Bus Discipline Codes

Procedures on School Buses and Consequences for Misbehavior

Riding the school bus is a privilege, not a right. Students are expected to follow the same behavior standards while riding school buses as are expected on school property or at school activities, functions or events. All school rules are in effect while a student is riding the bus or at the bus stop.

Bus drivers will report all school bus/bus stop misconduct to the district’s Transportation Safety Director, who will then report the misconduct to the student’s principal/dean of students. Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct will be imposed by the building principal or the principal’s designee. Serious misconduct will be reported to the Department of Public Safety and may be reported to local law enforcement.

A. School Bus and Bus Stop Rules

The school district school bus safety rules are to be posted on every bus. If these rules are broken, the school district’s discipline procedures are to be followed. Consequences are progressive and may include suspension of bus privileges. It is the school bus driver’s responsibility to report unacceptable behavior to the district’s Transportation Office. The Transportation Director will notify the principals, who will impose consequences for misconduct. Serious misconduct will be reported to the Department of Public Safety and may be reported to local law enforcement.

B. Rules for Waiting at the Bus Stop

  1. Be on time.
  2. Respect others and their property.
  3. Stay away from the street, road or highway.
  4. Keep safety in mind…no shoving, running or pushing.

C. Procedure for Boarding A School Bus

  1. Line up in single file.
  2. Approach the bus only when it has stopped and the driver has opened the door.
  3. Don’t push or crowd others.
  4. Use the handrail, climb the steps one at a time, and be seated quickly.

D. Rules When Riding the Bus

  1. Obey the driver’s instructions.
  2. Promptly be seated and remain in your seat.
  3. Speak quietly and use appropriate language.
  4. Keep all parts of your body inside the bus.
  5. Keep the bus clean and do not damage it.
  6. Do not throw any object.
  7. Do not bring weapons/dangerous objects on the bus.
  8. The use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs is prohibited.
  9. Fighting, harassment, and horseplay are prohibited.

E. Procedures for Leaving a School Bus

  1. Remain seated until the bus stops.
  2. Let the students in front get off first.
  3. Don’t push or crowd.
  4. Watch your step, and use the handrail.
  5. Move out of the “danger zone.”

F. Procedure for Safe Crossing of Vehicle Lanes

  1. Move away from the side of the bus, to at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
  2. Turn to the driver and make eye contact.
  3. Wait for the driver to signal that it is safe to cross.
  4. Walk 10 feet in front of the bus, stopping to check for vehicles that might violate the stop arm.
  5. When it’s safe, complete the crossing.

G. Procedure & Rules for Emergency Evacuation

There are three different evacuation plans:

  1. using only the front service door
  2. using only the rear (or side) emergency door
  3. using both the service door & the emergency door

While Evacuating

  1. Be quiet and wait for instruction
  2. Be alert, move quickly & leave personal belongings on the bus
  3. Keep your feet out of the aisle, go out seat by seat, alternating sides.
  4. Duck your head when going out the emergency door.
  5. After you are out of the door, move away from the bus as this clears the way for others to follow.
  6. Go a distance of at least 100 feet from the bus and remain there in a group until given further instructions by the driver.

H. Consequences

Consequences for school bus/bus stop misconduct will apply to all regular and late routes. Decisions regarding a student’s ability to ride the bus in connection with co-curricular and extra-curricular events will be in the sole discretion of the school district.

Parents or guardians will be notified of all school bus offenses and of any suspension of bus privileges. Consequences are as follows:

  1. Elementary (K-6)
    1st offense: warning; parents notified by mail
    2nd offense: warning; parents are called
    3rd offense: 1 to 3 day suspension from riding the bus; parents are called
    4th offense: up to 10 day suspension from riding the bus; meeting with parent(s)
    Further offenses will be individually considered.
    Students may be suspended for longer periods of time, including the remainder of the school year.
  2. Secondary (7-12)
    1st offense: detention will be assigned and parents will be notified
    2nd offense: in-school suspension will be assigned
    3rd offense: the student will lose riding privileges for up to 2 weeks
    4th offense: depending on the severity of the offense, the driver may be authorized to refuse transportation to the offender on the next day following the incident
    5th offense: transportation privileges may be referred to the school board for permanent withdrawal of bus privileges
  3. Records
    Records of school bus/bus stop misconduct will be forwarded to the individual school building and will be retained in the same manner as other student discipline records. Reports of serious misconduct will be provided to the Department of Public Safety. Records may also be maintained in the transportation office.
  4. Vandalism/Bus Damage
    Students damaging school buses will be responsible for the damages. Failure to pay such damages (or make arrangements to pay) within two weeks may result in the loss of bus privileges until damages are paid.
  5. Notice
    Students will be given a copy of school bus and bus stop rules during the school bus safety training. Rules will be posted on every bus, and both the rules and consequences will be periodically reviewed with students by the driver.
  6. Criminal Conduct
    In cases involving criminal conduct (for example: assault, vandalism or the possession of weapons), the Superintendent, local law enforcement officials and the Department of Public Safety will be informed.

III. PARENT AND GUARDIAN INVOLVEMENT

A. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities for Transportation Safety

  1. Become familiar with district rules, policies, and principals of school bus safety
  2. Assist students in understanding safety rules and encourage them to abide by them
  3. Recognize their responsibilities for the actions of their students
  4. When appropriate, assist students in safely crossing local streets before boarding and after leaving the bus
  5. Monitor bus stops, if possible
  6. Communicate safety concerns to administrators
  7. Support all efforts to improve school bus safety

B. Parent/Guardian Notification

A copy of the school district school bus and bus stop rules will be provided to each family at the beginning of the school year or when a child enrolls, if this occurs during the school year. Parents/guardians are asked to review the rules with their students.

C. Unclear Student Destinations

In the event an elementary student is unsure of where to be transported after school, we will make certain every attempt is made to contact the parents, guardians or other persons listed on the school or bus emergency cards. If all other attempts fail, we will transport the student to the Parkview Learning Center and place the student in the After School Care Program.

We feel this ensures the student’s safety and is in the best interest of the student, parent and school district. In such case that this procedure must be followed, the current daily fee for after school child care will be charged to the student’s family.

D. Students’ Failure to Arrive at Destination

If a child fails to show up at his/her destination spot at the designated time and place, parents/guardians are asked to contact the school garage at 741-6240; the Parkview Learning Center at 749-5437, extension 4302.

Rock Ridge Public Schools Since 2020

Rock Ridge Public Schools combines the communities of Eveleth, Gilbert, and Virginia into a progressive school district embracing an academy style high school to provide students with a real world learning environment.

District Office

1405 Progress Parkway
Virginia, MN 55792

(218) 735-3500
Fax: 218-744-4381
[email protected]