Students being transported by school bus are expected, regardless of the type of weather, to be at their designated bus stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives. Drivers will not wait on students.
Students are expected to learn and follow all bus rules as stated in the Student Discipline Section of this handbook. They should always cooperate with and listen to the bus driver or the substitute bus driver. Failure to do so may result in suspension of bus riding privileges by an administrator. Questions regarding the school bus program or bus routes may be addressed to the school principal or to the county bus supervisor at 770-784-2909.
- The bus driver is responsible for each child's safety and must be obeyed at all times.
He/she has the authority to assign seats.
- Please help keep the bus clean by not eating or drinking.
- Please be courteous to fellow riders and the driver. Use of profanity or violent acts will not be tolerated.
- For safety's sake, remain in the seat at all times and especially while the bus is in motion.
Keep hands, head, and feet inside the bus at all times.
- There must be no talking or distractions while at railroad crossings.
- Please be considerate of fellow riders by being on time and standing at the appointed stop. The bus will not stop or blow the horn if students are not at the bus stop.
- Be considerate of each parent/guardian's tax dollars by not marking on seats or being destructive.
- Always wait for the driver's signal before crossing roadway, and cross the roadway immediately in front of the bus.
- Yelling, screaming, hollering, or excessively loud talking is distracting and dangerous for the driver and is not permitted.
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- A student must ride his/her regular bus unless written permission from a legal guardian and/or a school official is provided.
- A student is not allowed to get on or off the bus at any other place than their regular stop without written permission from a legal guardian and/or a school official. NOTE:
Parents should not flag down buses for children to board or unload. Parents should not get children off the bus during dismissal.
Seven-Step Student Discipline Program
Working together, we are committed to defend the "educational day" by providing safe, clean and dependable student transportation.
The following represents the procedures a bus driver will take before completing and submitting a bus discipline referral:
Step 1: Driver assigns each student to a specific seat by the end of the third day of the school year.
Step 2: Driver speaks privately to the student on school property.
Step 3: Driver reassigns student to the first seat on the door side of the bus.
Step 4: Driver requests zone supervisor meet the bus on school property and speak privately to the student concerning the behavior and the next steps to be taken should the behavior continue.
Step 5:Driver informs the student that a phone call will be made to their parent/guardian. The driver will speak to the parent/guardian using a script
requesting assistance with the behavioral concern.
Step 6: Transportation department will send a letter to the parent/guardian stating the behavioral concern and informing the parent that should the behavior continue the student will be referred to the school office for disciplinary action.
Step 7: Driver completes a bus discipline referral form and attaches their documentation relative to previous attempts to address the behavioral concern. The driver will submit the form to the appropriate school administrator.
The following represents the procedures for schools relative to bus discipline referrals:
- First bus discipline referral: With proper documentation and verification of the behavioral concern, the school administrator will suspend the student from the bus for three days. A school administrator will request that the parent/guardian come to the school and speak with an administrator concerning school bus safety. If the parent meets with a school administrator, the student will be allowed to return to the bus immediately. Should the parent/guardian refuse to meet with an administrator, the student will be suspended for three days. After the parent/guardian meets with a school administrator or completes the three day suspension, the student may return to the bus. The driver will begin with step one of the process to address additional discipline problems.
- Second bus discipline referral: With proper documentation and verification of the behavioral concern, the school administrator will suspend the student from the bus for five days. The school must contact the parent before the suspension begins. After five days, the student may return to the bus. The driver will begin with step one of the process to address additional discipline problems.
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- Third bus discipline referral: With proper documentation and verification of the behavioral concern, the school administrator will suspend the student from the bus for the remainder of the school year.
Note: Certain disciplinary infractions may result in the immediate submission of a bus discipline referral. Students with special needs may not be able to comply with this program, but every attempt to meet the same expectations should be made.