Students shall follow all Safe Rider rules, policies and procedures while on a school bus and while at their designated bus stop location. The school bus is an integral part of each student rider’s educational day and is recognized as an extension of the classroom. It should be noted that riding a PCSD bus is a privilege for those students and parents that choose to utilize these services. It is not a right.

Category 1 - Bus Rules and Prohibited Behavior

• Insubordination (Failure to follow bus driver’s instructions, the first time)

• Distracting noise (yelling, screaming)

• Out of seat (changing seats, moving around the bus)

• Not maintaining assigned seat

• Not sitting properly

• Blocking aisle or emergency exits

• Disruptive or distracting behavior (horseplay, teasing, mischief)

• Littering

• Unapproved eating or drinking

• Profane, vulgar, or inappropriate language

• Harassment / verbally abusing others

• Obscene gestures

• False identification / refusal to identify oneself

• Utilizing unassigned bus or bus stop

• Inappropriate use of a mobile device

Discipline Matrix (Category 1 Behaviors) 

• 1st Offense – Driver Intervention & Parent Contacted (1st Courtesy Notice).

• 2nd Offense – Driver Intervention & Parent Contacted (2nd Courtesy Notice).

• 3rd Offense – 1st Behavior Referral submitted / Mandatory 3-day Bus Suspension

• 4th Offense – 2nd Behavior Referral submitted / Mandatory 5-day bus suspension

• 5th Offense – 3rd Behavior Referral submitted / Mandatory 10-day bus Suspension / Mandatory Conference with parent, student, and Transportation Director to discuss the possibility of losing bus privileges for the remainder of the year.  Riding privileges will not be reinstated until this conference is held.

• 6th Offense – 4th Behavior Referral submitted / Riding privileges are revoked for the remainder of the school year. (Note: If bus riding privileges are revoked in the last 20 operational days of school, the student will remain ineligible for bus service for the first semester of the following school year.)

Notes:

• Students losing riding privileges for the remainder of the year, during the last 20 operational days of school, will remain ineligible for bus services for the 1st semester of the following school term.

• The progressive disciplinary steps represent the minimum consequences for repeated unsafe behavior. At any time, a school administrator may choose to increase the level of disciplinary action, but it will not be lowered

Category 2 - Bus Rules and Prohibited Behavior

(Please Note: Certain levels of behavior and distraction on a school bus pose extreme safety risks. This level of behavior and distraction must be addressed and resolved immediately in order to mitigate thsee known risks and to ensure the safety of all riders. The following behaviors will result in the immediate loss of bus privileges. Parent courtesy notices and targeted interventions are not applicable to Category 2 behaviors.)

• Placing any body part outside of a bus window, while the bus is in motion.

• Throwing objects out of a bus window

• Throwing or “shooting” any object or projectile inside the bus

• Fighting

• Threats of violence against another person

• Displaying physical aggression against another person

• Inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature (consensual)

• Sexual Harassment (as defined in the PCSD code of conduct)

• Profanity directed towards bus personnel

• Extreme disrespect directed towards bus personnel

• Violence or threats of violence on or towards bus personnel

• Possession of a weapon

• Claiming to possess or a communicated threat to use a weapon

• Possession or use of tobacco, vaping devices, alcohol, illegal or unprescribed drugs and all other prohibited Items (as defined in the PCSD Code of Conduct)

• Possession of explosives or flammables

• Unapproved opening or attempt to open an emergency exit for non-emergency purposes

• Vandalism (Note: monetary restitution is required for all intentional damage to PCSD vehicles.)

• Danger Zone infringement (at bus stop)

• Open and willful insubordination to a bus driver’s verbal instructions

• Any other highly unsafe behavior as determined by the PCSD Transportation Department

• Any behavior defined under OCGA as a criminal offense

Discipline Matrix (Category 2) 

• 1st Offense – Parent Notified / Behavior Referral Submitted / Mandatory 5-day Bus Suspension

• 2nd Offense – Parent Notified / Behavior Referral submitted / Mandatory 10-day bus suspension

• 3rd Offense – Parent Notified / Behavior Referral Submitted / Bus riding privileges are revoked for the remainder of the school year. (Note: If bus riding privileges are revoked in the last 20 operational days of school, the student will remain ineligible for bus service for the first semester of the following school year.)

Notes:

• Students losing riding privileges for the remainder of the year, during the last 20 operational days of school, will remain ineligible for bus services for the 1st semester of the following school term.

• The progressive disciplinary steps represent the minimum consequences for repeated unsafe behavior. At any time, a school administrator may choose to increase the level of disciplinary action, but it will not be lowered.

Unsafe Behavior Prior to Departing a School

When unsafe or distracting behavior begins on the bus prior to the start of the afternoon route, it is very common for that behavior to continue for the duration of the bus route. When this occurs, is not uncommon for drivers to be required to return a student(s) to school.

In order to avoid schedule delays for other students, the following procedure will be maintained: If a student bus rider displays unsafe or defiant behavior, prior to the departing a school, following afternoon dismissal, the student will be provided with two options:

• Option (1): Immediately correct their behavior and/or comply with the bus driver’s instructions and remain on the bus for the ride home

• Option (2): If the student chooses to not comply with the driver’s instructions, they will be removed from the bus, prior to departure, and remain at school until such time a parent/guardian can transport the student home. Based on the nature of the behavior, the driver will follow the applicable “Safe Rider” reporting protocols.