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whe8913
Advanced Member
United States
301 Posts |
 Posted - 02/21/2005 : 7:53:34 PM
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This is my second year with the same route and I am starting to have some problems with the older students- 1) not sitting in their assigned seats, and 2) eating and drinking on the bus.
Can you other drivers give me some suggesstions concerning what you do in each of these situations? It is mostly jr. high and high school kids and they do not seem to give a crap that I give them chance after chance and do not want to have to refer them to a principal, BUT- The conduct code states they are to sit in their assigned seats and there is to be no eating/drinking AT ALL on district buses. I want my bus to be kept clean anyway. Most of all, I am fed up with their lack of respect for the policies, as well as their driver (me). Tomorrow I am thinking about stopping the bus just before I start letting off and do a random seat check. Anyone not in their assigned seats will be written up no questions asked. As for the food/drink issue, I already have 3 on the front seats for this for 2 weeks, but it is still a problem.
Thanks guys! |
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VAdriver
Senior Member
USA
135 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2005 : 06:31:47 AM
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| As long as you keep giving them chances they will continue to do as they please. If you resort to writing them up, then they will see that you are serious. |
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John Farr
Top Member
USA
642 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2005 : 07:30:18 AM
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JK and I have written volumes about what we feel is a better way to handle student misconduct.
IF your district permits, try calling parents of misbehaving students. Most will want their child to be a respectful and responsible member of society. Handled properly parents will be your best allies. Once word gets around that you actually called a parent, your credibility with students will soar!
Start the call by saying some positive things to parents about their child, followed by "I need your help..." Be sure to mention the need for an orderly school bus so that all students may receive the safest possible service. Distractions to the driver can compromise safety.
For more information go to:
http://schoolbusfleet.com/resources/Bus_DH.doc and click "bus driver."
This will give you a driver handbook template which includes more detail related to the student behavior management system descrbed above. |
Edited by - John Farr on 02/22/2005 07:32:30 AM |
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Jim
Top Member
USA
581 Posts |
Posted - 02/22/2005 : 2:21:28 PM
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Calling parents definitely helps. That's usually the way I handle things when a student starts getting out of line. And I always make it a point to tell the parent that I chose to call them instead of writing a discipline referral. I just think the more personal contact you have with the parents the better off things will be. Most appreciate it (I say most because we all know how some parents can be). I also tell them that the phone call is more of a "warning," and then if things don't improve, the discipline referrals will be written.
But getting back to the topic, it sounds as if you have given them more than enough warnings, and now is the time to start taking some action. |
Jim |
Edited by - Jim on 02/22/2005 2:22:59 PM |
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Busrepair2
New Member
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2005 : 1:06:20 PM
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| Whats your district policy on these issues? Are you to write them up, have them report to the principal, report to your supervisor? I am not saying that the advice you have gotten in this forum isn't any good but make sure you do not put yourself in a bad situation by contacting the parents. If your district does not think the drivers should contact the parents directly it is something that needs to be changed. I know the district I previously worked for had a concern of the drivers contacting parents without the board, superintendent, supervisors knowledge. My advice is to speak with your supervisor and (as always) document that conversation in writing. Then follow the supervisors recommendations. Good Luck. |
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discipline issues
