School Bus Handbook

Our Mission

Provide effective learning experiences inspiring all students to fully develop their potentialities.

Butte Public Schools will create, in partnership with our staff, families and com- munity, challenging opportunities for all students to be successful as they become responsible and contributing citizens, and master the knowledge and skills essential for life-long learning in our changing and diverse world.

Our Vision

Butte Public School will create a progressive, educational environment in which each day, each student achieves success in a safe, positive, supportive and orderly learning environment.

Our Beliefs and Values

– A safe and caring environment will exist in all schools

– Education will be a primary responsibility and investment of society.

– Butte School District No. 1 staff members are valued. Staff members will be involved in professional growth and development activities.

– Students’ self-esteem is important; they will feel valued as human beings and successful as learners.

– All students will learn to become responsible partners in their education and contributing members of their community.

– Students will develop a foundation of technological knowledge that will en- able them to access, use and evaluate information.

– Cultural and social diversity are strengths – feelings and beliefs of others will be respected.

Parents Responsibility

Help your child to be a responsible bus student. Help them be ten minutes early and take the safest route to and from the bus stop.
Help them learn the bus rules and explain the importance of following them, stressing that their safety is involved.
Get to know your child’s bus driver, and let the driver know of any problems concerning the transport of your child.
Please see that your child is properly clothed for bad weather. Bright clothes are better for safety in all weather conditions.
Remember there are always two sides to every problem. If your child is disciplined or suspended, try to be helpful and listen to both sides.
Rules are there to assist the driver in delivering your child safety to and from school; that is why all rules must be obeyed.
Parents/Guardian/Designee are required to take and meet their kindergarten children to their bus stop. Children not met at the stop will be returned to the school.

Students Responsibility

Obey the driver, talk quietly, and listen carefully. Your safety and the safety of all other students are in the driver’s hands. Distractions can cause accidents. The driver must be able to hear all traffic noises, especially at railroad crossings. Cell phone use and other electronic devices are acceptable per District Policy.
Always be early for the bus (preferably five minutes prior to the scheduled time for your stop). Delays cause others to wait longer. Wait quietly off the road, and don’t cross until the bus arrives.
The Board has authorized the use of video cameras on District buses to ensure the health, welfare and safety of all staff and students, and to safeguard District facilities and equipment. You may be riding a bus equipped with a video camera. Video recordings may become a part of a student’s educational record, in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws related to record retention, and School District Policy #3235.
Upon boarding the bus, walk to your seat and quickly sit down. Roughhousing, moving, and general disturbances are nonacceptable behaviors. Sit quietly in your seat, holding all of your belongings. Stay out of aisles after boarding- including legs and feet! Never move around while the bus is in motion.
No animals of any kind are allowed on the bus. Limited size school projects may be brought to school and returned back home. When in doubt, ask the driver prior to attempting to board the bus.
Eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum or tobacco is not allowed. Sharp objects of any kind, lighters, and matches are not allowed. When a student does any damage to the bus, the parent will be responsible for reimbursement of repair costs. Littering on the bus will not be acceptable.
If there would be an emergency, do not leave the bus. Stay calm, remain seated, and listed to the driver for instructions.
When there is bad weather, listen to your local radio stations for reports on school buses.
Drivers will not discharge bus students at places other than their regular stops of home and school, except with proper authorization, which has been coordinated between the parents and the Transportation Department. When pals are to ride it must be coordinated in advance between the parents and the Transportation Department.

NOTE: Follow the above rules and the trip will be pleasant for everyone. Remember, in the interest of safety, bus privileges can be suspended.

(K – 6) Student Management Policy

Class 1 Offenses

Failure to follow directions from Driver
Failure to load/unload at assigned bus stop
Eating, chewing gum or drinking while on bus
Throwing any item in or out of the bus
The use of profanity, derogatory language, name calling or inappropriate gestures
Not sitting properly in bus seat, or changing seats without permission from the driver
Placing any part of the body out the window of the bus.
Rude and Disrespectful Behavior
Any behavior that is disruptive to the safety of the bus

1st Offense………..Warning notice (Conduct Slip) issued.

