Bus Rules: Behavior and Procedures

Students should follow these procedures when riding any district school bus:

· Students must remain seated until the bus reaches the student’s destination.

· Students are prohibited from fighting, loud talking, using vulgarity, pushing, spitting, throwing objects off the bus, horseplay, hanging out the windows, eating, drinking, chewing gum, or any other disruptive behavior.

· Students are expected to follow directions given by drivers and/or monitors.

· Students are not to damage or deface school property. Parents may be held responsible.

· Upon dismissals from the classroom, students are expected to report to their assigned buses in an orderly manner.

· Pets should not be allowed to accompany students to bus stops without being supervised and leashed.

· Students must be at their assigned bus stops at least five minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time.

· Students are to remain a safe distance from the road while waiting for the bus.

· Students are to ride only the buses to which they are assigned by their home address unless the principal or transportation director authorizes a change that morning. No exceptions!

· Bus drivers have the authority to assign seats for any reason.

· Students may not enter an empty bus parked on school grounds without the permission of the principal.

· Students should report unsafe behavior to the driver or the principal.

· If a student needs to ride a different bus than he or she normally rides; parents must send a note to school on the day the ride needs to be changed.  Permission will not be granted over the telephone except in emergency situations and must be approved by either Mr. Walton or our guidance counselor.

· It is unlawful for a parent or unauthorized person to board or delay a bus for any reason. Violators are considered to be trespassing and will be reported to the appropriate authorities. This policy will be strictly enforced due to the insurance of safety for all passengers onboard.

 

Disciplinary Procedures for Bus Riders

Riding a school bus is a privilege. The safety and well being of the students and the bus driver

are of utmost importance. It is the responsibility of the principal to act upon discipline referrals submitted by bus drivers. In cases of severe offenses, the principal, in consultation with the superintendent, may take direct action without following the regular sequence of consequences below.

1. On first offense, parents will be notified by letter and with a copy of the discipline report

2. If there is a second infraction, parents will again be notified by letter, discipline notice and telephone call.

3. Should a third infraction occur, parents will again be notified and the student will be removed from the bus for a minimum of three days.

4. In the event of a fourth infraction, parents will be notified by phone. The student will be removed from the bus for the remainder of the school year and disciplinary action consistent with school policy may be applied.

Suspension from the bus means suspension from all buses, morning, afternoon and all field trips, for the term of the suspension. However, the student may be allowed bus privileges on the afternoon the suspension occurs, unless other arrangements are made between the parent and the principal. The only adults authorized to ride a yellow school bus are LCPS personnel.