Student Conduct on the Bus

Transportation provided under the direction of the Pickerington Board of Education is a privilege for students. It is expected that all students who ride the school buses will conduct themselves as good passengers. While on the bus—whether traveling to and from school or on special trips—students are subject to the same regulations as in the classroom, as the bus serves as an extension of the learning environment.

Transportation Rules and Discipline

The safety of our students is always the district’s first concern. The safe operation of a school bus requires both the full attention of the school bus driver and proper behavior of the student passengers. Parents are asked to discuss with their children their individual responsibilities for a safe bus ride and the importance of observing the bus rules. These rules are based on state law, Ohio Department of Education guidelines, and Pickerington Schools policies (*8600 Transportation). Adherence to these rules ensures the safety and welfare of all riders.

Remember, the school bus driver is the school district representative in charge of the bus. A driver’s instructions must be followed and respected by students on the bus. These instructions guide the students as they board and leave the bus and help manage student conduct during the ride.

Student Regulations

The superintendent/designee is authorized to deny transportation to a student.  A student must be given a written notice of the intended suspension.  The student shall have the opportunity to appear informally before the superintendent or superintendent’s designee before the suspension is imposed.  Students are also subject to emergency removal from the bus for other disciplines. If emergency removal is imposed, a hearing will be held within three (3) school days of the initial removal.  The notice shall also include the reasons for removal.  Students may be suspended for up to one (1) year.

1. Parents/guardians are responsible for the safety of their student(s) before pick up and after drop off. Students should take the safest route to the bus stop and arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. While waiting at a safe distance from traffic, students must be respectful of other individuals, their possessions, and surrounding property, and behave in an orderly manner.
   
   
2. Students should not run toward a moving bus or approach the bus until the driver opens the door. Students should board the bus calmly, proceed directly to the first available or their assigned seat and sit facing forward. In some cases, elementary and middle school students are assigned three students to a seat. When school is dismissed, students will have ample time to board their assigned bus. After the bus drivers have been notified that it is clear to leave, they are instructed to close the bus doors and drive away.
   
   
3. Students must remain seated properly at all times (seat to seat, back to back, feet to floor), keeping aisles and exits clear. Students may not move from seat to seat. No standing on seats or sitting on the backs of seats. Students will keep all parts of their bodies inside the bus.
   
   
4. When crossing a street to enter or exit the bus, a student must watch for traffic in both directions, obey the bus driver's hand signal, and walk at least ten steps in front of the bus. Students must cross in front of the bus and obey the driver's hand signals when crossing the street. Before crossing, the driver will raise his/her hand. When the hand is lowered, the student should cross to the center of the street, stop, and look both ways to check for oncoming traffic. If it is safe, the student should continue crossing and walk directly to his or her place of safety. Never stop to pick up anything from under the bus.
   
   
5. Students shall ride only on assigned buses and may not disembark at any location other than the assigned bus stop without prior administrative approval. Students may only get on and off the bus at their assigned locations unless they have written parental and administrative permission to do so. Students who wish to ride a different bus for a trip must have a note signed by the parent/guardian(s) and the building administrator/designee. This will only be done in an emergency, not for convenience.
   
   
6. Unauthorized or inappropriate touching or hitting, stomping, spitting, or making physical threats to a student, bus driver, or anyone else is not permitted and will generally result in a suspension of at least three (3) days.
   
   
7. Eating, drinking and chewing gum is not permitted on the bus at any time, except for medical reasons.
   
   
8. Students should observe classroom behavior and follow their school's code of conduct while on the bus. All instructions from the driver should be followed promptly and respectfully. Ask the driver for permission to open the windows.
   
   
9. Vandalism of the bus, such as cutting seats, punching/poking holes, defacing, etc., is not permitted and at no time are students permitted to tamper with the emergency exit door or windows. Students who tamper with or vandalize the bus or any of its equipment, including emergency equipment, will be suspended. In addition, students and parents/guardians will be held financially responsible for any malicious destruction of the bus and/or equipment.
   
   
10. Noise on the bus must be kept to a minimum at all times to ensure safe operation of the bus.
    
    
11. Absolute quiet must be maintained at all railroad crossings until the bus has safely crossed the tracks and at other hazardous locations as determined by the bus driver. Students shall not use abusive, obscene, profane, or offensive language, gestures, or signs toward bus drivers, monitors, school personnel, other students, or adults.
    
    
12. Ohio law prohibits students from smoking and/or using and/or possessing tobacco in any area under the control of the school district or at any activity supervised by any school in the District. This law extends to the use of tobacco in any form on the bus. Students are prohibited from smoking or otherwise using, possessing, buying, selling, attempting to sell, distributing, or burning tobacco in any form, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, clove cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, and any other form of tobacco.
    
    
13. Students are not permitted to use matches or cigarette lighters. A student shall not burn or attempt to burn any part of any school bus or objects therein, or any other property belonging to another person or to the Pickerington Schools.
    
