**If you have questions about bus routes, please call our Director of Transportation, Donna Babcock, at 908-979-7373, ext 7311**
The majority of Bragg School students ride a bus to and from school each day. We believe the bus is an extension of the school day and students are expected to maintain the same Code of Conduct and safety awareness that they do in school. For answers to any questions about buses, parents may contact our Transportation Coordinator at (908)879-7373, ext. 7311.
Bus Conduct
For the safety of all riders, students will adhere to the following rules of conduct and behavior:
•Show respect for the driver and other adults through both words and actions
•Show respect for the other passengers through both words and actions
6d
While at the bus stop, students will:
•Be on time for the bus.
•Keep at least 6 feet away from the edge of the road when the bus approaches.
•Do not engage in pushing, shoving, ball playing, game playing, or any other activity that could place students in danger of being injured.
•If crossing a road to board the bus, cross in front of the bus and only after the driver signals that it is safe to cross and bus lights are flashing.
While on the bus, students will:
•Behave in an appropriate manner so as not to distract the driver.
•Refrain from throwing objects.
•Remain in assigned seat at all times (no changing of seats).
•Wear seat belts at all times.
•Keep head, arms, and legs in the bus, not extended out the window.
•Speak in a reasonable tone of voice. Do not call out to passers-by or shout to other passengers.
•Keep the bus clean. No eating, drinking, chewing gum, or littering
•Refrain from fighting, spitting, threatening of other students, and vandalism as these are strictly prohibited.
Upon departing the bus, students will:
•Remain seated until the bus has completely stopped and the driver has opened the door.
•Cross in front of the bus. Cross only when the driver gives the go ahead and bus lights are flashing.
•Go directly into the school building, to home, or to a previously arranged destination.
•Do not push, shove, or engage in any unruly behavior that could endanger other departing passengers.
The Board of Education permits a temporary change of stop or bus in the case of extreme emergency, only with the approval of the building principal. The Board has further authorized principals to allow other temporary changes if a parent has a specific need for a change of stop. However, this can be done only if the sending and receiving parents of all children involved submit written permission to the building principal. At all other times children must board and depart the bus only at the stop to which he/she has been assigned.
Penalties for Misconduct or Violations of Bus Rules: A student may be excluded from bus privileges by the building principal for disciplinary reasons. The parent or legal guardian will be required to provide transportation to and from school during the time when bus privileges are revoked. The following penalties will be enforced when students violate the previously mentioned rules and procedures:
1st Offense: The driver will fill out a Bus Conduct Report that will be given to the building principal. The principal or designee may assign an in-school consequence to the student. The parent/legal guardian will be notified. If, however, the first offense is serious enough, it may result in suspension of bus privileges, as deemed necessary by the principal. This suspension is normally for three days; however, it may be for up to 10 days.
2nd Offense: The building principal or designee will contact the parent/legal guardian either by phone or in a meeting to alert them to the offense. The student may receive an in-school, before or after-school detention. In addition, a second offence may result in suspension of bus privileges for up to 10 days.
3rd Offense: The student will lose his/her bus privilege for a period of up to 10 days. Additionally, a parent meeting will be required before the student regains bus privileges. In this process the student will be afforded a hearing before the building principal or other supervisor in the principal’s absence before the loss of bus privileges occurs. This suspension may not exceed 10 days.
4th and Subsequent Offenses: The student will lose bus privileges for a period of up to 10 school days with additional in-school penalties assigned by the building principal. The parent/ guardian will be required to meet with the principal or designee. The student and his parent/guardian will be entitled to a hearing with the principal before the loss of bus privileges occurs. Additionally, the parent/ guardian have the right to appeal this penalty to the Superintendent.
Penalties assessed by the principal include, but are not limited to, the following:
•Apology to the driver and other students
•Meeting with law enforcement personnel
•Special projects agreed upon by principal and parents
Continued infractions of the rules of bus conduct will result in a hearing before the Board of Education. This could result in a loss of bus privileges for the remainder of the school year.