2nd Offense ………3 day suspension from all buses. Conduct slip issued. Parent called by Transportation Department.

3rd Offense……….5 day suspension from all buses. Conduct slip issued. Parent called by Transportation Department.

4th Offense……….Immediate suspension of all bus privileges until meeting with Parent/Guardian to determine further corrective action. Parent called Transportation Department.

Fourth Bus Conduct Slip:

Students will be suspended from bus privileges until a conference can be conducted that includes the school principal, the Director of Transportation, the regular bus driver, and the parent or guardian and the child.

NOTE: Coordination of the above mentioned conference will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Class II Offenses

Causing harm, injury or threat of harm to any bus passenger.
Harassment of the Bus Driver or any bus passenger.

1st Offense...Warning notice (Conduct Slip) issued. Parent called by Driver

2nd Offense……..3 day suspension from all buses. Conduct notice issued. Parent called by Transportation Department.

3rd Offense………8 day suspension from all buses. Conduct notice issued. Parent called by Transportation Department.

4th Offense…..…Immediate suspension of all bus privileges until meeting with Parent/Guardian to determine further corrective action. Parent called by Transportation Department.

Class III Offenses

Intentional damage to any part of the bus. This includes damage to seats. Parent/Guardian held responsible for cost of repair/replacement before transportation will resume.
The use of matches, lighters (any incendiary device) on the bus.
Possession or use of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia.
The use or display of a knife, box cutter, or any similar device.
Unjustified activation of any of the vehicles emergency systems.

1st Offense….…20 day suspension from all buses. School Resource Officer contacted by Transportation Department.

2nd Offense…...Immediate suspension of all bus privileges until meeting with Parent/Guardian to determine further corrective action. School Resource Officer called Transportation Department.

Class VI Offenses

The possession of a firearm or destructive device.

1st Offense … Suspension from all buses for 1 calendar year. School Resource Officer contacted by Transportation Department

(7 – 12) Student Management Policy

Class 1 Offenses

Failure to follow directions from Driver
Failure to load/unload at assigned bus stop
Eating, chewing gum or drinking while on bus
Throwing any item in or out of the bus
The use of profanity, derogatory language, name calling or inappropriate gestures
Not sitting properly in bus seat, or changing seats without permission from the driver
Placing any part of the body out the window of the bus.

1st Offense………..Warning notice (Conduct Slip) issued. Parent called by Driver

2nd Offense ………5 day suspension from all buses. Conduct slip issued. Parent called by Transportation Department.

3rd Offense……….8 day suspension from all buses. Conduct slip issued. Parent called by Transportation Department.

4th Offense……….Immediate suspension of all bus privileges until meeting with Parent/Guardian to determine further corrective action. Parent called by Transportation Department.

Fourth Bus Conduct Slip:

NOTE: Coordination of the above mentioned conference will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Class II Offenses

Causing harm, injury or threat of harm to any bus passenger.
Harassment of the Bus Driver or any bus passenger.

1st Offense.......5 day suspension from all buses. Conduct notice issued. Parent called Transportation Department.

2nd Offense……..15 day suspension from all buses. Conduct notice issued. Parent called by Transportation Department. School Resource Officer contacted by Management.

3rd Offense………Immediate suspension of all bus privileges until meeting with Parent/Guardian to determine further corrective action. Parent called by Transportation Department.

Class III Offenses

Intentional damage to any part of the bus. This includes damage to seats. Parent/Guardian held responsible for cost of repair/replacement before transportation will resume.
The use of matches, lighters (any incendiary device) on the bus.
Possession or use of cigarettes, chewing tobacco, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia.
The use or display of a knife, box cutter, or any similar device.
Unjustified activation of any of the vehicles emergency systems.

1st Offense….…20 day suspension from all buses. School Resource Officer contacted by Transportation Department.

2nd Offense…...Immediate suspension of all bus privileges until meeting with Parent/Guardian to determine further corrective action. School Resource Officer contacted by Transportation Department.