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Transportation Safety and Discipline
School transportation is a very important part of the
education process of our school system. Our goal is to provide safe,
efficient transportation for all passengers to and from school and
school events.
An essential ingredient in achieving this goal is
appropriate student conduct on the bus. There are serious safety
concerns involved with the operation of school buses and it is expected
that all students will comply. When a bus driver’s attention is
diverted because of misconduct, a serious safety hazard develops.
Education is required by state law, transportation is not.
Because the bus is an extension of the school day, the code of conduct
also applies to behavior on the bus. Eligibility to ride the bus may be
revoked if students violate school bus conduct policy. This pamphlet
explains the rules, regulations and policies of Williamson County
Schools regarding student conduct while traveling on school system
buses.
RULES & REGULATIONS
The rules and
regulations regarding acceptable student conduct are developed by the
cooperative effort of the Transportation Director, School Principals,
Bus Drivers and Administrators.
School children being transported on a school bus are under the
supervision, direction and control of the school bus driver and shall be
subject to the discipline of the bus driver and student’s principal.
The bus driver will be competent and fair in dealing with students and
will be responsible to the principal for the conduct of students on the
bus.
Drivers will provide all students the safest, most
comfortable, and least troublesome journey to and from school.
In order to assure safe transportation while traveling on a
bus, certain rules for pupils have been established by the
Transportation Director.
1. Students shall obey the driver. The
driver must be totally in charge. Students shall respond promptly to
instructions given.
2. Each student will be seated in the
seats which they are assigned, take their seats promptly upon entering
the bus, and stay in their seat while the bus is in motion. No windows
or doors will be opened or closed except by permission of the bus
driver.
3. Students will not be allowed to
tease, scuffle, trip, hold, hit or use their hand, feet or body in any
objectionable manner.
4. The use of electronic devices or other
items in a manner that might interfere with the school bus communication
equipment or the driver’s operation of the school bus is prohibited.
This may include but is not limited to cell phones, audible radios, tape
or compact disc players, mirrors, lasers, flash cameras or other
reflective devices.
5. The use of alcohol, illegal drugs,
tobacco, eating, chewing gum or soda drinks on the bus is prohibited.
6. Students must observe classroom
conduct. Ordinary conversation is permitted. Loud, boisterous, profane
language and obscene gestures or indecent conduct will not be tolerated.
7. Students must keep the aisles clear of
items such as musical instruments, books, backpacks, etc. If student
must carry such items, they will NOT occupy another student seat nor
extend above the seat back. Animals (alive or dead), oversized objects
as well as glass containers are not permitted.
8. At no time will a student put hands,
head or other body parts out the window.
9. Students must treat bus equipment as
they would the furniture in their homes. Any damage to bus seats,
windows, equipment, etc., will be charged to responsible student.
10. STUDENTS MUST
HAVE A BUS PERMIT TO RIDE ANY BUS OTHER THAN THEIR ASSIGNED BUS.
Parents must send written notice in advance to school principal with
appropriate information for child to ride a different bus. Principal or
their designee will approve and issue a Bus Permit. STUDENT WILL GIVE
BUS PERMIT TO BUS DRIVER WHEN THEY BOARD THE BUS.
11. Students will not ask the driver to
let them off at such places as a store, job, etc. All extra stops
must be approved in writing by the school principal or designee or
Transportation Department in advance.
12. Students are asked to use the hand
rail when getting on and off the school bus.
13. If students must cross the street or
road to board the bus, they must wait for the driver’s signal. They
must cross well in front of the bus.
14. Students are expected to do the
following:
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Be at the bus
stop 5 minutes before scheduled pickup time.
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Never run to
catch the bus.
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While waiting
for the bus, stay clear of the roadway.
Failure
to follow these rules and regulations may result in suspension from
transportation. Parents must assume responsibility for the behavior of
their children while their children are riding the bus. If permission
to ride the bus is revoked, the parent must provide transportation to
and from school for the student until such time as reinstatement is
made.
Failure to follow the Rules & Regulations
may result in the following disciplinary action:
1st Offense – Driver completes
Student Bus Behavior Referral Form & submits to Principal
2nd Offense –
Principal notifies Parent
3rd Offense – Suspension from
school bus
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