Code of Conduct

As per EIPS Administrative Procedure 351 Student Conduct on buses: The student’s responsibility is to conduct themselves in a manner that will not cause the bus driver to divert his/her attention from driving the bus. Action may be taken for student behavior and conduct when riding an EIPS school bus if the behavior is detrimental to the safe and caring environment of the bus.

BELIEFS

We believe:

• That everyone has the right to a safe and caring environment when riding the school bus;
• Students, parents, and bus operators share a responsibility to support and encourage student success.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Students shall:

• Follow safe boarding and exiting procedures;
• Scan their bus pass when boarding and exiting their assigned bus;
• Sit safely in their assigned seat;
• Be accountable for their conduct when waiting for, boarding, and riding the bus;
• Only bring items that can be held on their lap while enclosed inside a standard student backpack OR that can fit fully underneath the seat in front without protruding into the aisle, into the seat in front, or into the seat behind;
• Refrain from eating or drinking on school buses;
• Use electronic devices responsibly including not taking pictures, video, or audio recordings.

Parents shall:

• Be familiar with the bus rules and expectations of student behavior;
• Initiate and respond to communication with bus operators and student transportation staff and appropriate school personnel;
• Assist their children to be at their assigned bus stop 2-3 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time;
• Support student efforts to ensure students have a safe and caring environment.

Bus operators shall:

• Provide a positive and safe environment that supports students;
• Initiate and respond to communication with parents;
• Work with schools and student transportation to provide consistent behavior expectations for students;
• Ensure they demonstrate safe driving behavior.

CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT

Riding the school bus is a privilege. All normal school rules apply when riding and students are expected to follow the direction of the driver. Repeated or significant improper behavior on the bus will be dealt with by school administration and may result in suspension of riding privileges. To enhance the safe transportation of students, buses are equipped with video surveillance equipment.

Disciplinary steps may be progressive in nature and include one or more of the following:

• Verbal warning(s)
• Written warning (Student Conduct Form)
• One (1) to five (5) day suspension from bus privileges
• Recommendation for expulsion from EIPS transportation

The following behavior may result in a suspension or recommendation for expulsion from EIPS transportation:

• Open opposition to authority of bus operator and/or individuals employed by EIPS;
• Engaging in, but not limited to, improper, profane, or abusive language and gestures, fighting, and intimidation;
• Use or possession of tobacco, alcohol and/or controlled substance paraphernalia;
• Engaging in willful destruction of property or acts of vandalism;
• Acts of vandalism when reparation charges have been assessed but not repaid;
• Engaging in any dangerous or unsafe behavior;
• Riding the bus for any purpose while on suspension from school or the bus.

**Notwithstanding the above, the seriousness of the misbehavior may warrant immediate suspension or referral to the Board of Trustees on the first offense.