Administrative Procedure 351

STUDENT CONDUCT ON SCHOOL BUSES

Background

The student’s primary responsibility is to conduct him or herself in a manner that will not cause the bus driver to divert his or her attention from driving the bus.

Procedures

1. Violation of any of the following may lead to the loss of riding privileges.
2. Students are expected to be at the designated stop prior to the arrival of the bus.
3. Students who reside on the opposite side of the road from the designated stop are to cross in front of the bus and at least 15 feet ahead of the bus where alternating flashing lights are required.
4. Bus passes must be produced upon request or ridership may be denied.
5. The bus operator shall assign specific seats to students.
6. Students must not distract the bus driver.
7. Students must conduct themselves in a quiet and courteous manner, showing consideration to the bus driver and others while boarding, riding or departing from the bus.
8. The bus operator shall report serious student misconduct to the Principal. A student who continues to misbehave shall be denied the privilege of riding the school bus.
9. Students must remain seated, in their seats, during the entire trip.
10. While the bus is in motion, students must not extend any part of their bodies out of windows, try to get on or off the bus, or move around within the bus.
11. Students must not consume food or beverages on the bus.
12. Students must not throw paper or other waste materials on the floor or out bus windows.
13. Students causing wilful damage to the bus shall be held responsible for all costs.
14. Bus operators may appoint a monitor to assist in safety practices.
15. Buses are equipped with video surveillance that may be accessed in situations warranting discipline by school officials.
16. Rural students or their parents/guardians are to inform the driver when they do not require busing for the morning or afternoon.
17. Bus operators are not permitted to transport individuals not registered on the bus. Drivers are not permitted to add stops to the routes to accommodate the students' personal activities such as piano lessons, sports activities, etc.
18. Parents/guardians are responsible to:
    1. instruct their children to obey all school bus rules;
    2. ensure their children are at the bus stop on time and follow appropriate loading procedures;
    3. accept responsibility for the conduct of their children prior to boarding the bus, during the daily trips and upon leaving the bus;
    4. provide the necessary supervision for their children when they are going to and from the bus stop;
    5. make certain their children are appropriately dressed for the weather;
    6. ensure their children are aware of the alternate arrangements to follow in the event of emergent conditions (such as, inclement weather, school closure, evacuation, bus breakdown); and
    7. provide written, dated and signed authorization to the bus operator if children are to be dropped off at a bus stop different from their regular designated stop.
19. Student Discipline
    1. The bus operator may report a student to the parent/guardians and/or the Principal for violation of rules of conduct.
    2. The Principal may suspend any student, under the provisions of the Education Act, from riding on any bus and report the circumstances, in writing, to the parent/guardian, the bus operator, and the Superintendent or designate.
    3. The Principal may reinstate a student suspended from riding the bus.
    4. When a student is not to be reinstated on the bus within five school days of the date of his or her suspension, the Principal shall immediately report, in writing, all the circumstances of the suspension to the Superintendent or designate, together with the Principal's recommendations.
    5. The Board may reinstate the student or expel the student from riding the bus.
    6. For causing wilful damage to a school bus, a student shall be held fully accountable for the cost of repairs to the bus, at the discretion of the Superintendent or designate.
    7. The Division supports bus operators in maintaining student conduct.

References

Section 11, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 52, 53, 59, 197, 222, 257 Education Act
Traffic Safety Act
School Transportation Regulation AR 96/2019

Last Updated: June 2021