TRANSPORTATION
School Bus Procedures
School bus transportation is a privilege. Missing the bus is not a lawful absence. Transportation can be denied to any student who jeopardizes bus safety, damages property or commits any offenses described, but not limited to those identified under behavior violations. Parents will be expected to provide transportation for any student whose privileges have been suspended. Students must obey and cooperate with the bus driver, teachers, or any other persons assigned to supervise any part of the school transportation system. Students will be required to sit in assigned seats as directed by the driver. The bus driver has authority to discipline the pupils on his/her bus.
Students should:
a. Obey the bus driver
b. Be at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to pickup
c. Enter the bus and take their seats without disturbing others
d. Talk in a normal voice, no shouting
e. Never put their arms or head out of the windows
f. Remain in their seats while the bus is in motion
g. Ride only their assigned buses
h. Wear seat belts at all times on those vehicles which have them installed
Students should not:
a. Throw items on the bus or from the bus at any time
b. Eat or drink on the bus at any time
c. Play any type of radio, tape or CD player or musical instrument on the bus
d. Use tobacco or electronic cigarettes on a school bus
e. Take items that cannot fit on a student’s lap on the bus
Procedures for Bus Misconduct
The school bus driver is expected to be in complete control of the bus and its passengers at all times. When serious misconduct occurs or when misconduct is repeated, the school bus driver is expected to report such action to the school principal or designee. The school principal will take whatever action he/she deems necessary to correct the situation. Parents will be advised by the building principal when reports of misconduct are made to the school office. The building principal and assistant principal are the only ones with the authority to suspend transportation privileges. A parent of a student whose transportation privilege is suspended must confer with the school administration before the privilege is restored.
Behavior Violations
The following are examples of offenses, which will result in disciplinary action, and/or suspension of transportation privileges:
1. Fighting
2. Use of tobacco or electronic cigarettes
3. Eating/Drinking
4. Damaging property
5. Standing, walking, refusing to remain seated
6. Throwing objects in or out of bus
7. Hanging any body part out of the windows
8. Unnecessary/Excessive noise
9. Profanity and/or inappropriate language
10. Tampering with bus equipment (Ex: emergency doors, etc.)
11. Refusing to ride assigned bus or riding on an unassigned bus without prior permission
12. Boarding a bus at an unassigned stop
13. Leaving a bus at an unassigned stop
14. Refusing to obey the driver
15. Refusing to sit in an assigned seat
16. Any violation of the student discipline codes
17. Other misbehavior related to safety, well-being
Large Articles on Busses
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation mandates in 67 Pa. Code º171.58, that the interior of a school bus must be free of objects which could cause injury. Objects must be secured, and the aisles and emergency exits open and free of blockage. The following must be adhered to at all times:
1. Large band instruments or school project items are not permitted on the bus unless they can be held on the pupil’s lap.
2. Items may not be placed under seats; they become projectiles upon impact.
3. Nothing can be carried on the bus that will endanger others, i.e. glass objects, hockey sticks, skis, skateboards, large metal objects, etc.
4. Animals are not permitted on the bus.
5. Nothing can be placed in the driver’s compartment, doorway or aisle. In case of an accident, students must be able to exit out of windows and doors.
Conduct at the Bus Stop
Students are expected to arrive at the school bus stop at least ten (10) minutes prior to pick-up time. They should wait off the street or roadway and conduct themselves in a responsible manner. Students should never accept rides from strangers.
Bus Stop Changes
The bus driver is only allowed to stop at School District authorized stops. Any changes in stops must first be approved by the Transportation Department. To make a change, please call (610) 286-8600 x1624.
Video Monitoring
The Board recognizes that serious misconduct on board a bus jeopardizes the safety of all passengers and that the limited use of video monitoring will help ensure safety by serving as a deterrent to serious misbehavior. The responsibility for maintaining reasonable discipline on board the district’s school busses begins with the individual driver. Bus Incident reports will continue to be the primary tool for use by the driver to report misconduct which he/she observes that cannot be corrected by less formal means, such as reassigning seats or giving verbal warnings. These reports are forwarded to the responsible building principal for corrective disciplinary action as per existing district guidelines or procedures. If patterns develop or violations occur, the principal and/or bus driver may request the use of video-audio monitoring. The District Operations Director will review and approve or disapprove the request. Upon approval, the video-audio monitoring device will be installed. The device will be installed on an as-needed basis. A warning (via a posted decal) informs riders that a video-audio monitoring system may be used at any time. Disks will be erased and re-recorded if no incidents occur.
Reviews of video-audio disks will be limited to the Principal, District Operations Director, the Superintendent’s Designee and the Superintendent. During an expulsion hearing school directors have a right to view a video-audio if the video disk provides evidence in the case. Video-audio recorded documentation of misbehavior will be preserved only until the disciplinary action/disposition is reached. Thereafter, all recorded evidence of the misbehavior will be erased and/or recorded over.
The district shall comply with the provisions of federal and state law and regulations regarding student record requirements as applicable to the district’s use and disclosure of recordings. Recordings considered part of a student’s educational record shall be maintained in accordance with established student record procedures governing access, review and disclosure of student records. Accordingly, a parent/guardian will be permitted to view a tape only if no other student is identified. A request for viewing a video-audio disk may be made by a student’s parents or guardians if the student has been videotaped and disciplinary action has been recommended. All requests should be in writing addressed to the principal of the student’s school.
Driving and Parking Regulations
Sophomore, Junior or Senior students in good academic standing who wish to drive to school must apply and be granted a parking permit from the high school office. Approved students will be issued a parking permit that must be properly displayed on their rearview mirror when parked on school property. Students must register their vehicle by make, model, color, and license plate number. Upon arrival to school, students are to leave their cars and enter the building. Loitering in the parking lot may result in losing driving privileges. The driver is responsible for the car, its contents, and its occupants.
Note: All motor vehicles parked on school property are subject to search by administration at any time. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy regarding vehicles while parked on school property.
1. All students driving vehicles on school property must comply with the 10 MPH school speed limit. Students may not drive recklessly, the wrong way, or interfere with the arrival or departure of buses.
2. Students are not permitted to use their motor vehicles at any time during school hours without written permission from their parents and school administration.
3. Students are not permitted to enter their vehicles at any time during school hours without permission from school administration.
4. Students who are chronically tardy to school, leave school without permission, or abuse the driving/parking regulations will have their driving privileges removed in addition to disciplinary actions.
5. Students must park in the student spots only. No student is permitted in a staff spot or a visitor spot at any time.
6. Students driving to school without permission risk school consequences and/or towing of their vehicle.
First Offense: 1 week driving suspension
Subsequent Offense: Detention/Suspension
Fines (up to $20/day)
Loss of driving/parking privileges
Prosecution by school officials or police
Vehicle towed at owner’s expense
Note: Student driving and parking is a privilege and that privilege can, and will be suspended for just cause. Failure to comply with the above list of regulations will result in the loss of driving/parking privileges, levying of fines, prosecution by school officials or the police, or the vehicle being towed from Twin Valley High School premises at the owner’s expense.