Safety and Behavior Rules for School Buses

V. Students                                                                                                   (formerly #5144)

A. Administrative Policies

8. Safety and Behavior Rules for School Buses

The Narragansett School System's Department of Transportation drivers are in charge of the bus and all passengers. The bus driver is responsible for the safety of pupils and for their conduct on the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege that can be denied temporarily or permanently, if the pupil's behavior warrants it. A student's time at the bus stop and on the bus shall be considered an extension of the school day. The operator reports to the Principal violations of rules, and a pupil may become ineligible for transportation if his behavior creates a problem on the school bus.

The Administration shall develop and periodically review appropriate rules and regulations to ensure the safety of all students riding school buses.

It is necessary for pupils to observe the following rules:

1. Only eligible students are allowed to ride the bus. Eligibility is determined by grade and distance from the school.

2. It is a violation for a pupil to ride a bus other than the one to which he/she is assigned, and to meet or leave the bus at a stop other than his/her assigned stop, unless approved by the building principal in accordance with Transportation policy (Policy #V.A.4).

3. When the school bus does not arrive at the bus stop on time because of mechanical failure, road, or weather conditions, the pupil is expected to wait for the bus a "reasonable" length of time, dependent on weather conditions.

4. Be at the stopping places at the time designated and ready to get into the bus with the least possible delay in order to keep the bus on schedule.

5. Do not stand or play in the roadway while waiting for the bus.

6. Remain in line at least five feet from the bus when it stops to pick up and move toward the bus only when the door opens.

7. Do not bring animals, pets, reptiles, firearms, or explosives on the bus.

8. Obey the bus operator at all times while under his supervision.

9. Maintain an acceptable manner of conduct at all times (smoking, vulgarity, and boisterous and other improper conduct will not be permitted). Conduct on the bus is that which is acceptable while in school. The bus driver is in charge of the bus and responsible for each students safety. Students must obey the driver promptly and cooperatively in order to insure the safety of all riders.

10. Take assigned seat promptly on entering the bus and remain seated until arrival at destination. No one is permitted to save seats and students must sit only in his/her assigned seat. The driver will assign seats soon after the school year begins, after students have had an opportunity to note seating preference. The driver may reassign seats as necessary.

11. Remain seated while the bus is in motion.

12. Do not extend arms or head out of the bus windows at any time.

13. Keep the aisles clear of lunch boxes, musical instruments, books, etc. : Articles that could cause injury to other students, such as sticks, breakable containers, firearms, skateboards, etc., are not permitted on buses. Other items not allowed are golf clubs/bags, oversized sports duffel bags, and large instruments such as trombones, saxophones, or any other instrument which cannot be held on the students' lap or between their feet on the floor.

14. Assist the driver in keeping the bus clean by not eating or drinking on the bus.

15. Do not damage or deface any part of the bus.

16. Remain absolutely quiet when approaching a railroad crossing.

17. Do not play a radio on the school bus.

18. Do not tamper with the operating mechanism on the emergency doors.

19. Do not operate the service door; this is the responsibility of the bus operator.

20. In crossing the highway after alighting from the bus, cross only after the driver signals that it is safe to cross. Pass ten feet in front of the bus and look for the traffic in both directions before crossing the highway.

21. Safety rules:

A. Use the crosswalk areas.

B. When walking along the highway, walk on the left facing on-coming traffic.

C. Remain seated if the bus is delayed on the road.

D. Use emergency door only in case of an emergency.

E. Be of assistance to smaller children.

F. Go home promptly after leaving the school bus.

G. A pupil will not be allowed to leave the bus at any place other than his regular stop without the written consent of the Principal.

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

  1. Disciplinary Actions: The following Offenses shall generate the disciplinary actions indicated:

Class I

1. Getting on/off at a stop other than the student's assigned stop (without prior approval)

2. Riding an unassigned bus without prior approval

3. Bringing animals and/or pets on the bus

4. Chewing gum, eating (including candy) or drinking on the bus

5. Distributing gum, candy, etc. to other students on the bus

6. Littering

7. Verbal harassment (not including sexual)

8. Not sitting in assigned seat

9. Not sitting in seat properly

10. Destruction of property belonging to another person

11. Volume on headphones distracting to driver

12. Bringing prohibited items on the bus.

Discipline

First offense - warning

Second offense - warning and conference with parent. If parent does not respond within 3 school days, the student will serve detention.

Third and subsequent offenses - detention

NOTE: At the elementary level, detention will be replaced by lunch or recess detention.

CLASS II

1. Crossing behind the bus or refusing to wait for the driver's instruction to cross

2. Failure to follow directions from a driver or monitor

3. Obstructing safe passage down the aisle

4. Refusing to identify oneself to the driver when asked

5. Extending head, hands or feet out of bus window

6. Shooting elastic bands or throwing any object inside the bus or out the window

7. Spraying perfumes, deodorants, etc. on the bus

8. Wrestling and/or horseplay

9. Creating disruptive noise levels

10. Making racial slurs

11. Harassing other students

12. Acting disrespectful to the driver, aide, or monitor

13. Moving out of assigned seat while the bus is in motion which includes climbing over or under bus seats at any time during the route

14. Spitting

15. Stealing

16. Using obscenity (language, gestures)

17. Vandalism to the bus

18. Hitting, pushing, tripping, biting, pinching, or pulling hair of another student

19. Verbal or non-verbal threat to do bodily harm

20. Students obtaining late bus passes after leaving campus or presenting forged/stolen passes

21. Overt display of affection (kissing, fondling, etc.)

Discipline

First offense - detention

Second offense - 2 day suspension from school bus transportation

Third and subsequent offenses - 5 day suspension from school bus transportation; referral to the superintendent.

NOTE: At the elementary level, detention will be replaced by lunch or recess detention.

CLASS III

1. Fighting on the school bus (If the fighting occurs while a bus is on school grounds, school staff will be called and the student will be subject to the school behavior code.)

2. Possession of tobacco products, matches or lighters

3. Verbal assault directed at the school bus driver, aide, or monitor

4. Sexual harassment (definition and considerations are as listed in Narragansett's Harassment Policy)

5. Behavior that jeopardizes the safe operation of the bus

6. Boarding a bus during suspension from bus-riding privileges

Discipline

Five (5) day suspension from school bus transportation; referral to the superintendent.

CLASS IV

1. Opening or exiting through any emergency exit of the school bus (i.e., rear door, side door, emergency windows)

2. Substance abuse on the school bus (possession or use of alcohol/drugs)*

3. Physical assault of another student on the school bus

4. A second Class III infraction in the same school year

Discipline

Ten (10) day suspension from school bus transportation; referral to the superintendent.

CLASS V

1. Possession or use of a weapon on the school bus*

2. Physical assault on the school bus driver or monitor

3. A second Class IV infraction in the same school year

Discipline

Ten (10) day suspension from school bus transportation, referral to superintendent for additional discipline, followed by a recommendation from the superintendent to the school committee for discipline which may include exclusion from school bus transportation for the balance of the year, as well as in-school disciplinary measures which may also included recommendation for indefinite suspension from school.

General Information

All infractions of Classes III-V will be reported by the Transportation Supervisor to the Superintendent of schools and Classes IV and V will be reported to the appropriate police department.

Note: If the violation is serious enough or in violation of school rules, bus suspensions could occur on the 1st or 2nd misconduct referral.



Adopted: February, 1968

Revised: September 19, 1990

Revised:

1st Reading: June 21, 2006                                       Narragansett School System

Approved: July 19, 2006                                            Narragansett, Rhode Island