5320
STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES
The Board of Education believes it is crucial for students to behave appropriately while riding on district buses, to ensure their safety, that of other passengers, and the fewest possible distractions for bus drivers.
Some students are eligible for district transportation. While the law requires the district to furnish transportation for such students, it does not relieve parent(s) or guardian(s) of the responsibility for supervision until such time as the child boards the bus in the morning and after the child leaves the bus at the end of the school day. Only after a child boards the bus does he/she become the responsibility of the district. Such responsibility shall end when the child is delivered to the regular bus stop at the close of the school day.
Since the school bus may be regarded as an extension of the classroom, the Board shall require children conduct themselves on the bus in a manner consistent with established standards for classroom behavior. The bus driver shall be responsible for the bus and its passengers. Students shall follow the directions of the bus driver. It is important that those waiting for buses conduct themselves properly in respect to the rights and property of others.
Disciplinary Measures for Violations of Bus Regulations
If a child commits an initial and minor infraction of the bus regulations, the bus driver may take whatever actions are necessary for the purpose of preventing further violations, including, but not limited to: reprimand, assignment of a seat, and/or notification to parent(s) or guardian(s).
If a child does not conduct himself/herself properly on a bus after an initial or minor infraction, the bus driver will record such instances on a School Bus Incident Report which shall be submitted to the Principal. The Principal will inform the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child of the misconduct and request their cooperation in correcting the behavior of the child. Unless the behavior of the child presents a clear and immediate threat to the safety and welfare of others, a conference will be held between the child and the Principal to provide such child with an opportunity to resolve the matter.
If the child violates the bus regulations another time, the Building Principal will hold a conference with the parent(s) or guardian(s) of such child to review the past behavior of the child and to gain the support of the parent(s) or guardian(s) in preventing further disciplinary problems. The child and the parent(s) or guardian(s) will notified that riding privileges may be suspended if the child continues to be a disciplinary problem.
5320
Children who become a serious and continuing disciplinary problem on the school bus or whose behavior presents a clear and immediate threat to the safety or welfare of others may have their riding privileges suspended for one (1) to ten (10) days by the Principal. Children may also be suspended from district transportation for the balance of the school year after a formal hearing conducted by the Superintendent of Schools. Children who seriously misbehave on the bus may also be subject to suspension from school.
In such cases, the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the children involved shall become responsible for seeing that their children get to and from school safely. Should the suspension from transportation amount to a suspension from attendance; the school district will make appropriate arrangements to provide for the student's education. Any such suspension shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Education Law.
Cross-ref: 8410, Student Transportation
Ref: Education Law '3635
Matter of Hale, 30 EDR 26 (1990)
Adoption
date:
5320-R
STUDENT
CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES REGULATION
In order to ensure the safe and pleasant transportation of students to and from school, the following rules shall be observed by all students eligible for district transportation:
1. The directions of the bus driver must be followed at all times. The bus driver may assign seats.
2. No profanity is allowed.
3. No eating or drinking are allowed regular bus runs.
4. Students must keep the bus clean. Students must properly dispose of all litter or remove such litter from the bus. Students must remove all their possessions when they leave the bus.
5. Students may not throw any objects from the bus.
6. No violence is allowed. Excessive noise, pushing, shoving and fighting will not be tolerated.
7. Students must remain in their seats.
8. No smoking is allowed.
9. Students must keep their heads and hands inside the bus. Windows may be opened if the bus driver approves.
10. Students may not destroy any district property in or on the bus.
11. Students may not distract the bus driver. Conversation may not exceed a reasonable volume level. Students may not speak to the bus driver, except in an emergency.
12. Students must be at the bus stop and ready to board when the bus arrives.
13. Students may only cross highways when the bus has stopped and the bus driver directs the students to cross. Such students must pass ten (10) feet in front of the bus.
14. Students must keep the aisle clear of all objects including musical instruments, books and feet. Objects which roll must be contained in bags.
Adoption date: