The Transportation Department is dedicated to providing safe and efficient transportation for students to and from school. It will help immensely if you would review and discuss the rules and discipline policies with your children and impress upon them the importance of their cooperation with the bus driver.
We believe the driver of a school bus has one of the most demanding and stressful jobs in the school system. He/she is the sole person involved with the control, the safety, and transportation of up to 70 students at one time, in all kinds of weather and road conditions. The last thing the driver needs is a distraction causing him/her to lose concentration, which could cause a major catastrophe.
Parents are encouraged to provide students with a book bag or backpack to store books and school items. It will help prevent the pupils from dropping loose items in front of, or on the side of the bus where the driver has limited sight.
When your child is not going to ride, please call 319-465-3000 ext. 5500 or notify a student who is picked up before your child so that they may tell the driver.
School Bus Rules:
1. Obey the Driver: The driver is the authority on the bus. All students riding the bus should respect the driver and obey any rules the driver feels necessary for the safety of the students. He has the authority to assign seats if necessary.
2. Sit in Your Seat: All students must remain seated while the bus is in motion. Keep feet out of the aisle and off the seats and back of seats. Head, hands, books, etc. should be kept inside the bus, not out the windows.
3. Keep Noise to a Minimum: Talk quietly only with students nearby and be sure to avoid unnecessary, disturbing noises (singing, yelling, etc.). Do not yell out the windows at passing persons or vehicles. Do not distract the driver while the bus is in motion.
4. Use Respectful Language: Profanity, name-calling, and disrespectful gestures will not be allowed. Please use your best manners.
5. Your Best Behavior: Students should remember they are still on school time and should use school manners. Throwing objects, horseplay, fighting, bothering others and any other activities that are distracting to the driver and others, is considered disruptive behavior.
6. You Pay for Damages: Treat your bus with respect. Any damage to a bus by a student, or students, will be billed to the parent or guardian and the student(s) will have bus privileges suspended.
7. No Tobacco, Drugs, Alcohol: This is a state law and should be obeyed at all times.
8. Be On Time: The driver will try to maintain the same schedule every day, so be ready when the bus comes.
9. No Eating, Drinking, Spitting: For students’ safety, they are asked to not eat or drink on the bus. Spitting of any kind is not allowed. PLEASE KEEP THE BUS CLEAN.
School Bus Discipline
Incident 1. Verbal Warning: The driver takes the student aside and tells him/her the next incident will result in a written reprimand.
Incident 2. Written Reprimand with Memo to Parents: A student conduct report will be filled out by the driver. The school principal will discuss the report with the student and inform the student that the next incident will result in a two-day suspension from riding the bus. There will also be a memo sent to the parents informing them of the action taken and suspension if another incident occurs.
Incident 3. Two-Day Suspension: The third occurrence results in a mandatory two-day suspension from riding the bus and formal communications between the principal and parents. Documentation will be made and kept.
Incident 4. Indefinite Suspension: The fourth occurrence will result in an indefinite suspension from riding the bus and a formal letter to parents. There will also be communication between the student, parents, and principal explaining the suspension.
Parents will be contacted by the principal, bus driver or the director of transportation, in case of a major occurrence on the bus such as throwing something at the driver, fighting, vandalism, lighting matches, etc. The driver shall inform the student when being dropped off that they will not be able to ride again until the incident has been reviewed.
* Student consequences may vary according to the violation.