The Principal must ensure that all students, parents, teachers and bus drivers are aware of this policy regarding the Code of Conduct of passengers, which applies to all bus passengers at all times. 

In instances where a student’s behaviour is not appropriate, the Principal may, but shall not be limited to applying the following consequences.

1. Minor Offences 

After being warned verbally ONCE by the driver, a repeat of any of the following actions shall be deemed to be Minor Offences:

• eating/drinking on the bus

• standing while bus is in motion

• shouting

• talking back to the driver

• not sitting properly

• obstructing the aisle

• swearing and/or offensive or obscene language

• refusing to take an assigned seat

• sitting in a seat other than that assigned by the bus driver

• littering

• horseplay

• pushing/shoving

• hitting others

• tripping others

• throwing objects

Report #1

• Principal calls an interview with the student.

• Student is counseled and warned of future consequences.

• Student reviews rules and regulations.

• Principal notifies parents/guardians verbally or in writing and they, along with the student, prepare a written plan of action to avoid Report #2 being received by that student.

BOARD APPROVED:

___________________,________

NEW POLICY _______

REPLACES POLICY _________

LEGAL REFERENCE __________

Report #2

• Principal calls an interview session with parents and student.

• Student advised of 1 to 3 day suspension from riding the bus.

• Student warned of future consequences.

• Student reviews rules and regulations.

• Principal confirms the disciplinary actions in writing with parents/guardians and they, along with the student prepare a written plan of action to avoid Report #3 being received by that student.

Report #3

• Principal calls an interview session with parents and student.

• Student advised of 5 to 10 day suspension from riding the bus.

• Student warned of future consequences.

• Student reviews rules and regulations.

• Principal confirms the disciplinary actions in writing with parents/guardians and they, along with the student prepare a written plan of action to avoid Report #4 being received by that student.

Report #4

• Principal calls an interview session with parents, transportation supervisor, and student.

• Student advised of one-month suspension from riding the bus.

• Student advised of future consequences.

• Student reviews rules and regulations.

• Principal confirms the disciplinary actions in writing with parents/guardians and they, along with the student prepare a written plan of action to avoid Report #5 being received by that student.

Report #5

• Principal calls an interview session with parents, transportation supervisor, and student.

• Student advised of a minimum of three months suspension from riding the bus or the balance of the school year, which ever comes first.

• Principal confirms the disciplinary actions in writing with parents/guardians and they, along with the student, prepare a written plan of action to ensure appropriate behaviour upon return. This is to be submitted to the Principal and the transportation supervisor.

BOARD APPROVED:

___________________,________

NEW POLICY _______

REPLACES POLICY _________

LEGAL REFERENCE ________

1. Major Offences

In keeping with the normal rules of the school, the following actions shall be deeemed Major Offences:

• Fighting

• Intimidation/threats

• Smoking

• Profane/abusive/offensive language

• Sexual harassment

• Vaulting over seats

• Destruction of property/vandalism

• Possession or use of weapons

• Possession or use of drugs

• Possession or use of alcohol

• Any other actions which, deemed by the driver, reduces the ability to operate the bus safely.

The above examples (minor and major) are not limiting clauses; nor are they intended to be an exhaustive list.

Depending upon the severity of an offence, an immediate suspension may occur while the case is under investigation. The length of the suspension will vary and be set according to the results and recommendations of the investigation.

Report #1

• Principal calls an interview session with student and parents.

• Student advised of three to ten day suspension from riding the bus.

• Student warned of future consequences.

• Student reviews rules and regulations.

• Principal confirms the disciplinary actions in writing with parents/guardians.

BOARD APPROVED:

___________________,________

NEW POLICY _______

REPLACES POLICY _________

LEGAL REFERENCE ________ 

Report #2

• Principal calls an interview session with student, transportation supervisor, and parents/guardians.

• Student advised of suspension from riding the bus ranging from ten days to one month.

• Student warned of future consequences.

• Student and parents prepare a plan of action to ensure appropriate behaviour upon return and submits it to the Principal and transportation supervisor.

• Principal confirms the disciplinary actions in writing with parents/guardians.

Report #3

• Principal calls an interview session with student, transportation supervisor and parents/guardians.

• Student advised of suspension from riding the bus for balance of the school year or six months, which ever comes first.

• Student and parents prepare a plan of action to ensure appropriate behaviour upon return and submit it to Principal and the transportation supervisor.

• Principal confirms the disciplinary actions in writing with parents/guardians.

Other

• For incidents of littering (sunflower seeds etc.) the student will be responsible for cleaning the bus.

• For incidents of property damage (cutting seats, vandalism etc.) the student will be responsible for total restitution costs within a specific time frame.

2. In addition to the above consequences, the bus driver, the Principal, or the transportation supervisor may reassign seats or transfer a student to another bus.

3. School bus drivers, Principals and the transportation supervisor must adhere to the process and guidelines established by Board of Education policy and must ensure that each case is processed without delay.

4. Parents must receive verbal or written notification of the submission of an Unsatisfactory Bus Conduct Report. Principals must document whether contact with parents was verbal or written. When parents are contacted in writing, a copy of the letter must be attached to the Unsatisfactory Bus Conduct Report in the student’s file in both the school and the transportation supervisor’s office.

BOARD APPROVED:

___________________,________

NEW POLICY _______

REPLACES POLICY _________

LEGAL REFERENCE __________ 

5. For consequences other than a warning to a student, written confirmation to parents must follow.

6. Student suspensions will be reported to the School Board by the Principal.

7. Combined minor and major offences will be considered when determining the duration of suspensions.

8. Upon receiving notification that buses will not be running due to inclement weather or unsafe road conditions, the Principal will notify radio station CFAR to broadcast the notice as a public service announcement. Prior to students being sent home early on the bus for the above reasons, the parents of bus students will be phoned to ensure that someone will be home when the student arrives. Only those students who have access to their home or an alternate dwelling will be allowed to board the bus.

9. Merit System

10. Each student’s record of Unsatisfactory Bus Conduct remains active for the following school year. Students will, however, be given the opportunity to clear their records as follows:

• Every full month of satisfactory bus conduct will clear one minor offence from their record.

• Four months of satisfactory bus conduct will be required to clear a student’s first major offence. Every subsequent month of satisfactory bus conduct will clear a student’s next major offence(s).

BOARD APPROVED:

___________________,________

NEW POLICY _______

REPLACES POLICY _________

LEGAL REFERENCE __________