026 – Progressive Discipline for Infractions on a School Bus

STWDSTS is committed to providing a safe, caring and inclusive environment for all students who are eligible for transportation to/from school. These students may continue to ride as long as they demonstrate and maintain appropriate and safe behaviour aboard their assigned vehicle.

Any infraction under 306(1) or 310(1) of the Education Act (as listed in levels 3 and 4 below )for which a transportation provider (school bus/taxi driver) becomes aware must be reported to the principal or designate at the earliest safe opportunity. A written report (Form TF017) must be completed when it is safe to do so and handed or sent via fax to the principal or designate.

Students who do not behave in an appropriate and safe manner may have their bus privileges suspended for a period of time or revoked. All offences outlined in Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 below will result in written or verbal contact with the parent/guardian.

The General Manager of STWDSTS at his/her sole discretion can revoke a student’s transportation privileges for their conduct on a school bus.

1. Spitting.
2. Making excessive noise.
3. Engaging in horseplay.
4. Eating or drinking on the bus.
5. Leaving his/her seat and standing up when the bus is moving.
6. Using water guns and laser pointers.
7. Swearing or using foul language; making obscene gestures or being in possession of inappropriate material.
8. Blocking the main aisle on the bus.
9. Boarding another bus without permission or boarding his/her own bus at a different stop.
10. Being disrespectful towards others.
11. Disobeying the bus driver (or monitor).
12. Committing other offences that could endanger safety on the school bus and for which the bus driver or school principal has already issued a warning.
13. Committing any offence aboard a bus that is not used for the student’s regular school transportation (activities, field trips, shuttle buses, etc.).
14. Sticking his/her hand out of the bus window.
15. Handling equipment aboard the bus, such as the emergency door handle at the back of the bus, etc.

Consequences may include the following:

As stated in the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct, the time spent travelling by school bus is an extension of the school day. Therefore, the principal is responsible for any disciplinary action levelled against a student.

Offences:

1. Sticking his/her head or another body part outside the bus.
2. Throwing objects inside or from the bus.
3. Committing assaults (using physical force against someone)
4. Hanging onto or trying to hang onto an external part of the bus.
5. Using matches or lighters, or lighting fireworks or a flammable object or substance.
6. Boarding or getting off the bus through the emergency door, without permission.
7. Constantly defying the person in authority
8. Committing other offences that could endanger safety on the school bus and for which the bus driver or school principal has already issued a warning.
9. Committing other offences that could endanger safety on the school bus and for which the bus driver or school principal has already issued a warning.

Consequences may include the following:

As stated in the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct, the time spent travelling by school bus is an extension of the school day. Therefore, the principal is responsible for any disciplinary action levelled against a student.

Offences:

1. Threatening to inflict serious bodily harm on someone.
2. Being in possession of alcohol or illicit drugs.
3. Being under the influence of alcohol.
4. Being rude to a person in a position of authority (bus driver, monitor).
5. Committing an act of vandalism causing serious damage to school property, either at school or on the bus (taking into account that time spent travelling by school bus is an extension of the school day) – the police may also be involved – compensation must be made before school bus transportation privileges can be restored.
6. Committing another act punishable by compulsory suspension in accordance with a School Board policy.

Consequences:

As stated in the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct, the time spent travelling by school bus is an extension of the school day. Therefore, the principal is responsible for any disciplinary action levelled against a student.

Offences:

1. Being in possession of a weapon, in particular a firearm.
2. Using a weapon to inflict bodily harm on someone or threatening to do so.
3. Committing a physical assault causing bodily harm requiring care by a health professional.
4. Committing a sexual assault.
5. Trafficking weapons or illicit drugs.
6. Committing robbery.
7. Committing another act punishable by compulsory expulsion in accordance with a School Board policy.

Consequences:

As stated in the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct, the time spent travelling by school bus is an extension of the school day. Therefore, the principal is responsible for any disciplinary action levelled against a student.