5131.1

Students

Bus Conduct

School transportation is a student privilege conditional upon satisfactory behavior on buses and at bus stops.

Students will be advised that, while awaiting or receiving transportation to and from school, they may be suspended from transportation services for unsatisfactory conduct which endangers persons or property or violates a Board policy or administrative regulation.  Principals shall follow procedures in Policy 5114 Suspension/Expulsion/Exclusion/Removal when suspending student bus privileges.

(cf. 5114  Suspension/Expulsion/Exclusion/Removal)

(cf. 5131.5  Vandalism)

Legal Reference:   Connecticut General Statutes

10-186 Duties of local and regional Boards of education re school attendance.

10-220 Duties of boards of education.

10-221 boards of education to prescribe rules.

10-233c Suspension of students.

Policy adopted:

5131.1

Students

Bus Conduct

The following list of rules are to be observed by all students riding school buses and are to be strictly enforced by all bus drivers:

1.  The driver is in complete charge of the bus and the children being transported. The driver may make changes in seating, arrange for discipline as it is required, and may take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of his/her bus and its passengers.

2.  Students must remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion.  Students may leave their seats only when the bus is stopped and directed by the driver or stopped at their destination.

3.  No student shall leave the bus without permission from the driver or school authorities except at the student's regular bus stop or at the school.

4.  Conduct on the buses will be like classroom conduct except that reasonable conversation is permissible.  Inappropriate behavior of any form or manner is not permissible.

5.  Drivers will report any misconduct on their bus and any disciplinary action they may take to the Principal of the school.

6.  Students who refuse to comply with regulations will be advised that they may be suspended from transportation services under the conditions set forth in the Suspension/Expulsion policy and regulation at 5114/5114.1 of this manual.

7.  Students who damage or deface bus or equipment on the bus will be held liable for such damage.

8.  Conversation with the driver while the bus is in motion is not permitted except to call the driver's attention to any inappropriate behavior or conduct that might jeopardize the safety of one of its riders.

9.  Students must not, at any time, extend their arms or heads out of a bus window.

10.  The use of tobacco, drugs or any controlled substance in any form on a school bus is prohibited by state law.

11.  No indecent or profane language will be permitted, and there will be no loud or disturbing talking.

12.  Bus windows shall not be opened without the driver's permission.

13.  Upon entering or leaving a school bus, students will avoid crowding or disturbing others. Students boarding a bus at a point where others debark from it will always stand back away from the door and let those who are getting off out before they attempt to Board the bus.

14.  Students must not throw any articles away in or about the bus.

15.  The bus must be kept clean, and students must cooperate in this by not leaving waste paper or trash of any kind that will clutter up the bus.

Legal Reference:   Connecticut General Statutes

10-220 Duties of Boards of Education

10-221  Boards of education to prescribe rules

10-233c  Suspension of students

Regulation approved: