Any misconduct by a student, which, in the opinion of the bus driver or transportation management, is detrimental to the safe operation of the bus or the safety of other students on the bus, shall be sufficient cause to suspend transportation privileges. The following are basic expectations of acceptable bus behavior:

1. Follow the bus driver's directions the first time they are given.
2. Respect yourself and others' space and property.
3. Talk in a quiet voice.
4. Keep your hands and feet to yourself and stay seated at all times the bus is moving.
5. Make safe choices for yourself and the safety of others.

Student passengers are expected to conduct themselves as follows when loading, unloading, and riding a school bus.

• Students are to be at their designated bus stop five (5) minutes before pick-up time.
• At the bus stop, while waiting for the bus, students are to stay off the traveled portion of the roadway and respect private property.
• Students are to cross the street in front of the bus and not behind it, and only when the driver signals it is safe to do so.
• Students going to and from their bus stops where there are no sidewalks shall walk on the left-hand side of the roadway facing oncoming traffic or, as often found in non-sidewalk areas, on the best side of the road.
• Students shall get on/off the bus in an orderly manner and shall obey the instructions of the driver or school safety patrolman on duty. There shall be no pushing or shoving when boarding or leaving the bus.
• Once off the bus, students shall adhere to the rules for pedestrians.

• Upon entering the bus, students are to go directly to their seats, sit down facing forward, with their feet out of the aisle, and remain seated.
• Students shall not be permitted to sit in the driver's seat or in the immediate right or left of the driver. Students are under the supervision of the bus driver and must obey the driver at all times. In so doing, they shall conduct themselves in a manner that will not distract the driver and not disturb other riders on the bus.
• Each student may be assigned a seat by the bus driver, in which he/she will be seated at all times unless permission to change has been given by the driver.
• Students are to ride only their regularly assigned bus and leave the bus at their regular stop. To ride another bus or get off at a different stop requires written permission in the form of an official bus pass issued by the student's home school office.
• In the interest of the physical safety of the students involved and the cleanliness of the bus, students shall not eat or drink on the bus, except at the driver's and advisor's discretion while on field trips and sports activities.
• Students should open bus windows only if the driver gives permission. Hands, heads, legs, etc., are to be kept inside the bus at all times. No objects are to be thrown or passed through open windows or doors.
• Student conduct on buses shall be the same as the standards for student conduct in the classroom and other school-sponsored activities.
• Any student sitting in a seat that is equipped with lap belts must use them.
• Students shall not tamper with emergency doors or equipment and shall follow the emergency exit drill procedure as prescribed by the driver (WAC 393-040 and 045).
• Students identified as causing damage to buses shall be charged for the incurred damage. Students causing damage may be suspended from transportation privileges.
• Student misconduct shall constitute sufficient reason for suspending transportation privileges.

Disciplinary Procedures

The Bus Driver and Transportation Management will follow a progressive discipline procedure for dealing with students who do not follow bus-rider rules. If the violation is of such a serious nature that it would cause danger or unlawful action toward the driver or students, the violation may result in immediate loss of bus riding privileges, plus notification of the parent/guardian, the building principal, and, if necessary, the appropriate legal agency.

Open lines of communication will be maintained and encouraged among students, bus drivers, transportation supervisors, school officials, and parents/guardians.

Progressive Discipline

Middle and Senior High School:

1. The driver will talk and work with the student, possibly assigning a seat or separating from a problem area or other student(s).
2. The driver will call parents and explain the unacceptable behavior that is occurring and how the driver has worked with the student in an attempt to correct the unacceptable behavior. The driver will ask for assistance and suggestions from the parent. At this time, parents should also be told that the behavior must improve, or bus privileges may be lost.
3. 1st Referral: Driver will write Referral, call the parent notifying the parent of the problem, and telling them the Referral will be brought home by their child. The driver will also tell the parent when their child will have bus privileges suspended and will notify the parent by mail of the dates. The signed Referral will be returned to the driver. Transportation processes referral and sends a letter home to parents indicating the student is off the bus for up to two school days. The letter includes dates of bus suspension and a phone number of the transportation office, should there be any questions or possible adjustments to the dates of the bus suspension. A copy of all referrals and letters will be sent to the appropriate school.
4. 2nd Referral: Same procedure as 1st Referral, including a required phone call by the driver, and bus privileges will be lost for up to 5 school days.
5. 3rd Referral: Same procedure as 1st and 2nd Referrals, except bus privileges will be lost for up to 10 school days, and a warning will be given in a letter notifying parents that continued violations may result in a longer or permanent suspension of bus privileges.

