Transportation
Lindale ISD’s Transportation Department, providing all students
FAQ
Bus Rules
LINDALE ISD’s TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
BUS RIDER GUIDELINES
2009-2010
Lindale ISD’s Transportation Department, providing all students
while partnering in the development of productive and responsible citizens
Responsibilities of Bus Riders
1. Respect and obey the bus driver, monitor or other school personnel at all times.
2. Students need to be at the bus stop when the bus arrives. Failing to be on time or delaying the bus will result in lost privileges.
3. Use classroom voices and never yell inside or to others outside the bus.
4. Quickly board the bus in an orderly manner and be seated immediately.
5. Aisles are to be kept clear at all times.
6. Face forward and remain seated while the bus is in operation. Students must sit with their backs against the back rest, leaning towards the window or aisle is not allowed.
7. Respect other passengers by keeping hands and feet to yourself at all times.
8. Hands, head, arms, etc. are never allowed outside of the bus while moving or standing still.
9. Do not damage or vandalize the bus or the property of others.
10. Students must board the bus from the school they attend.
11. Students must have a note written by their parent/guardian to get off the bus at any stop other than their home. Once a student boards the bus, the student must remain on the bus until they reach their scheduled destination.
12. Students may not throw any object, including trash or paper, from either inside or outside of the bus. Please place all trash into the trash can provided.
13. Eating and drinking food and beverages on the bus is prohibited.
14. GUM CHEWING is not allowed on the bus.
15. There are no electronic devices allowed at any time. Failure to follow this rule will lead to immediate suspension.
DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT
FOR LINDALE ISD
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Students failing to follow their responsibilities as an L.I.S.D bus rider will be subjected to the following:
Violations will be classified as:
1. Minor infraction - the following incomplete list gives examples of minor infractions.
A. standing, moving or refusing to sit properly while bus is in progress
(State law mandates that all students remain seated while the bus moving.)
B. eating or drinking on the bus (Gum is not allowed on the bus)
C. discarding or leaving trash on the bus
D. loud talking or screaming
E. placing a body part (hand, arm, head, etc.) on the outside of the bus
F. failure to load or unload in an orderly manner
Student safety is our concern. Therefore, students are expected to listen and follow the bus driver’s instructions. Students are given every opportunity for success.
Consequences of breaking a minor violation are as follows:
Notes Home Parent Report – This is a written report to parents and guardians, informing the home that the student needs to change behavior.
This is intended to give parents the information they need to assist the students in their success. Notes Home forms need to be signed and returned to the driver or monitor. Failure to do so will lead to loss of bus riding privileges.
LEVEL I – a verbal warning, which includes the student’s 1st written discipline report
- Mail a copy of the discipline report to parent/guardian.
- Phone call to parent or guardian at transportation director’s discretion.
- Students who refuse to correct behavior or are disrespectful may be subject to immediate suspension on a Level I infraction
LEVEL II -2nd written discipline report
Discipline per the discretion of the transportation director:
- Mail a copy of the discipline report to parent/guardian.
- Phone call to parent/guardian and or request parent conference
- Mail a copy of the discipline report to parent/guardian
- Possible loss of bus riding privilege for 3-5 school days
LEVEL III- 3rd written discipline report
- mail a copy of the discipline report to parent/guardian
- Phone call to parent/guardian and or parent conference
- loss of bus riding privilege for a minimum of 5 days per the discretion of the transportation director
LEVEL IV- 4th written discipline report
- mail a copy of the discipline report to parent/guardian
- Phone call to parent/guardian and or parent conference
- Loss of bus riding privilege for a minimum of 10 days per the discretion of the transportation director
LEVEL V - 5th written discipline report
- mail a copy of the discipline report to parent/guardian
- Phone call to parent/guardian and or parent conference
- loss of bus riding privilege for the remainder of the semester per the discretion of the transportation director
SERIOUS OFFENSES
The consequence for the (1st) serious offense is the immediate removal of the bus rider from riding any LISD bus for5 days,15 days, or for the remainder of the semester. Consequence for the (2nd) is immediate removal of the bus rider from riding any LISD bus for 15 days or for the remainder of the semester and the (3rd) will result in the bus rider being removed from any LISD bus for at least the remainder of the semester.
