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.

Background: Riding a school bus is a privilege and not a student right. 

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 recorded video.  Bus drivers shall report discipline issues to the transportation supervisor who will discuss the situation with either the principal, the assistant principal of the child's school, or the Director of Facilities and Grounds. 

Procedures:  The following rules will be enforced for the protection and safety of all who ride the bus. 

1.   The bus driver has the same authority as a teacher in the classroom to maintain a safe and respectful environment.

2.   Students at the bus stop are expected to follow all safety rules.  Students shall stay ten feet back from the loading zone until the bus comes to a complete stop.

3.   Students should plan on being at their bus stop five minutes prior to the scheduled time of bus arrival. Drivers will not wait for tardy students.

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

5.  Dangerous conduct is unacceptable.  Specific types of dangerous conduct include students getting out of their seats, tripping others, fighting, putting any part of their body out of the window, throwing things in or out of the bus, etc.

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

7.  Destruction of property or stealing shall 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 isolated stops will be requested to call if a bus is not needed.

12.  Students are not permitted to bring objects which are too large to be held on their laps.  Exceptions are sports equipment, band instruments, and items required for use in the classroom or other extra-curricular activities. 

13.  Cleats shall not  be worn on the bus.

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.)

15. Bus drivers are in charge of the students when they are embarked and being transported on the bus.  Drivers will first attempt to discuss inappropriate behavior with the student.  If the inappropriate behavior continues, then the following procedures will be followed.

1st through 3rd offense:

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

Fourth and additional offenses: 

1.   The student shall immediately lose their privilege to ride the bus for five school days from the date the fourth or subsequent warnings are issued.  Student/athletes will not be transported to competitions or off site practice areas, and will be ineligible to participate in athletic competitions for the duration of the lost of privileges. 

2. Parents and students shall meet and conference with the Principal or Assistant Principal, the bus driver, the Transportation Supervisor, the parents/guardians, and the student.  The following will be part of the meeting:

    (1). Review of documentation of the incident.

    (2). View recordings of the incident if available and appropriate.

 (3). Identify changes that could be made to ensure safe student conduct on the bus in the future.

3.  At the conclusion of this meeting, the building principal shall decide if the student will be prohibited from riding the bus for less than, or more than a minimum of five days up to and including the remainder of the school year.  The principal may also decide to suspend the student from school based on the seriousness of the student’s inappropriate behavior on the bus.

Students being transported to and from the Bath vocational program may have additional requirements as articulated and expected by the program’s administrators 

Adopted           12-02-04

Revised 1/5/21