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Bus: Guidelines and Behavior Expectations
 
The Windham Northeast Supervisory Union school bus drivers perform a very important and responsible job every day. The passengers we carry are our children and the children of the communities we serve. The way we drive, act, look and the way we keep our equipment reflects our professional attitude and our commitment to the safe transportation of our precious cargo. It is our goal to maintain an efficient transportation system that assures each student a safe, comfortable ride to and from school. In addition, we must comply with all state laws and school policies, including the reporting of suspected abuse or neglect and possible harassment, bullying, and hazing. In order to do this, it is important that we follow procedures, which are easily understood by all students, parents, and employees. It is critically important that students do their part so that our drivers are not distracted by inappropriate behavior, endangering all the students on board. 
 
Transportation is a privilege, not a right. We strive to achieve the goal of transporting our students safely and efficiently. 

To achieve this goal, we expect all students to follow these expectations:
 
Positive Bus Behaviors:
Follow the driver’s directions and be respectful to the driver and other adults on the bus at all times.
  1. Be kind and courteous to others.
  2. Talk quietly.
  3. Stay in your seat
  4. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
  5. Behave as you are expected to when you are in school.
 
The WNESU bus discipline system divides problematic behaviors into two categories—Level 1 and Severe. Level 1 offenses can be judged to be severe if they are repeated and/or result in distracting the driver.
 
Level 1 Offenses:
  • Standing up or changing seats while the bus is moving.
  • Eating or drinking on the bus without permission to do so.
  • Speaking loudly, yelling, or making other unnecessary noise.
  • Occasional use of profanity.
  • Littering or spitting inside the bus.
  • Improper boarding or departing.
  • Bringing questionable items on the bus.
  • Throwing objects on the bus.
  • Diverting the driver’s attention.
  • Any other objectionable behavior.
 
Level 1 Consequences:
The following disciplinary procedures will be used for Level 1 offenses:
  1.  First Violation: At the first Level 1 offense, commencing with the beginning of the school year, the bus driver will verbally warn the student.
  2. Second Violation: If the student fails to comply with this warning, or if there are subsequent violations of any kind, the bus driver will report the incident to the building principal or designee by using the reporting system employed by the district. The principal or designee will notify the parent/guardian of the infraction and any disciplinary measures as soon as is possible, ideally no later than 12 hours after an incident occurs. Suspension of riding privileges from all WNESU buses for 1-3 days may occur as a result of the second violation.
  3. Third Violation: A third reported violation shall result in the suspension of bus riding privileges for the student for a minimum of 2 to 4 days. 
  4. Further Level 1 violations will be treated as severe.
 
Severe Behavior Offenses:
  • Disrespectful behavior directed at the bus driver or at other adults on the bus.
  • Refusal to follow instructions from the bus driver.
  • Refusal to stay in an assigned seat.
  • Pervasive use of profanity.
  • Throwing litter or other objects out the window.
  • Hanging any body parts outside of the window.
  • Destruction of property or vandalism.
  • Use of drugs, alcohol, or nicotine products in any form.
  • Using matches or lighters.
  • Bringing potentially dangerous objects onto the bus.
  • Possible harassment or bullying.
  • Fighting, pushing, or tripping others.
  • Any other behavior that has the potential to endanger others.
  • Items from the Level 1 list that are judged to be severe in nature.
 
Severe Behavior Consequences:
Severe behavior at any time may result in more serious disciplinary measures whether the student has received previous warnings or bus reports or not but shall always result in at least a 2-10 day suspension from riding all non-essential WNESU buses.
 
Suspension of Bus Riding Privileges:
 
After a severe behavior violation, suspension of bus riding privileges for the remainder of the school year is a disciplinary option at the discretion of the building principal as are additional days of suspension. Repeated severe violations may also result in extended suspensions.
 
Based on administrative review or investigation of an incident of either Level 1 or Severe Behavior, suspension from riding the bus may occur at any time. In addition, some serious bus behaviors can result in disciplinary consequences at school and/or reports to law enforcement.
 
Appeals of Bus Suspensions:
 
A parent or guardian may appeal a suspension of a student’s riding privileges if such
appeal is delivered in writing to the superintendent of schools. The decision of the superintendent shall be final. Temporary suspensions of 3 days or less may not be
 
Returning to Riding the Bus:
 
The overarching goal of this disciplinary system is for an offending student to be able to
return to riding the bus with no more behavior problems. Before a student is reinstated on the bus, the school may determine that a meeting between the parent/guardian, student, building level principal, and/or transportation supervisor or bus driver needs to take place in order to ensure the student’s success.