3541R School Bus Transportation Signature Page Appendix A

Middletown

Policy

School Bus Transportation Policy Sections I, II & Signature Form

Bus transportation is available, as required, for students attending the Middletown Public Schools. Schedules, which list the school, the bus number and stops, approved by the police department, are published in the local newspapers prior to the start of the new school year. Copies of the schedule are available at the Superintendent’s Office in Oliphant School.

Students who ride the school bus must understand that proper behavior is expected at all times. Bus transportation will be withdrawn from students who fail to observe the prescribed rules and regulations, herein listed, or who threaten the health or safety of other students or are discipline problems on the bus.

1. The driver is in full charge of the bus, monitors and students. Students must obey the driver and monitor promptly.

2. Students shall ride their regularly assigned bus at all times. They will board and leave the bus at their assigned stops unless permission has been granted by the appropriate school authorities to do otherwise.

3. Each student may be assigned a seat by the School Principal, or his/her designee and/or the driver or monitor.

4. Outside of ordinary conversation, classroom conduct must be observed. Abusive language, obscene gestures or fighting will not be tolerated.

5. Students are to assist in keeping the bus clean by keeping their wastepaper or other refuse off the floor. Students must also refrain from throwing refuse out of the windows. To help keep the bus clean, no food or drink is to be consumed on the bus.

6. No person shall smoke, light matches or light cigarette lighters on any school bus or at any school bus stop.

7. No person shall have possession of, consume, or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs on any school bus or at any school bus stop.

8. No student shall, at any time, extend his/her head, hands or arms out of the window, whether the school bus is in motion or standing still.

9. Students must have nothing in their possession that may cause injury to others.

10. Each student must keep his/her books and personal belongings out of the aisle.

11. No one other than the driver shall sit in the driver’s seat. No one shall be located to the immediate left or right of the door.

12. Students are to remain seated while the bus is in motion and are not to get on or off the bus until it has come to a full stop.

13. Students must leave the bus in an orderly manner. They must not cross the road until given permission by the school bus driver. When boarding or leaving the bus, students should be in view of the driver at all times.

14. Students must cross the road at least ten (10) feet in front of the school bus and never behind it.

15. Students must not stand or play in the roadway while waiting for the bus. Students should leave home early enough to arrive at the bus stop before the bus is due.

16. Self-discipline will be exercised by students at the bus loading area. Students will refrain from pushing and shoving other students.

17. Students walking to and from bus loading areas should use sidewalks where available.

18. In the event of an emergency, emergency exit procedures, as established by the emergency exit drills, will be followed.

19. Students should never chase after any item that has fallen under or in front of any school bus. Immediately notify the bus driver, monitor or teacher.

20. Parents of students causing damage to school buses will be held responsible for full statutory reimbursement. Parents will be afforded the opportunity to make restitution within ten (10) school days, after which a complaint will be filed in accordance with the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island.

21. No student shall throw anything at or within a school bus.

22. Students must not, in any way, interfere with the safe operation of the school bus.

23. Students in grades 4 through 8 will be seated by grade level, oldest in the back.

24. No high school student shall be allowed to ride on a K-8 bus.

25. All parents must sign off that they have read sections I and II of this policy.

1. School bus transportation is an extension of the school system. A student’s misconduct at a bus stop or on a bus will be sufficient reason to discontinue providing bus transportation to the student involved.

2. Violations of the Student Bus Code shall be reported to the Bus Company Manager, and shall in turn be reported to the appropriate Building Principal on standard form.

3. The Building Principal or his/her designee shall investigate the violation and, if substantiated, the Principal will proceed as stated in the Violation Section of this policy (see below):

4. Due process will be followed at all levels, including the right of appeal to the next level of authority.

5. Serious or extreme offenses of misconduct which endangers others on a bus may result in immediate suspension of bussing.

6. Principals shall maintain an independent administrative file of all actions dealing with disciplinary suspensions or warnings regarding transportation.

7. Principals will inform the person filing the report of such violation as to the action taken on the report.

The student shall be given a verbal warning for a first offense. If the violation is deemed to be one of a serious nature, one or more of the penalties listed in this section may be administered.

A letter will be sent home to parent and possible disciplinary action determined by principal or his/her designee.

Student suspended from transportation for five school days and conference with parent. Letter to parent and one or more of the penalties listed herein if the violation is determined to be a serious offense.

Mandatory parent conference and possible temporary suspension or termination of bus services.

Suspension of transportation and letter to parent.

Termination of bus services for remainder of school year.

PLEASE RETURN A COMPLETED FORM TO THE MAIN OFFICE.

Middletown Public Schools – Student Transportation Policy Signature Form

Please read this agreement carefully

Bus transportation is available, as required, for students attending the Middletown Public Schools. Students who ride the school bus must understand that proper behavior is expected at all times. Bus transportation will be withdrawn from students who fail to observe the prescribed rules and regulations or who threaten the health or safety of other students or are discipline problems on the bus.

School bus safety is everyone’s responsibility. Violations of school bus policy or motor vehicle laws and unsafe conditions should be reported to the proper authority. If you have questions concerning school bus policy or safety, contact your child’s Building Principal.

All students that ride the school bus must abide by all the rules and regulations of the Middletown Public Schools School Bus Transportation Policy. (The complete policy and details can be found at www.mpsri.net.) Sections I and II of the School Bus Transportation Policy are attached to this form. These sections must be read and reviewed with your child. Please sign this form and return to your child’s school indicating that this has been done.

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