- Giles County School System
- Bus Rules and Consequences
Transportation
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Dear Parents:
The bus drivers, technicians, and staff of the Giles County Pupil Transportation Department want to thank you for the opportunity to provide transportation for your child (children). Safety is job number one at the Pupil Transportation Department. One of the key elements in bus safety is the cooperation of every student in adhering the bus rules and the directions of the bus driver. When students distract the bus driver their actions jeopardizes the safety of all children on the school bus.
To ensure the safety of our students and our drivers, students who violate school bus rules will be held accountable for their actions. If your child receives a disciplinary form, please communicate to your child that their actions jeopardizes their safety and/or the safety of the other children on the bus.
If you have any concern(s) regarding the transportation of your child/children please communicate your concerns to the bus driver. Please remember, our safety protocol only permits students and authorized school employees to board a school bus. If you wish to talk to a bus driver please go to the driver’s window if traffic allows. If this is not possible, please go to the door but do not step onto the bus.
If you have any complaints about your child’s/children’s driver please file a complaint with our office at 931-363-4598. The Transportation Supervisor will begin an investigation on the complaint within twenty-four hours of receipt.
Please have your child/children arrive at the bus stop five minutes prior to the bus arrival when weather permits. This will eliminate accidents and will help keep the bus route running on time. If your child/children will be absent from school, please call Pupil Transportation so that we can notify the bus driver. One of the key elements of your child’s/children’s success in school is attendance.
School buses are required to stop at all railroad tracks crossing to ensure the track is clear of any trains before crossing. If your child rides a bus that crosses railroad tracks, please discuss the importance of using their quiet voice so that the bus driver can listen for any oncoming trains.
Thank you for the opportunity to transport your child and being an education partner.
Sincerely,
Theresa Busby,
Transportation Supervisor
Rules for Students as Passengers on Buses
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1. Rules for Boarding the Bus
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Students must be at the designated bus stop at the time the bus is scheduled to arrive. Regular schedules must be observed, the bus cannot wait for tardy students. To ensure safety have your child/children to their bus stop 5 minutes prior to the bus arrival.
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If crossing the road before getting on the bus, students must wait for a signal from the driver and cross well in front of the bus, never behind the bus.
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Students must always stand a safe distance from the road, and never in the road while waiting for the bus. While at the bus stop, students should:
a. Conduct themselves in an orderly manner.
b. Avoid littering.
c. Respect nearby private property rights.
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2. Rules for Exiting the Bus
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Students must use the service entrance door while unloading and not the emergency exit door. The emergency exit is to be used only in emergency situations.
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If crossing the road after exiting the bus, students must wait for a signal from the driver and cross approximately twelve (12) feet in front of the bus, never behind the bus.
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Students are not permitted to leave the bus at places other than the regular stops at home or school, unless authorized by a parent or school official.
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3. Rules for Riding the Bus
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The bus driver shall be totally in charge. Students must respond promptly and respectfully to instructions.
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Seats are assigned by the driver. Students are required to sit in their assigned seat every trip. Only the driver, principal or Transportation Supervisor can re-assign seats.
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Students must take their seats promptly after boarding the bus, and remain seated while the bus is in motion.
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Aisles and exits must be kept clear at all times.
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Students must not extend any part of their bodies outside of the bus windows.
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Students shall not throw objects on the bus or out the windows.
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Students shall not distract the bus driver.
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Students shall not litter.
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The use of alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, eating, chewing gum or soda drinks on the bus is prohibited.
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The use of electronic devices or other items in a manner that might interfere with the school bus communication equipment or the driver's operation of the school bus is prohibited. this may include, but is not limited to, cell phones, audible radios, tape or compact disc players, mirrors, lasers, flash cameras or other reflective devices.
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Students must keep the aisles clear of items such as musical instruments, books, backpacks,etc. If students must carry such items, they will NOT occupy another student seat nor extend above the seat back. Animals (alive or dead), oversize objects as well as glass containers are not permitted.
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If a student causes damage to a bus, they or their parents must pay for that damage.
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Students must observe classroom conduct. Ordinary conversation is permitted. Loud, boisterous, profane language and obscene gestures or indecent conduct will not be tolerated.
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Students shall be respectful at all times to driver and other students. It is unacceptable to be discourteous, impolite, rude, insubordinate or surly.
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Students shall not be disruptive as follows: It is unacceptable to interrupt in any of its settings, the orderly course of transportation affairs by any means, way form. or fashion.
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Students shall not be abusive or aggressive as follows: It is unacceptable to interrupt in any of its settings, the orderly course of transportation affairs by any means, way form, or fashion.
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Students must have a bus pass to ride any bus other than their assigned bus. Parents must send written notice in advance to school principal with appropriate information for child to ride a different bus. Principal or their designee will approve and issue a Bus Pass. Student will give bus pass to bus driver when they board the bus.
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A student shall become ineligible for pupil transportation when his/her behavior is such as to cause dissension on a school bus or when he disobeys state or local rules and regulations pertaining to pupil transportation.
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Violations and Consequences
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Level II Violations and Consequences
Level II Violation:
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Third Violation of Level I behavior
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Tampering with bus equipment
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Fight/pushing/tripping
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Bringing articles aboard the bus of injurious or objectionable nature
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Destruction of property (Parent/guardian fiscally responsible for damages - student will remain off bus until damages are paid)
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Possession and/or use of tobacco products
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Profane language/obscene gestures
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Throwing objects in or out of bus
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Hanging out of bus window
Possible Consequences:
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Bus riding suspension (min. 5 school days)
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Min. 15 school day bus riding suspension for repeat occurrence of Level II violation
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Out of school suspension
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Level I Violations and Consequences
Level I Violation:
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Eating or drinking on the bus
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Failure to remain seated
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Improper boarding/departing procedure
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Refusing to obey driver
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Loud, rude or abusive behavior
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Chewing gum
Possible Consequences:
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Written reprimand (Maximum 1 warning.
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Bus riding suspension (3 to 5 school days)
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Out of school suspension
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Level III Violations and Consequences
Level III Violations:
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Third violation of Level II behavior
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Physical assault/verbal threat directed to bus driver
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Attempting to set fire to seat, hair, clothing, etc.
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Possession and/or use of alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia
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Possession of a weapon
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Unapproved use of emergency exits on bus
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Use of chemical substance with intent to do bodily harm
Possible Consequences:
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Bus riding suspension (minimum 30 school days, maximum 180 school days)
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Out of school suspension
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Action by the Board of Education (up to and including expulsion)
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Appropriate legal action
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