Conduct on school buses and consequences for misbehavior

Riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right. Students are expected to
follow the same behavior standards while riding school buses as are expected
on school property or at school activities, functions or events. All school
rules are in effect while a student is riding the bus or at the bus stop.
The school buses are provided for your transportation to and from your home
and school. Because of the routing, it is impossible to allow extra
passengersto use a certain bus at will. Consequently, no students are to
ride a bus other than their assigned bus without written permission from the
office.Students who wish this permission should contact the office. The note
from parent is to be signed by the office. Permission will be granted in
cases of family emergency, but not for parties or social events.

Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct will be imposed by the
building principal or the principal’s designee. In addition, all school
bus/bus stop misconduct will be reported to the district’s transportation
safety director. Serious misconduct will be reported to the department of
public safety and may be reported to local law enforcement.

A. School bus and bus stop rules

The school district school bus safety rules are to be posted on every bus. If
these rules are broken, the school district’s discipline procedures are to be
followed. Consequences are progressive and may include suspension of bus
privileges. It is the school bus driver’s responsibility to report
unacceptable behavior to the school district’stransportation office/school
office. The Transportation Director will contact the building principal who
will investigate.

B. Rules at the bus stop

1. Get to your bus stop 5 minutes before your scheduled pick up
time. The school bus driver will not wait for late students.
2. Respect the property of others while waiting at your bus stop.
3. Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.
4. Use appropriate language.
5. Stay away from the street, road or highway when waiting for
the bus. Wait until the bus stops before approaching the bus
6. After getting off the bus, move away from the bus.
7. If you must cross the street, always cross in front of the bus
where the driver can see you . Wait for the driver to signal
to you before crossing the street.
8. No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay.
9. No use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.

C. Rules on the bus
1. Immediately follow the directions of the driver.
2. Sit in your seat facing forward.
3. Talk quietly and use appropriate language.
4. Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.
5. Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself.
6. No fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay.
7. Do not throw any object.
8. No use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
9. Do not bring any weapon or dangerous objects on the bus
10. Do not damage the school bus.
11. Eating on the bus is at the discretion of the bus driver.

D. Consequences

Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct will apply to all regular and
late routes. Decisions regarding a student’s ability to ride the bus in
connection with co-curricular events (for example, field trips or
competitions) will be in the sole discretion of the school district. Parents
or guardians will be notified of any suspension of bus privileges.

1. Elementary (PreK-6)
1st offense - warning
2nd offense - 3 school day suspension from riding the bus
3rd offense - 5 school day suspension from riding the bus
4th offense - 10 school day suspension from riding the
bus/meeting with parent
Further offenses - individually considered. Students may be
suspended for longer periods of time, including the
remainder of the school year.
Note: When a student goes 60 calendar days without a report,
the student’s consequences may start over at the
first offense.

2. Secondary (7-12)
1st offense - warning
2nd offense - 5 day suspension from riding the bus
3rd offense - 10 day suspension from riding the bus
4th offense - 20 day suspension from riding the bus/meeting
with parent.
5th offense - suspended from riding the bus for the remainder
of the year.

3. Other discipline
Based on the severity of a student’s conduct, more serious
consequences may be imposed at any time. Depending on the
nature of the offense, consequences such as suspension or
expulsion from school may also result from school bus/bus
stop misconduct.

4. Records
Records of school bus/bus stop misconduct will be forwarded
to the individual school building and will be retained
in the same manner as other student discipline
records.Reports of serious misconduct will be provided to
the department of public safety. Records may also be
maintained in thetransportation office.

5. Vandalism/bus damage
Students damaging school buses will be responsible for the
damages. Failure to pay such damages (or make arrangements
to pay) within two weeks may result in the loss of bus
privileges until damages are paid.

6. Notice
Students will be given a copy of school bus and bus stop
rules during school bus safety training. Rules are to
be posted on each bus and both rules and consequences will
be periodically reviewed with students by the driver.

7. Criminal conduct
In cases involving criminal conduct (for example; assault,
weapons, possession or vandalism), the superintendent, local
law enforcement officials and the department of public safety
will be informed.

III. Parent and guardian involvement

A. Parent/guardian responsibilities for transportation safety

1. Become familiar with district rules and policies, regulations
and principles of school bus safety.
2. Assist students in understanding safety rules and encourage
them to abide by them.
3. Recognize the parents’ responsibilities for the actions of
their children.
4. Support safe riding practices and reasonable discipline
efforts.
5. When appropriate, assist students in safely crossing local
streets before boarding and after leaving the bus.
6. Support procedures for emergency evacuation, and procedures
in emergencies as set up by the school district.
7. Respect the rights and privileges of others.
8. Communicate safety concerns to school administrators.
9. Monitor bus stops, if possible.
10. Support all efforts to improve school bus safety.

B. Parent and guardian notification

A copy of the school district bus and bus stop rules will
be provided to each family at the beginning of the school year
or when a child enrolls,if this occurs during the school year. Parents and
guardians are asked to review the rules with
their students.