SHREWSBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUS POLICY BUS POLICY

This handbook provides an excerpt on the major policy and procedure items regarding school bus transportation. The full School Committee Transportation Policy and district rules and regulations pertaining to all facets of the transportation program including fees can be found on the District website at the following link: http://schools.shrewsburyma.gov/transportation/

All students in 7th and 8th grades must pay a bus fee to ride the bus each day; however, riding the bus is a privilege that can be taken away for inappropriate behavior, with no refund. Students are responsible for being safe and respectful during bus trips.

The following is the Shrewsbury Public Schools policy for bus conduct for 7th and 8th grades:

LEVEL ONE
Misbehaviors Misbehaviors that interfere with the orderly transportation of students. Some examples are: Talking too loudly Failure to stay seated Littering on the bus Tampering with the possessions of other passengers	Consequences The bus driver may address the misbehavior: Verbal warning issued to student Assigned seat
LEVEL TWO
Misbehaviors More severe misbehaviors that interfere with the orderly transportation of students. Some examples are: Annoying and/or bullying other passengers Tampering with the possessions of other passengers-repeat offense Use of profanity Damage to the bus	Consequences The bus driver completes a discipline report for misbehaviors on the bus. The principal or designee administers consequences. This action may include any or all of the following: Conference with principal or designee Contact with parents Assigned seats Loss of bus privileges for up to five days Suspension from school for up to five days
LEVEL THREE
Misbehaviors Behavior that endangers the safety of the driver or students and that impairs the driver’s ability to drive safely. Some examples include: Repeated occurrences of Level 1 or 2 behaviors Refusal to remain in seat Throwing objects, spitting, or spit balls Distracting the driver Fighting, including pushing and/or wrestling Lighting matches/lighter Possession of knives or other dangerous objects Possession or use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs or controlled substances	Consequences The bus driver completes a discipline report for 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 any or all of the following: Loss of bus privileges for up to six to ten days Suspension from school for up to six to ten days Repeated incidents of Level 2 behavior may result in a child being permanently suspended from bus privileges Illegal activity will be referred to the Shrewsbury Police Department.

Students may only ride the bus on which they are assigned. No “guest riders” will be allowed without specific permission granted in advance by the school department (no same day permission will be granted). Bus drivers may not grant permission for “guests”.

Bus Procedures for Riders

Respect the driver and bus property
Enter the bus quietly and in an orderly fashion
Choose a seat quickly and remain seated throughout the bus ride
Refrain from eating and drinking on the bus
Use quiet voices
Keep hands, feet and all belongings to themselves
Use acceptable language

Bus Discipline Procedures
The following code 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.

Procedures for reporting passenger misconduct

The bus driver will report misconduct occurring on the school bus to the appropriate personnel.
A School Bus Conduct Report will be completed and submitted to the bus company operations manger. The report will be forwarded to the appropriate school principal/assistant principal for action.
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 would report the misconduct to her or his teacher.

Oak Middle School