SCHOOL BUS POLICY

1. Policy - School Bus Rules and Regulations

1.1 The driver is in full charge of the bus and pupils. Pupils must obey the driver promptly and willingly.

1.2 Pupils shall ride their regularly assigned bus at all times, unless permission has been granted by the school authorities. School authorities should verify with the drivers the availability of extra seating space and should not issue bus passes for non-regular riders if it will cause standees on the bus.

1.3 Unless by written permission of school authorities, no pupil shall be permitted to leave the bus except at his or her regular bus stop.

1.4 Each pupil may be assigned a seat in which he/she will be seated at all times, unless permission to change is given by the school principal and/or driver.

1.5 Outside of ordinary conversation, classroom conduct must be observed. Pupils are expected to maintain appropriate and respectful behavior toward the driver, monitor, and peers. No abusive, vulgar, or threatening language (verbal or written) or gestures will be tolerated.

1.6 Pupils are to assist in keeping the bus clean by keeping their wastepaper off the floor. Pupils must also refrain from throwing refuse out the windows. To help keep the bus clean, no food or drink is to be consumed on the bus.

1.7 No person shall smoke or light matches on any school bus. Students who violate this law will be reported to the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

1.8 No pupil shall at any time extend his or her head, hands, or arms out of the windows, whether school bus is in motion or standing still.

1.9 No pupil shall open a window on the school bus without first getting permission from the school bus driver.

1.10 Pupils must see that they have nothing in their possession that may cause injury to another such as sticks, breakable containers, any type of firearms, straps, or pins extending from their clothing. Also, no animal is permitted on the bus except for muzzled "seeing eye" dogs.

1.11 Each pupil must see that his/her books and personal belongings are kept out of the aisle. Special permission must be granted by school authorities to transport any large items.

1.12 No pupil will be allowed to talk to the bus driver more than is necessary.

1.13 No pupil shall sit in the driver's seat, nor shall any pupil be located to the immediate left or right of the driver. At no time shall more than two (2) students occupy the first seat on the right side of the bus.

1.14 Pupils are to remain seated while the bus is in motion, and they are not to move on the bus until it has come to a full stop.

1.15 Pupils must leave the bus in an orderly manner and must obey the orders of the school bus driver/monitor. They must not cross the street until given consent by the school bus driver. When boarding or leaving the bus, pupils should be in view of the driver at all times.

1.16 Pupils must cross the street at least 1O feet in front of the school bus and never behind it.

1.17 Pupils must not stand or play in the roadway while waiting for the bus. Pupils should leave home early enough to arrive at the bus stop before the bus is due.

1.18 Self-discipline will be exercised by pupils at the bus loading area. Students will refrain from pushing and shoving other students.

1.19 Pupils who have to walk some distance along the street to the bus loading zone, where practicable, must walk on the left-hand side facing the oncoming traffic. This will also apply to pupils leaving the bus loading zone in the evening.

1.20 Students' misconduct on a bus will be sufficient reason to discontinue providing bus transportation to those students involved.

1.21 In the event of an actual emergency, emergency exit procedures, as established by the emergency exit drills, will be followed.

1.22 Parents and legal guardians of students causing damage to school buses will be held responsible for proper reimbursement to the bus contractor. Parents will be afforded the opportunity to make restitution within ten (1O) school days after which a complaint will be filed in accordance with the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island.

1.23 Pupils are not to run errands between the bus stop and their home.

1.24 No student shall throw anything at, on, or in a school bus or in any way interfere with the safe operation thereof.

2. Discipline

2.1 School bus transportation is a privilege, not a right, and is an extension of the school system. Students' misconduct at a bus stop or on a bus will be sufficient reason to discontinue providing bus transportation to those students involved and may result in other discipline pursuant to the student behavior code, student handbook, or other rules and regulations of the Portsmouth School Department.

2.2 The driver shall report to the bus company manager any violations of the student bus code, stating student's name, school attended, date and nature of the violation.

2.3 The bus company manager shall in turn report the violation to the particular building principal.

2.4 The building principal and bus company manager shall jointly investigate the violation and if substantiated, the student shall, for a first offense, be given a verbal warning. Also, a letter from the building principal shall be mailed to the student's parents or legal guardian advising them of the violation and warning that a second violation of any nature shall be Just cause for suspension of the student's riding privileges in accordance with the General Laws of Rhode Island (31-22-10) for the Transportation of School Children as issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Depending on the nature of the severity of certain behaviors, a student may receive a suspension of their bus riding privileges rather than a warning or such discipline as is consistent with the student behavior code, student handbook, or other rules and regulations of the Portsmouth School Department.

2.5 Suspension Policy of Riding Privileges - Suspension will be waived if parents ride bus with student (duration listed in parenthesis). No exceptions will be made for the 4th violation.

2nd violation - elementary students 3 school days (1)

Middle school students 5 school days (2)

High school students 10 school days (3)

3rd violation - elementary students 1O school days

Middle school students 20 school days (6)

High school students 25 school days (8)

4th violation - all schools - suspension for remainder of school year ending in June.

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