Bus Ridership Conduct

BUS RIDERSHIP CONDUCT… 

It is the priority of the school and the district to ensure the safe and orderly transportation of our commuter students.  Since riding the bus to and/or from school is a privilege, all bus riding students will be held accountable for their conduct as it pertains to their transportation to and from school each day.  Parents/guardians can assist us to help keep their children safe on the bus by teaching and reinforcing appropriate conduct on the school bus.

The California Administrative Code, Title V, Section 14103 states:  “Pupils transported in a school bus or in a school pupil activity bus shall be under the authority of, and responsible directly to the driver of the bus, and the driver shall be held responsible for the orderly conduct of the pupils while they are on the bus or being escorted across a street, highway or road.  Continued disorderly conduct or persistent refusal to submit to the authority of the driver shall be sufficient reason for a pupil to be denied transportation.”   For more information, see District Procedure #5411 and #5415.

Bus drivers will write Bus Referrals for students who create unsafe conditions on the bus.  Some examples of student conduct that creates unsafe conditions include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Moving from seat to seat
  • Standing/walking while the bus is in motion
  • Hitting/kicking other students (horseplay)
  • Bullying other students/driver
  • Throwing objects
  • Obscene/vulgar language directed at the driver
  • Using profanity 
  • Not respecting the rights of others
  • Drinking or eating food
  • Using a cell phone
  • Jumping/exiting from the bus at the wrong stop
  • Fighting with another student/s
  • Obscene/sexual behavior
  • Hitting/spitting on the driver
  • Vandalism

Students who create or are a part of an unsafe and/or disorderly condition on the bus will be subject to a Bus Referral.  Bus Referrals are subject to disciplinary action, which may entail suspension of bus riding privileges.   Parents will always be notified when their child receives a Bus Referral.

Consequences for Bus Referrals (Per District Procedure 5411) :

First Referral: Generally only a warning, counseling of student; parent is informed.
Second Referral: 3 day suspension from riding the bus; parent is informed.
Third Referral: 5 day Suspension from riding the bus or on further field trips; parent is informed
Fourth Referral: 10 day Suspension from riding the bus or on any other field trips; parent is informed.
Fifth Referral: Suspension from the bus for the remainder of the semester; parent is informed.

Please note that some Bus Referrals will warrant an immediate suspension from the bus, regardless of the number of referrals a child has received.  

In the case of suspension, it is the responsibility of the student (and his or her parents or guardian) to provide transportation to and from school. It is NOT an excused absence if a student does not come to school due to a suspension from the bus. 
 
RIDING THE BUS IS A PRIVILEGE! 
PLEASE DO NOT ABUSE THAT PRIVILEGE.
EVERY STUDENT HAS THE RIGHT TO A SAFE BUS RIDE TO AND FROM SCHOOL!
 
 
Questions regarding Bus Ridership can be made to the following:
 
Danny Quixon                                                             
Guidance Assistant Ext. 110                      
 
Josie Ramirez                                  
Magnet Resource Teacher Ext. 211           
 
SDUSD Transportation Dept.
858-496-8460