Transportation Guidelines

To ensure the safety and security of each student, it is essential that a regular procedure for returning to home from school daily be established and followed every day. A change in transportation arrangements must be pre-approved or the student will be expected to follow his/her normal procedure. In the event of an emergency, the parent/guardian must contact the building principal.

 

NOTE: If a change in procedure must be made, parents are required to send a handwritten note with school verification or email to explain the circumstances (will not be accepted after 10:00 a.m.). If the change of procedure requires that a student get off the bus at a different bus stop, the student will be issued a temporary bus pass if approved by an administrator.

OSSD BOT Policy JCAD - Bus Conduct

1. The student must ride the bus assigned to him/her in the morning and the afternoon.
2. No bus changes or pick-up/drop-off changes will be allowed (except for extreme emergency situations which require principal or designee approval).
3. Permanent bus changes and/or pick-up and drop-off changes must have the prior approval of the school, parent, and transportation department. If a change is approved, a new form must be completed by the parent/guardian.
4. No student will be allowed to ride home with another student for any reason other than extreme emergency situations with the principal or designee approval (bus pass will be required).
5. Projects that will not fit in a child’s lap will NOT be permitted on the bus.

School Bus Conduct

1. Students must be at assigned stops 5 minutes prior to loading time.                          
2. At no time should students touch the outside of the bus, nor hang heads, arms, legs, hands or bodies out the window of the bus.                           
3. Immediately upon entering the bus, students are to be seated in assigned seats and are to remain seated until they arrive at their destination.
4. Students will board the bus and leave the bus according to the instructions of the bus driver.  Students are to obey all instructions of the bus driver.
5. Students may not leave the bus on its way to or from the school except at their designated stop.
6. Students must cross the road in front of the bus during loading and unloading.
7. Students are not to throw, sail, shoot, or pitch objects.
8. Drivers have the option of delegating students to an assigned seat. Students must sit in the seat assigned by the driver.
9. The bus must come to a complete stop before students try to enter or exit.
10. Loud talking and other loud noises are not permitted on the school bus.
11. Students are not to damage any part of the bus. Students will be held financially responsible for any damage done.
12. No beverages or food may be consumed on the bus.
13. Chewing gum is prohibited on the school bus.
14. Intentional littering on the bus is prohibited.
15. Students must identify themselves properly when requested to do so by school personnel.
16. Vulgar language is prohibited on the school bus.
17. Students are not to harass, intimidate, or threaten other students while waiting for or while riding on a school bus.
18. Fighting is prohibited on the bus or at the bus stop.
19. Use or possession of dangerous objects on the school bus or at the bus stop is forbidden.
20. Students will not use, sell, or possess drugs or alcohol on the school bus or at the bus stop.
21. Stealing is prohibited.
22. Smoking is prohibited on school property. Tobacco products are not permitted on the bus.
23. Open defiance or displays of disrespect or insolence toward a bus driver are not acceptable.
24. Other misbehavior as determined by the administration, including a pattern of misbehavior will not be permitted.

Bus Discipline Ladder

1. 1st Offense: Warning
2. 2nd Offense: 1-day suspension from all OSSD Transportation
3. 3rd Offense: 3-day suspension from all OSSD Transportation
4. 4th Offense: 1-week suspension from all OSSD Transportation
5. 5th Offense: 2-week suspension from all OSSD Transportation
6. 6th Offense: 3-week suspension from all OSSD Transportation

The privilege of riding a school bus carries with it some responsibilities on the part of the student. Drivers are expected to keep order and discipline on the bus, but their major responsibility has to be driving the bus. Therefore, students are expected to cooperate with the following regulations: 

 

In cases when a child does not follow bus regulations, such behavior/conduct will be brought to the attention of the school principal or his/her designee through the issuance of a Bus Conduct Report. At this point, the student may be placed on the discipline ladder for his/her school. The 1st referral is a written warning, 2nd referral will warrant a three-day suspension from the bus, a 3rd referral will warrant a five-day suspension, etc. If the student is a serious disciplinary problem or a danger to himself/herself or the safety of other students, he/she may have riding privileges suspended immediately, with consideration being given to circumstances surrounding each case. In case of suspension, the parent/guardian will be responsible for providing transportation to and from school. If a student exceeds six (6) bus suspensions, he/she may be required to appear before the OSSD BOT Board for possible expulsion of bus privileges.