SWCS student transportation guidelines
Bus transportation is a service provided by the South-Western City Schools Board of Education and should be regarded as a privilege by students and parents. It is expected that those who ride the school buses will observe classroom conduct at all times.

NOTE: Guest passes will only be available if space allows.

Students and parents both must exercise these responsibilities.

Students

1. Students should follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Students are expected to observe classroom conduct at all times while on the bus (see Discipline Code).
3. Leave and board the bus at the designated stop unless you have a note signed by the building principal stating otherwise. This will be done only in emergencies, not for convenience.
4. Students are not to cross the street to enter or exit the bus until the driver motions them across.
5. Students must maintain absolute quiet at railroad crossings and other places of danger as specified by the driver.
6. Students are not permitted to bring on the bus items larger than those which can be held on the lap. Animals, glass, or liquids are not permitted (Ohio Revised Code 4511.76).

Parents

1. Parents are responsible for the safety and discipline of their children while going to and from the bus stop.
2. Parents are urged to have their children at the bus stop five minutes ahead of time as buses operate on a time schedule. This schedule will not permit waiting for tardy students. If your child's bus is more than 15 minutes late, contact the Transportation Department at 801-8550.
3. Parents will be monetarily responsible for any damage done to a bus by their children.
4. The school does not enter disputes involving parents and students before pickup or after return to the bus stop.
5. Please do not discuss bus problems with the driver while he/she is on the route. This delays the schedule of the bus. Call the Transportation Department at 801-8550.

Discipline
Proper conduct on a school bus is necessary to ensure the safety of students and the driver. When a student does not display proper conduct on a bus, suspension and/or expulsion from the bus can be the result of the misbehavior. School personnel will make every effort to protect the rights of the student through the use of due process procedures when suspension or expulsion is used.

Discipline Code

1. Bus stops: Improper behavior at bus stops, including physical aggressiveness and property destruction, will not be tolerated.
2. Seating: Pupils should go immediately to an assigned seat and remain seated at all times.
3. Obscene language/gestures/spitting: These will not be tolerated.
4. Objects: Heads, arms or legs must be kept inside the bus at all times; no objects are to be thrown on or outside the bus.
5. Fighting/pushing/tripping: these are not permitted at any time.
6. Tobacco/alcohol/drugs: The possession or tobacco in any form, alcohol or drugs will not be permitted on buses.
7. Food/drink: Eating and/or drinking on a bus is not permitted except as required for medical reasons.
8. Damage: A student shall not cause or attempt to cause damage to a school bus.

Discipline Procedure

1. First violation
   The student is warned by the driver. The student's name is recorded by the driver.
2. Second violation
   A written record is made by the driver. The parent will be notified. A student may be assigned a designated seat near the driver.
3. Third violation
   The principal is notified by the driver in writing. The principal can hold a conference with the driver, student, and/or parent. The principal can suspend the riding privilege for a designated period of time.
4. Continued violations
   The third violation process is repeated.

If an incident occurs on the bus which, according to the Student Code of conduct, calls for suspension from school, the Students Code of Conduct will take precedence. The student will be suspended from school.

A driver can request that a student be suspended from the bus for repeated minor misbehavior, such as refusal to follow directions.

Suspension sequence

1. First suspension
   Three days off the bus.
2. Second suspension
   Five days off the bus.
3. Third suspension
   Ten days off the bus.
4. Fourth suspension
   Suspension from the bus for the remainder of the semester.
5. Severe clause
   A severe incident could result in immediate suspension from the bus.

Suspension appeal
A parent/guardian of a student wishing to appeal a bus suspension may do so by contacting the building principal within 24 hours.