Student Behavior on Buses

Student Behavior Policy

The Pupil Transportation Branch actively supports the Cincinnati Public Schools' Positive School Culture Plan and district Code of Conduct.

Pupil behavior that distracts the Yellow school bus or Metro bus driver is hard (edit) to the safe operation of the bus and jeopardizes the safety and welfare of all passengers. Misbehavior while on the yellow school or Metro bus can result in suspension of the student or the transportation services to the student.

All buses are equipped with video camera equipment to assist in monitoring student behavior. To ensure safe, efficient transportation service, students are asked to follow these rules:

Pupils should arrive at bus stops before the buses are scheduled to arrive.
Pupils must wait in locations clear of traffic and away from the bus stops.
Behavior at school bus stops must not threaten life, limb or property of any individual.
Pupils must go directly to available or assigned seats so the buses may safely resume motion.
Pupils must remain seated, keeping aisles and exits clear.
Pupils must observe classroom conduct and obey the drivers promptly and respectfully.
Pupils must not use profane language
Pupils must refrain from eating and drinking on buses, except as required for medical reasons.
Pupils must not use tobacco or any other smoking agents on buses.
Pupils may not have alcohol or drugs in their possession, except for required prescription medication
Pupils must not throw or pass objects on, from or into buses.
Pupils may carry on the bus only objects that can be held in their laps.
Pupils must board or leave at assigned locations, unless they have parental and administrative authorization to do otherwise.
Pupils must not put heads, arms or legs outside of bus windows.

Bus drivers will complete a School Bus Conduct Report. This report will be entered into our database and forwarded to the student's school administrator(s) for the student(s) failing to comply with behavior rules.

The school administrator is responsible for ensuring that students follow the district's Code of Conduct and investigating behavior problems that occur while pupils are en route to and from school. The school administrator has the authority to suspend a student's bus riding privilege on a temporary or permanent basis. The Director of Transportation can suspend a student's bus riding privilege on a temporary or permanent basis if the safety of others is jeopardized.

The following serious safety infractions will cause a student to be immediately removed from bus service for the remainder of the school year:

Threatening behavior
Possession of weapons/objects used as a weapon
Jumping out window/emergency exit
Tampering with bus equipment

Investigation of Pupil Misconduct

The principal is primarily responsible for investigating behavior problems which occur while the pupils are en route to and from school. The principal or designees may conduct an investigation of the pupil(s) involved in bus problems.

Bus Suspension Procedure for the School Year

The Pupil Management Plan is effective throughout the entire school year. Bus suspensions may extend across grading quarters. A suspension from riding a bus is not a suspension from school. Parents must arrange other transportation to and from school, while the pupil’s bus privileges are suspended.

Informal Conference or Hearing

To protect the individual interest of the pupil before disciplinary action which might result in the suspension of the pupil’s bus riding privileges, the principal or his/her designee may arrange an informal hearing. A pupil shall be informed and be made aware of the charges against him/her and why disciplinary action is necessary.

A pupil shall be given the opportunity to admit or deny the violation or to explain his/her conduct. Whenever it becomes necessary to deny transportation to a pupil, the respective principal or his/her designee shall contact the parent or legal guardian within 24 hours of any disciplinary action taken. The school will make a student entry into the Student Discipline Program (including the effective dates of the transportation suspension) which will then be forwarded to the bus company. The suspension of riding privileges takes effect immediately or when stated by the principal. The school bus driver cannot suspend a student.

Video Cameras on the Bus

Video cameras have been installed on our yellow buses to provide the best possible care, welfare, safety and security of our students to and from home. These videos are the property of the buse vendor but given to Cincinnati Public Schools upon request by a principal to view. Due to confidentiality issues, parents are not permitted to view the video.

Incidents Involving the Police

When incidents occur that require the police to be involved, either to remove a student from a bus or to restore order, the following procedure will be followed:

Students will be removed for the following infractions: fighting, weapons, drugs or other illegal activities.
Students will be suspended immediately from future bus service pending a conference to be held at the school, including all students involved in the bus incident, their parents, the school administrator handling bus discipline, and a representative from the bus vendor.
At the end of the conference, disciplinary action will be implemented and a plan of action developed to prevent any future incidents.

Remember, while pupils are being transported, the school bus driver is responsible for supervision.

Usual Sequence of Actions

First School Bus Incident Report	Mailed to Parent
Second School Bus Incident Report	Mailed to Parent
Third School Bus Incident Report	Bus riding privileges are suspended for (3) school days or equivalent disciplinary action.
Fourth School Bus Incident Report	Bus riding privileges are suspended for (5) school days or equivalent disciplinary action.
Fifth School Bus Incident Report	Bus riding privileges suspended for (10) school days or equivalent disciplinary action
Over Five School Incident Reports	Parent Conference to determine

Put name and address tags on younger students with your work and home telephone numbers. You may want to put them inside of clothing or book bag
If your child is written up on an Incident Report, discuss the infraction and encourage your child to do better. Each regulation has specific and significant meaning for safe transportation.
If a child is suspended from the bus by the principal, it is the parent’s responsibility to provide transportation.

CPS Access Pupil Transportation Office. 2651 Burnet Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
513-363-RIDE [7433]