FILE: JCDAD
SCHOOL BUS CONDUCT REGULATIONS FOR PUPILS RIDING SCHOOL BUSES
Conduct aboard a school bus need not be formal; an informal, relaxed atmosphere is desirable. Behavior while riding the school bus is part of the overall learning process and drivers do have an influence on the development of students.
The bus driver is in full charge of the bus and the students. Students shall obey the driver cheerfully and promptly. A bus driver must always have a firm but friendly control over the students while they are aboard the bus. The attitude of the bus driver towards the students will determine how well the driver will be able to exercise necessary control.
Drivers’ control over students should be sufficient to assure that:
Students shall enter and leave the bus in orderly fashion and in accordance with instructions.
Students shall remain quiet enough not to distract the driver.
Students shall be seated and remain seated while the bus is in motion.
Students shall obey and respect the orders of the regular or substitute bus driver.
Students shall be on time; the bus cannot wait for those who are not on time.
Students who cross the road after alighting from the bus should pass in front of the bus while the bus remains parked and not behind it. The driver should see that the way is clear before the student is permitted to cross the road.
Students shall not destroy property.
Students shall not throw objects in the bus nor out windows.
Students shall not extend arms or other parts of the body out of the windows.
Students shall not be permitted to board the bus if they have any of the following items in their possession: Tobacco, Drugs, Alcohol, Weapons, Obscene Literature, Animals (Cats, Dogs, etc.)
Unless permission is given, students, while aboard a school bus, shall not be permitted to eat or drink.
Smoking is prohibited at all times.
Students shall be required to have written permission from their parents to get off at a different stop.
The written permission shall be given to the principal.
Students shall observe the following:
Be at their assigned loading zone on time.
Exercise extreme caution in getting to and from their assigned bus stop.
Look in both directions before stepping from behind parked cars to get to their assigned bus stop.
Look in both directions before crossing any highway or street.
Do not play on or near the street while waiting for the bus to arrive.
Stay well off the roadway until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver indicates that it is safe to board the bus.
Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before trying to load or unload.
Use the handrail while getting on or off the bus.
Do not bring unauthorized articles on the bus (i.e. pets, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, etc.)
No spitting on the floor of the bus. Anyone doing so will be reported to the principal.
Do not throw waste paper or other rubbish on the floor of the bus.
Do not mar or otherwise deface the bus.
Do not smoke on the bus.
Avoid unnecessary conversation with the driver.
Abstain from the use of profane language and/or obscene gestures.
Talk to your friends in a normal tone. Do not shout.
Keep arms, head and legs inside the bus at all times.
Do not fight or scuffle on the bus.
Do not leave the bus without the driver's consent, except at home or at school and through the front door except in an emergency.
Report to the driver at once any damages to the bus.
Be courteous to and follow the instructions of the bus driver.
Should any student persist in violating any of these regulations, it shall be the duty of the bus driver to notify the principal and after due warning has been given to the student, the principal shall then forbid such disobedient student the privilege of riding the bus for a specified amount of time. Violation of bus regulations may also result in in-school suspension, or regular suspension from school. Written notice of the action of the principal shall be furnished to the parent and the transportation director.
Should the conduct of the student on the bus endanger the lives, safety, or morals of other people, and the offending student fails to cease such conduct when requested by the driver to do so, it shall be the duty of the driver to put the offender off of the bus at the nearest school and report his/her action to the principal at the school, to the principal of the school the student attends and to the transportation director immediately. This should be done only in extreme cases and as a last resort to protect the safety of other students.
Violations of bus policy may result in the following:
A temporary or permanent suspension from riding the bus.
In-school suspension.
Regular suspension from school.
Should someone other than the bus driver, such as school employees or other appointed persons, be responsible for students on the bus, the above rules shall still be enforced and must be obeyed.
Adopted: September 18, 1985
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board