STUDENT CONDUCT ON BUSES

MISSION STATEMENT

To transport students safely to and from their destination.

Purpose To provide guidelines in order that bus conveyances shall conserve the comfort, safety and welfare of the pupils conveyed and shall be in the charge of a responsible driver who shall have control over the conduct of the pupils while they are being conveyed.

The parent/guardian is responsible for the supervision of their child until such time as the child boards the bus in the morning and after the child is discharged upon his/ her return.

Once the child boards the bus he/she becomes the responsibility of the school district. Such responsibility shall end when the child is delivered to their bus stop at the close of the school day.

Students are required to conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with established standards for school and classroom behavior.

In such cases when a child does not conduct him/herself properly on the bus, such instances shall be specified in writing and/or on video tape and shall be discussed with the principal of the child's school by the bus driver.

THE FOLLOWING RULES ARE FOR THE PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF ALL THOSE WHO RIDES A BUS:

1. The bus driver has the same authority as a teacher in the classroom.

2. Students at the bus stop are expected to follow all safety rules.

3. Students should plan on being at their bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled time of bus arrival. Drivers will not wait for tardy students. Students are to stay 10 feet back from the loading zone.

4. Students should be courteous and respectful to the driver and other passengers.

5. Dangerous conduct is unacceptable. Students should not get out of their seats, trip others, put any part of their body out of the window, throw things in or out of the bus, etc.

6. Students shall not use profane language or obscene gestures.

7. Destruction of property or stealing will require restitution .

8. Per school committee policy, illegal substances and weapons or anything used as a weapon are strictly prohibited.

9. Emergency doors must be closed except in case of emergency.

10. Students must always cross in front of the bus.

11. Parents/guardians of students at isolate d stops will be requested to call if a bus is not needed.

12. Students are not permitted to bring any object which is too big to be held on their laps. (Exception: sports equipment)

13. No cleats will be worn on the bus at any time.

14. These rules apply to all regular runs, field trips, and sporting events. (Teachers are also expected to sit among the students to help monitor behavior.)

BUS DRIVERS ARE IN CHARGE. THE DRIVER'S FIRST STEP MAY BE CONVERSATION WITH THE STUDENT. AFTER THAT, IF RULES ARE BROKEN, THEN THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WILL TAKE PLACE.

1st through 3rd offense:

The bus driver will document the incident and give to the transportation supervisor who will forward a copy to the building administrator. The administrator will contact the parents.

Suspension will occur any time after the 3rd offense:

a. One - five days for the 4th offense

b. Further incidents will result in a conference with the student, the parents, school officials, and the driver. At this time, the student may be suspended from riding the bus for a designated period of time, up to and including the remainder of the year.

The student may not ride the bus from the date the fifth warning is issued to the date of the conference.

c. Bath Vocational Bus transportation has additional stipulations outlined with those students.

The building principal reserves the right to go directly to the process for a fifth offense in the event of a very serious infraction at any point.

Adopted 12-02-04