SHREWSBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BUS DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES AND CONSEQUENCES

 

 

 Dr. Anthony Bent's Letter- Focusing on School Bus Safety

 

 

The code below classifies unacceptable behavior into three levels. The examples are not exhaustive but illustrative. Additionally, all consequences are dependent upon the severity and frequency of the misbehavior.

 

LEVEL 1

Misbehaviors

Misbehaviors that interfere with the orderly transportation of students. Some examples are:

 

á        Talking too loudly

á        Failure to stay seated

á        Littering on the bus

á       Tampering with the possessions of other passengers

 

Consequences

The bus driver may address the misbehavior:

 

 

á       Verbal warning issued to student

á       Assign seats

 

 

LEVEL 2

Misbehaviors

More severe misbehaviors that interfere with the orderly transportation of students. Some examples are:

 

á        Annoying and/or bullying other passengers

á        Littering the bus Ð repeat offense

á       Tampering with the possessions of other passengers Ð repeat offense

á        Use of profanity

á        Damage to the bus

Consequences

The bus driver reports misbehaviors on the bus. The principal or designee administers consequences. This action may include any or all of the following:

 

á       Conference with principal or designee

á       Contact with parents

á       Assigned seats

á       Loss of bus privileges for up to five days

á       Suspension from school for up to five days

 

LEVEL 3

Misbehaviors

Behavior that endangers the safety of the driver or students and which impairs the driverÕs ability to drive safely. Some examples include:

 

á       Repeated occurrences of Level 1 or 2 behaviors

á       Refusal to remain in seats

á       Throwing objects, spitting, or spit balls

á       Distracting the driver

á       Refusal to obey driver

á       Fighting, including pushing and/or wrestling

á       Lighting matches/lighters

á       Possession of knives or other dangerous objects

á       Possession or use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances

Consequences

The bus driver reports misbehaviors on the bus. The principal or designee administers consequences. At more severe levels, the superintendent or designee may be involved.

This action may include the following:

 

á       Loss of bus privileges for six to ten days

á       Suspension from school for six to ten days

á       Repeated incidents of Level 2 behavior may result in a child being permanently suspended from bus privileges.

á       Illegal activity will be referred to the Shrewsbury Police Department.

 

Procedures for reporting passenger misconduct

 

  1. The bus driver will report misconduct occurring on the school bus to the appropriate personnel.
  2. A School Bus Conduct Report will be completed and submitted to the bus company operations manager, who will then forward it to the appropriate school principal for action.
  3. The principal or designee and the bus company will retain copies of the signed report. In some cases, students may report passenger misconduct. If so, the student should report the misconduct to her or his teacher.

 

 

Revised 11/2002