Any serious offense violation may be referred to the LISD Constables for review.
The following examples are not all inclusive:
A. fighting;
B. vandalism;
C. use of abusive language or the use of obscene language and gestures
D. any reckless action that could cause harm to the normal operation of the bus;
E. use of tobacco;
F. any form of sexual harassment;
G. unauthorized opening or exiting through emergency exits
H. Refusing to follow driver instructions to the point that it interrupts bus progress
I. laser pointers are considered a serious offense, they are not allowed outside of backpack at any time while on the bus or waiting for the bus.
J. Bully behavior or torment of others
K. Throwing anything on the bus or out of the bus.
L. The use of electronic devices such as Cell Phones, MP3, CD Players, Radios, Etc.
MAJOR OFFENSES
The consequence for the first (1st) major offense is the immediate removal of the bus rider from riding any LISD bus for at least the remainder of the semester, second (2nd) offense is the immediate removal of the bus rider from riding any LISD bus for at least the remainder of the school year, and other disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the school administration.
All Major offense violations will be referred to the LISD Constables for review.
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Some Major Offense violations as determined by administration will result in the permanent suspension of all bus riding privileges for the remainder of the student’s time in the district.
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The following examples are not all inclusive:
A. possession or use of a firearm, knife, or other weapon on a bus;
B. possession or use of alcohol, illegal drug or drug paraphernalia on the bus
C. Hitting or threatening a bus driver
Special Instructions for circumstances pertaining to: Discipline, On Board Bus Video and Guest Bus Riders:
A. If a bus rider is removed from the bus for the remainder of the first semester, and he/she receives another written referral, the student will be suspended from riding the bus for at least the remainder of the current school year.
B. Students caught vandalizing the school bus will be subject to the disciplinary action listed as well as paying the actual cost needed to repair the vandalism.
C. Students having lost their riding privilege for discipline on one bus may not ride any other L.I.S.D. bus. Students caught riding other buses while suspended will, at least, have the original suspension renewed.
D. Parents and/or legal guardians of bus riders should note that drivers are instructed not to hold conferences or try to solve discipline problems while the bus is in operation on the route. Parents having questions should call the director at the transportation office.
E. Most of our buses are equipped with video monitoring equipment. Drivers and transportation personnel periodically monitor actions of the riders by use of this video equipment. The Transportation Department may or may not inform drivers, students, or parents when video cameras are installed on buses and/or when the video is being reviewed. Students may receive a written discipline report after video is reviewed. A notation, such as: "As seen on video" will be used to indicate that the offense was captured on film.
F. Seating arrangements on buses are to be made by the bus driver and the Transportation Department. Students do not have the option to choose their seat if an assigned seat has been designated.
G. L.I.S.D. will make every effort to operate the bus fleet in a timely manner. Drivers take pride in being "on time" when loading and unloading bus riders at their homes. Events such as traffic, discipline problems, weather, etc., will vary the time of arrival and departure and cannot be avoided by the driver. L.I.S.D. drivers are trained during their certification courses to operate a bus safely. If unsafe conditions exist, then the driver will stop the bus and will not continue the route until a safe environment has been restored.
H. A student may ride a bus as a "guest" or "temporary" rider if the following criteria are met:
A written note from the parent or guardian requesting the action
Written note or phone call from the parent/guardian allowing the “guest” to be dropped at their home.
The signed note must be presented to the bus driver prior to boarding the bus as a "guest". Phone calls must be received by the Transportation Department. Temporary or guest riders are only granted access to ride if space is available on the host bus.
No groups will be allowed as “guests” due to the high numbers of regular riders our buses carry.