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The Superintendent of Schools will insure that all bus drivers know and understand their responsibilities for establishing and maintaining appropriate student behavior on school buses. The administrative procedure for Bus Conduct will be included in each driver’s Transportation Handbook.

Discipline

Self-control on the part of the student is necessary for the safe operation of any school bus. Students are expected to conform to the same standards of behavior as required during regular school activities.

Students who fail to conform to reasonable behavior expectations may expect to receive disciplinary measures. Repeated or serious violations will result in short or long term loss of bus privileges, and subject to all other provisions contained in Code of Student Conduct.

Safety

All drivers will emphasize safety instructions and emergency evacuation procedures during the first week of school. An annual emergency drill will be conducted.

Students are expected to follow safety procedures concerning loading, unloading, seating and emergency evacuation as directed by their driver, teacher and principal.

Violation of safety measures is considered a serious offense; appropriate disciplinary measures will result.

Transportation Rules and Pupil Responsibilities

School Bus Rules and Pupil Responsibilities

1. The driver is in charge of the bus and all pupils aboard. Obey the driver promptly and cheerfully.
2. Be on time; the driver cannot wait beyond his or her regular schedule for those who are tardy.
3. Wait in an orderly line off the street or road.
4. Cross in front of the bus only when the road is clear and at a safe distance in front of the bus in order to be seen by the driver. (Minimum: 10 Feet)
5. Do not run toward a school bus while it is in motion.
6. Ride only the bus assigned by school officials.
7. Do not try to get on or off the bus or move about within the bus while it is in motion.
8. Pupils must remain seated while the bus is moving. Ride three in a seat, if necessary, and do not exchange seats unless given permission by the driver. If all seats are taken, stand to the rear while the bus is in motion.
9. Behave on the bus as you are expected to behave in the classroom. Any acts of physical violence, bullying, physical assault or battery of other persons on the bus, disrespectful conduct toward the school bus driver or other persons on the bus and other unruly behavior is prohibited. Physical violence is defined as intentionally making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with another or intentionally making physical contact that causes physical harm to another unless such physical contacts or harms were in self-defense.
10. Do not engage in any activity which might divert the driver’s attention and cause an accident such as:
    1. Loud talking or laughing, or unnecessary confusion.
    2. Unnecessary conversation with the driver.
    3. Extending any part of the body out of the bus windows or doors.
11. The usage of mirrors, lasers, flash camera, or any other lights or reflective devices in a manner that might interfere with the school bus driver’s operation of the school bus is prohibited.
12. The usage of any electronic devices during the operation of a school bus that might interfere with the school bus communications equipment or the school bus driver’s operation of the bus is prohibited.
13. Pupils are not to open or close bus doors at any time nor shall they regulate or operate any part of the bus. Students must be able to hold items carried on the bus in his/her lap. This does not include prohibited items.
14. Do not engage in any activity which might damage, cause excessive wear or litter to the bus or other property. The following activities are prohibited at all times:
    1. Smoking, eating, possession or use of alcoholic beverages on the bus.
    2. Spitting or throwing anything in or from the bus.
    3. Possessing knives or sharp objects on the bus.
    4. Bringing animals, baseball bats, skateboards, or any other item deemed inappropriate by the Director of Transportation.
15. Pupils will not leave the bus on the way to school or home without permission of the driver. Driver will not give permission for changes in transportation except in case of personal emergency, or upon request of the principal or pupil’s parents. A written request is required.
16. Pupils must be courteous to driver, to fellow students, and to passersby at all times.
17. Report promptly to the driver any damage done to the bus. Persons causing damage shall be expected to defray its full cost.
18. All School Board Policies governing Student Discipline and Conduct will be observed.

Violations

Discipline for bus misconduct will be handled with an age appropriate, progressive plan of discipline that may include any of the punishments listed in the disciplinary action plan. In addition to these punishments, bus conduct will also be subject to bus contracts, assigned seating, and short-term, long-term, or permanent removal of bus riding privileges. Automatic suspension of bus riding privileges can be implemented for the following offenses: fighting, cussing, vulgar language, obscene gestures, bullying, or other behavior deemed inappropriate by the school administration or Director of Transportation.

When a student is removed from a bus, they are not allowed to ride any Tift County bus. During any bus suspension, the parent/student is responsible for school attendance, unless he/she has been suspended from school.

Grades K-6

• 1st Offense: Discretion of administrator.
• 2nd Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for 2 days.
• 3rd Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for 3 days.
• 4th Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for 4 days.
• 5th Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for 5 days.
• 6 or more Offenses: Suspension of bus privileges for a minimum of 10 days.
• Automatic Suspension: Suspension of bus privileges for a minimum of 10 days.

Grades 7-12

• 1st Offense: Discretion of administrator.
• 2nd Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for 3 days.
• 3rd Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for 6 days.
• 4th Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for 9 days.
• 5th Offense: Suspension of bus privileges for 15 days.
• 6 or more Offenses: Suspension of bus privileges for a minimum of 30 days.
• Automatic Suspension: Suspension of bus privileges for a minimum of 30 days.

Tift County Schools
207 North Ridge Avenue :: P.O. Box 389 :: Tifton, Georgia 31794
Phone: (229) 387-2400 :: Fax: (229) 386-1020

Tift County Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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