Review: transportation discipline policy
(09/15/20) The following rules and regulations have been adopted by the Anoka-Hennepin District School Board, adopted August 2020. It is hoped that these guidelines will help us to provide safe transportation to and from school for your student. Students should be at the bus stop no more than five minutes prior to the scheduled time. As per MN Statute 121A.59 “Riding a school bus is a privilege, not a right.”
Resources:
Discipline policy
Students who have the opportunity to ride district school buses may do so as long as they display behavior that is reasonable and safe. Choosing to engage in unacceptable behavior will result in loss of bus service. The bus driver is responsible for the safety and discipline of students on the bus. The building principal is available to give assistance to the driver and will determine the consequences of misbehavior and the reinstatement of bus service for the offending student(s) should a suspension become necessary. A suspension applies to all buses unless otherwise designated by school officials. The responsibility for student supervision by the district shall begin when the student boards the bus in the morning and is retained until the child leaves the bus at the end of the day; or until released to the parent/guardian in a manner consistent with guidelines on release of students.
Transportation of school-related/non-related items
Under the Laws and Rules for the Operation of School Buses in the State of Minnesota, it is stated: “. . . no materials, including: guns, loaded or unloaded; gasoline cans, empty or full; animals or any other object of a dangerous or objectionable nature are transported in the school bus when children are being transported.” The use of digital or video photography, including cell phone photography, is strictly prohibited on the bus. Band instruments that will be allowed on the bus are those that are small enough to be held on the student’s lap. Instruments may not be in the aisle or take the space of a student.
Large recreational equipment is not allowed on route buses. This includes but is not limited to, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, golf clubs and sleds. Some items may be allowed on a regular bus ONLY if they are inaccessible or are enclosed in an athletic-type bag. Ice skates, skate shoes, skateboards, inline skates and bats are some of the items included in this group. Damage to personal items is not covered under the insurance policies of either the bus company or the school district.
Any offense committed on any bus outside of regular transportation to and from school (activity, field trip, shuttles, etc.) will carry the same consequences listed below.
Assigned buses only
Students are assigned to buses and bus stops. No change in either bus or stop is permitted without transportation department authorization. Temporary changes may be made by school administrators for authorized emergencies only.
Failure to ride the assigned bus from the assigned bus stop may jeopardize the safety of students and may result in disciplinary action.
Behavior guidelines and consequences (pre-K through fifth grades)
CLASS I OFFENSES
- Spitting.
- Excessive noise.
- Horseplay/mischief/distracting behavior.
- Eating/drinking/littering on bus.
- Leaving seat/standing without permission from driver.
- Use of liquid containers in any form.
- Profanity, verbal abuse, harassment, obscene gestures or possession of unacceptable material.
- False identification/refusal to identify oneself.
- Riding unassigned bus or using unassigned bus stop.
- Opening window past safety line.
- Riding or attempting to ride any bus during a bus suspension.
- Disobedient to the driver/para-educator/bus patrol.
- Inappropriate cell phone use.
- Other offenses as reported by the driver or principal.
CLASS II OFFENSES
- Any body part outside of window.
- Throwing/shooting of any object.
- Bullying and/or physical aggression against any person.
- Profanity/threats directed toward bus driver/para-educator.
- Possession/use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes or any controlled substance.
- Vandalism to bus (restitution will be made).
- Holding onto or attempting to hold onto any portion of the exterior of the bus or any “Danger Zone” infringement.
- Lighting of matches, lighters or any flammable object or substance.
- Unauthorized entering or leaving bus through emergency door/tampering with bus equipment.
- Possession or threat of weapons/explosives/ flammables.
- Other offenses as reported by the driver or principal.
- Possession/use of laser pens or pointers.
CONSEQUENCES
CLASS I
- First offense: warning or one to five days suspension.
- Second offense: one to 10 days suspension.
- Third offense: five to 10 day minimum suspension; possible loss of all bus service; parent/principal meeting (optional).
- Fourth offense: possible loss of transportation services.
CLASS II
- First offense: up to five days suspension.
- Second offense: up to 10 days suspension.
- Third offense: 10 day minimum suspension; possible loss of all bus service; parent/principal meeting (optional).
- Fourth offense: possible loss of transportation services.
Notes:
- The bus and the bus stop are extensions of the school day.
- Bus and bus stop consequences may be superceded by district policy.
- The bus driver has the authority to assign seats.
- The sexual/racial/religious harassment policy, the weapons policy, and bullying policy of the district will be strictly enforced on the school bus as well as at school.
- Video cameras will be used on all school buses.
Behavior guidelines and consequences (sixth through 12th grades)
CLASS I OFFENSES
- Spitting.
- Excessive noise.
- Horseplay/mischief/distracting behavior.
- Eating/drinking/littering on bus.
- Leaving seat/standing without permission from driver.
- Use of liquid containers in any form.
- Profanity, verbal abuse, harassment, obscene gestures or possession of unacceptable material.
- False identification/refusal to identify oneself.
- Riding unassigned bus or using unassigned bus stop.
- Opening window past safety line.
- Riding or attempting to ride any bus during a bus suspension.
- Disobedient to the driver/para-educator/bus patrol.
- Inappropriate cell phone use.
- Other offenses as reported by the driver or principal.
CLASS II OFFENSES
- Any body part outside of window.
- Throwing/shooting of any object.
- Bullying and/or physical aggression against any person.
- Profanity/threats directed toward bus driver/para-educator.
- Possession/use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes or any controlled substance.
- Vandalism to bus (restitution will be made).
- Holding onto or attempting to hold onto any portion of the exterior of the bus or any “Danger Zone” infringement.
- Lighting of matches, lighters or any flammable object or substance.
- Unauthorized entering or leaving bus through emergency door/tampering with bus equipment.
- Possession or threat of weapons/explosives/ flammables.
- Other offenses as reported by the driver or principal.
- Possession/use of laser pens or pointers.
CONSEQUENCES
CLASS I
- First offense: warning or one to five days suspension.
- Second offense: one to 10 days suspension.
- Third offense: five to 10 day minimum suspension; possible loss of all bus service; parent/principal meeting (optional).
- Fourth offense: possible loss of transportation services.
CLASS II
- First offense: up to five days suspension.
- Second offense: up to 10 days suspension.
- Third offense: 10 day minimum suspension; possible loss of all bus service; parent/principal meeting (optional).
- Fourth offense: possible loss of transportation services.
Notes:
- The bus and the bus stop are extensions of the school day.
- Bus and bus stop consequences may be superceded by district policy.
- The bus driver has the authority to assign seats.
- The sexual/racial/religious harassment policy, the weapons policy, and bullying policy of the district will be strictly enforced on the school bus as well as at school.
- Video cameras will be used on all school buses.