, is interpreted to mean:  following the driver's directions, remaining properly seated, talking quietly with other students in the immediate vicinity only, and keeping your hands and personal items to yourself.  Do not yell or scream and no horse-play.  Ask the bus driver before opening a window.  Keep all body parts inside and do not throw things in or out of the bus.  Do not yell out the window. Buses carry all grade levels simultaneously.  Students need to remember that since all grade levels may be riding the bus, conversational content should be structured accordingly.  Drivers may separate the students by grades or schools, usually with the younger students sitting towards the front of the bus.  Seat assignments may be mandatory at the discretion of the bus driver and, if so, students are required to sit in their assigned seats.

Each student must see that his/her books and personal belongings are kept out of the aisle.  Items such as tennis rackets, baseball bats, etc. must be in a box, bag, backpack, or sport bag—these and other loose items need to be held on the student’s lap or between their legs.  Special permission must be granted by transportation authorities to transport any large items. Large band instruments cannot be transported on buses on to and from school routes. 

• Help keep the bus clean.  Eating and drinking is not allowed.
• Leave all controls and equipment alone unless directed by the driver.
• No item made partially or completely of glass is allowed on a bus, for example glass jars, baking dishes, or vases.  Please keep this in mind when sending home-made projects, baked goods, etc. to school. 
• With the exception of special service animals, no live animals including pets, insects, worms, etc. are allowed on a bus.

Certain activities will result in suspension outside the guidelines of the Student Discipline policy (for student discipline information, see Consequences for Student Bus Misconduct). When the misconduct is deemed to be exceptional, the Transportation Supervisor has the authority to enact the bus suspension immediately on the day of the offense.  Listed below are certain activities which will result in suspension, even though the student may have never previously received a discipline slip.

• Fighting on the bus—all parties
• Possession of a firearm or dangerous weapon (or any item that resembles a weapon).  This includes such items as guns, pocket knives, toy guns, squirt guns, rubber knives, etc.  A student who brings any such item on the bus will be suspended immediately.
• Possession or use of alcoholic beverages; tobacco products of any kind; and/or drugs and drug paraphernalia are not permitted on school property and will not be allowed on a school bus.
• Use of sparking devices, including matches
• Obscene gestures, profanity or threats directed at the bus driver.
• Vandalizing or destroying district or private property.  Parents are monetarily responsible for any damage their student may cause.
• Laser Pens are not allowed on a school bus.  If a student is found in possession of a laser pen, the driver will take possession of it.  It is illegal to point or direct the beam of the laser in the driver’s eye or mirror—in the event this occurs, legal action and suspension will occur.
• Theft
• Extortion, intimidation, assault or harassment
• Any conduct that endangers the passengers on the bus.

Consequences for Student Bus Misconduct

The school bus driver will use various student management procedures.  Some of these procedures may include verbal warnings, moving a student to another seat, assigning a seat and calling parents.  In the case of continuing problems or safety issues, the bus driver will generate a Student Discipline slip.

Step 1 - The first official written student misconduct slip is considered the first step in the discipline process.  The bus driver will generate a written Student Discipline slip for documentation; this will be given to the school principal and he/she will conference with the student.  Parents will be contacted.

Step 2 - In the event of a second misconduct incident, the driver will complete another Student Discipline slip.  The school principal will conference with the student and parent/guardian. The student will loose bus riding privileges for three days.  Parents are encouraged to work with the driver and student to avoid further problems.

Step 3 - A third student misconduct incident will result in another parent conference and a five day suspension of the student’s bus riding privileges.   

Fourth Report – 10-day suspension

Fifth Report – 20-day suspension

Sixth Report – Remainder of school year suspension Although bus riding privileges have been revoked, state law still requires the student to attend school. 

Parents/Guardians: You will be responsible for getting your child to and from school when bus-riding privileges are suspended. 

Exceptional Misconduct

Some violations are severe and require skipping steps listed above.   These include but are not limited to: sexual behavior; use or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol; hitting or physical violence (all participants); possession of dangerous weapons, firearms, incendiary devices; possession of any item that resembles a dangerous weapon i.e. squirt gun; theft; extortion; intimidation; assault; or harassment; possession of tobacco products; or any other conduct that endangers the safety of passengers on the bus. In some cases of exceptional misconduct behavior, immediate suspension will begin the day of the offense for an indefinite length of time.  The Transportation Supervisor will meet with the school principal to discuss the consequences of the student’s action and the length of suspension.  Parents will be notified.