    
14. Throwing or passing anything on the bus, at the bus or out the windows of the bus, is prohibited and will result in suspension from the bus.
    
    
15. Students must immediately obey the bus driver's instructions the first time they are given and refrain from talking back. Failure of a student to comply with reasonable requests or instructions of a school employee or bus driver will be considered insubordination. Any student distraction of the bus driver will be considered a violation of the Student Discipline Code.
    
    
16. Except as required by state or federal disability laws, animals of any size will not be transported on a school bus (as specified in a student’s IEP or 504 Accommodation Plan).
    
    
17. Students may possess and use wireless communication devices (WCDs) on the school bus. However, distracting use of a device that creates an unsafe environment will not be tolerated (i.e., loud playback, inappropriate or offensive language, bright lights, etc.). The bus driver or District staff member (e.g., teacher, activity sponsor, counselor, coach) has the right to ask any student to turn off their device. Students are prohibited from using WCDs to capture, record, or transmit the words (i.e., audio) and/or images (i.e., pictures/videos) of any student, staff member, or other person. Failure to comply may result in bus suspension.
    
    
18. A student may not possess, transfer, or conceal a dangerous weapon, dangerous instrument, or "look-alike" imitation weapon or instrument. Look-alike weapons may include, but are not limited to, starter pistols, stun guns, or any object that a reasonable person would consider to be a weapon or dangerous instrument under the circumstances, such as firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, knives, or mace.
    
    
19. Students may not possess alcohol or narcotics while on the bus, with the exception of prescription medication required for a student. A student may not possess, solicit, use, conceal, sell, offer to sell, be under the influence of, show evidence of use of, deliver, or transfer narcotics, other illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, alcoholic beverages, counterfeit controlled substances, or "look-alike" controlled substances. A look-alike controlled substance may include, but is not limited to, anything that a reasonable person would believe to be a controlled substance because of its similarity in shape, size, color, markings, labeling, packaging, distribution, or the price for which it is sold or offered for sale. Possession includes, but is not limited to, having on the student's person or in a purse, wallet, locker, desk, or vehicle on school property or used for school purposes. Included in the prohibition is any substance that is presented as a controlled substance, such as non-alcoholic beer, steroids, tobacco products, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and drug paraphernalia.
    
    
20. Students may only carry items on the bus that can be held in their lap and must be secured (this includes book bags).

• • No glass containers or aerosol cans are allowed on the school bus. Balloons, lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, basketballs, and skateboards are not allowed on the bus. Baseball bats, tennis rackets, and athletic equipment are permitted when transported in appropriate bags/covers. They must be held on the lap. 
  • Lacrosse sticks, golf clubs, and basketballs are NOT allowed. 
  • In addition, if students attempt to carry more items than can be safely held on their lap, they will not be permitted to ride. 
  • Headphones, boom boxes, toys, etc. must be kept in book bags. This includes musical instruments. 

Students are not permitted to bring the following musical instruments on buses transporting students to and from school:

• • Tenor Sax
  • French Horn
  • Baritone
  • Trombone
  • Tuba
  • Drums
  • Cello
  • String Bass

21. Drivers may confiscate anything brought onto the bus.

22. All students are subject to the District's harassment policy.

23. Civil charges may be filed against a student for serious violation(s) of the rules.

24. Students must comply with all provisions and requirements of the Student Code of Conduct.

Student Misconduct on the Bus

Corrective action for misconduct on a school bus will follow appropriate District and Petermann policy. Typically, following a progressive approach, minor Infractions may involve corrective action by the bus driver at the time of the incident or a subsequent call to a parent or guardian.

• • Students who receive a misconduct slip must have it signed by a parent/guardian and return it to the bus driver the next time the student boards the bus. 
  • Failure to do so may result in suspension of riding privileges until the signed misconduct slip is returned.

Major Infractions may lead to immediate suspension of riding privileges.

• • Serious or repeated infractions that jeopardize the safety of one's self or others will result in a write-up for Petermann personnel to address. If a student receives a third write-up, disciplinary action will be taken. Such discipline may include suspension from bus transportation up to and including, if warranted, immediate removal from a bus. 
  • Students have a right to due process and students who are suspended from bus transportation will be handled by the Petermann Discipline Coordinator and school administration during school hours. Serious offenses may result in the school resource officers and/or local authorities being involved. Parents, guardians, or designees are responsible for transporting students to and from school when bus privileges have been suspended.

Example of Misconduct Slip

 

As an added measure of safety, our transportation fleet is equipped with video recording devices to monitor bus conditions and video recordings may be used to support disciplinary action(s) or for driver training purposes. Petermann is the sole owner of the video recordings and viewership is restricted to Petermann and District personnel.                                                                                                                                                                                       

Questions?

   Please Contact Petermann Transportation at 614.837.8525.