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Student Conduct on Busses

Administrative Regulations

Any misconduct by a student, which in the opinion of the bus driver or transportation management is detrimental to the safe operation of the bus or the safety of other students on the bus, shall be sufficient cause to suspend transportation privileges. The following are basic expectations of acceptable bus behavior:

  1. Follow bus driver's directions the first time they are given.
  2. Respect yourself and others' space and property.
  3. Talk in a quiet voice.
  4. Keep your hands and feet to yourself and stay seated at all times the bus is moving.
  5. Make safe choices for yourself and safety of others.

Student passengers are expected to conduct themselves in the following manner when loading, unloading, and riding a school bus.

Prior to Loading and After Unloading

  • Students are to be at their designated bus stop five (5) minutes before pick-up time.
  • At the bus stop, while waiting for the bus, students are to stay off the traveled portion of the roadway and respect private property.
  • Students are to cross the street in front of the bus and not behind it and only when the driver signals it is safe to do so..
  • Students going to and from their bus stops where there are no sidewalks shall walk on the left-hand side of the roadway facing oncoming traffic or as often found in non-sidewalk areas on the best side of the road.
  • Students shall get on/off the bus in an orderly manner and shall obey the instructions of the driver or school safety patrolman on duty. There shall be no pushing or shoving when boarding or leaving the bus.
  • Once off the bus, students shall adhere to rules for pedestrians.

While on the Bus

  • Upon entering the bus, students are to go directly to their seats, sit down facing forward, with their feet out of the aisle, and remain seated.
  • Students shall not be permitted to sit in the driver's seat or to the immediate right or left of the driver. Students are under the supervision of the bus driver and must obey the driver at all times. In so doing, they shall conduct themselves in a manner that will not distract the driver and not disturb other riders on the bus.
  • Each student may be assigned a seat by the bus driver in which he/she will be seated at all times unless permission to change has been given by the driver.
  • Students are to ride only their regularly assigned bus and leave the bus at their regular stop. To ride another bus or get off at a different stop requires written permission in the form of an official bus pass issued from the student's home school office.
  • In the interest of the physical safety of the students involved and cleanliness of the bus, students shall not eat or drink on the bus, except for driver and advisor discretion while on field trips and sports activities.
  • Students should open bus windows only if the driver gives permission. Hands, heads, legs, etc., are to be kept inside the bus at all times. No objects are to be thrown or passed through open windows or doors.
  • Student conduct on buses shall be the same as standards for student conduct in the classroom and other school sponsored activities.
  • Any student sitting in a seat that is equipped with lap belts must use them.
  • Students shall not tamper with emergency doors or equipment and shall follow the emergency exit drill procedure as prescribed by the driver (WAC 393-040 and 045).
  • Students identified as causing damage to buses shall be charged with the cost of the incurred damage. Students causing damage may be suspended from transportation privileges.
  • Student misconduct shall constitute sufficient reason for suspending transportation privileges.

Items not allowed on the bus include:

  • All forms of animal life (except seeing eye dogs),
  • Firearms, weapons (including, but not limited to knives), (RCW 9.41.250-9.41.280),
  • Breakable containers (glass bottles, aquariums, etc.),
  • Flammables (including, but not limited to matches, lighters, tobacco of any sort)
  • Any article which could adversely affect the safety of the bus and passengers.
  • Personal items, allowed on the bus shall be limited to only those items that can be contained in the student's personal seating space.
  • Large musical instruments that cannot be held on the student's lap or between the student's legs, i.e. trombone.


Disciplinary Procedures

The Bus Driver and Transportation Management will follow a progressive discipline procedure for dealing with students who do not follow bus-rider rules. If the violation is of such a serious nature that it would cause danger or unlawful action toward the driver or students; the violation may result in immediate loss of bus riding privileges, plus notification of parent/guardian, and building principal, and if necessary the appropriate legal agency.

Open lines of communication will be maintained and encouraged among students, bus drivers, transportation supervision, school officials, and parent/guardian.

Progressive Discipline

Middle and Senior High School:

  1. Driver will talk and work with student, possibly assigning a seat or separating from a problem area or other student(s).
  2. Driver will call parents and explain the unacceptable behavior that is occurring and how the driver has worked with student in an attempt to correct the unacceptable behavior. The driver will ask for assistance and suggestions from the parent. At this time parents should also be told the behavior must improve or bus privileges may be lost.
  3. 1st Referral: Driver will write Referral, call parent notifying the parent of problem and telling them the Referral will be brought home by their child. The driver will also tell the parent when their child will have bus privileges suspended and will notify parent by mail of the dates. The signed Referral will be returned to the driver. Transportation processes referral and sends letter home to parents indicating the student is off the bus for up to two school days. The letter includes dates of bus suspension and a phone number of the transportation office should there be any questions or possible adjustments to dates of the bus suspension. A copy of all referrals and letters will be sent to the appropriate school.
  4. 2nd Referral: Same procedure as 1st Referral including a required phone call by the driver and bus privileges will be lost for up to 5 school days.
  5. 3rd Referral: Same procedure as 1st and 2nd Referrals except bus privileges will be lost for up to 10 school days and a warning will be given in a letter notifying parents that continued violations may result in a longer or permanent suspension of bus privileges.

Serious offenses, not limited to fighting, flagrant displays of disrespect toward a driver, or possession of drugs or alcohol will result in immediate loss of bus privileges for a minimum of five (5) school days. Assault on a bus driver will result in indefinite suspension of bus riding privileges and possible criminal charges. These and all other displays of exceptional misconduct are covered in District Policy 3300.1.2, Exceptional Misconduct

Dangerous conduct that threatens the safety of the driver and students will result in immediate suspension. Notification will be by phone, or appropriate police authorities.

Elementary School:

  1. Driver will talk and work with student, possibly assigning a seat or separating them from a problem area or other student(s).
  2. Driver will call parents and explain the unacceptable behavior that is occurring on the bus and how the driver has worked with the student in an attempt to correct the unacceptable behavior. The driver will ask for assistance and suggestions from the parent. At this time parents should also be told that the behavior must improve or bus privileges may be lost in the future should the child receive a 3rd Referral.
  3. 1st Referral: Driver will write Referral, call parent notifying the parent of problem and telling them the referral will be brought home by their child. Student takes the Referral home and returns it, signed by parent, to the bus driver. Should the Referral not be returned, the driver shall call the parent and advise his/her supervisor and the student's principal.
  4. 2nd Referral: Follow same procedure as 1st Referral.
  5. 3rd Referral: Follow same procedure as 1st and 2nd Referrals except the 3rd Referral will generate a letter home to parents denying bus privileges for 3 days. The driver will call parent telling them of 3rd Referral and bus suspension letter notifying them of bus suspension. The letter will include dates of bus suspension and the phone number of transportation office should there be any questions or possible adjustments to dates of the bus suspension.

Serious offenses, not limited to fighting, flagrant displays of disrespect toward a driver, or possession of drugs or alcohol will result in immediate loss of bus privileges for a minimum of five (5) school days. Assault on a bus driver will result in indefinite suspension of bus riding privileges and possible criminal charges. These and all other displays of exceptional misconduct are covered in District Policy 3300.1.2, Exceptional Misconduct.

Dangerous conduct that threatens the safety of the driver and students will result in immediate suspension. Notification will be by phone, or appropriate police authorities.