Serious offenses, including fighting, flagrant displays of disrespect toward a driver, or possession of drugs or alcohol, will result in the immediate loss of bus privileges for a minimum of five (5) school days. Assault on a bus driver will result in indefinite suspension of bus riding privileges and possible criminal charges. These and all other displays of exceptional misconduct are covered in District Policy 3300.1.2, Exceptional Misconduct

Dangerous conduct that threatens the safety of the driver and students will result in immediate suspension. Notification will be by phone or the appropriate police authorities.

Elementary School:

1. The driver will talk and work with the student, possibly assigning a seat or separating them from a problem area or other student(s).
2. The driver will call parents and explain the unacceptable behavior that is occurring on the bus and how the driver has worked with the student in an attempt to correct the unacceptable behavior. The driver will ask for assistance and suggestions from the parent. At this time, parents should also be told that the behavior must improve, or bus privileges may be lost in the future should the child receive a 3rd Referral.
3. 1st Referral: Driver will write Referral, call the parent notifying the parent of the problem, and tell them the referral will be brought home by their child. The student takes the Referral home and returns it, signed by the parent, to the bus driver. Should the Referral not be returned, the driver shall call the parent and advise his/her supervisor, and the student's principal.
4. 2nd Referral: Follow the same procedure as 1st Referral.
5. 3rd Referral: Follow the same procedure as 1st and 2nd Referrals, except the 3rd Referral will generate a letter home to parents denying bus privileges for 3 days. The driver will call the parent, telling them of the 3rd Referral and the bus suspension letter notifying them of the bus suspension. The letter will include dates of bus suspension and the phone number of the transportation office, should there be any questions or possible adjustments to the dates of the bus suspension.

Serious offenses, including fighting, flagrant displays of disrespect toward a driver, or possession of drugs or alcohol, will result in immediate loss of bus privileges for a minimum of five (5) school days. Assault on a bus driver will result in indefinite suspension of bus riding privileges and possible criminal charges. These and all other displays of exceptional misconduct are covered in District Policy 3300, Exceptional Misconduct.

Dangerous conduct that threatens the safety of the driver and students will result in immediate suspension. Notification will be by phone or the appropriate police authorities.

Appeal Procedure

1. Within 24 hours of receipt of the citation, the student and/or parents/guardians may appeal the bus driver citation to the Transportation Director at cgrasseth@wahksd.k12.wa.us.  The Transportation Director may review the case, request witnesses, and meet with all parties concerned.
2. If not satisfied with the Step 1 appeal, the student and/or parents/guardians may appeal, in writing, to the Principal at the student's respective school within 24 hours of the appeal decision.  Within 72 hours, the Principal shall render a decision.
3. The decision may be appealed, in writing, to the Superintendent within 48 hours of the receipt of the Level 2 appeal.  The Superintendent shall review the appeal and render a decision within 5 days.  The Superintendent's decision will be final.

• All forms of animal life (except seeing-eye dogs),
• Firearms, weapons (including, but not limited to knives), (RCW 9.41.250-9.41.280),
• Breakable containers (glass bottles, aquariums, etc.),
• Flammables (including, but not limited to, matches, lighters, tobacco of any sort)
• Any article that could adversely affect the safety of the bus and passengers.
• Personal items allowed on the bus shall be limited to only those items that can be contained in the student's personal seating space.
• Large musical instruments that cannot be held on the student's lap or between the student's legs, i.e., trombone.

The Bus Driver and Transportation Management will follow a progressive discipline procedure for dealing with students who do not follow bus-rider rules. If the violation is of such a serious nature that it would cause danger or unlawful action toward the driver or students, the violation may result in immediate loss of bus riding privileges, plus notification of the parent/guardian, the building principal, and, if necessary, the appropriate legal agency.

Open lines of communication will be maintained and encouraged among students, bus drivers, transportation supervisors, school officials, and parents/guardians.

Middle and Senior High School:

1. The driver will talk and work with the student, possibly assigning a seat or separating from a problem area or other student(s).
2. The driver will call parents and explain the unacceptable behavior that is occurring and how the driver has worked with the student in an attempt to correct the unacceptable behavior. The driver will ask for assistance and suggestions from the parent. At this time, parents should also be told that the behavior must improve, or bus privileges may be lost.
3. 1st Referral: Driver will write Referral, call the parent notifying the parent of the problem, and telling them the Referral will be brought home by their child. The driver will also tell the parent when their child will have bus privileges suspended and will notify the parent by mail of the dates. The signed Referral will be returned to the driver. Transportation processes referral and sends a letter home to parents indicating the student is off the bus for up to two school days. The letter includes dates of bus suspension and a phone number of the transportation office, should there be any questions or possible adjustments to the dates of the bus suspension. A copy of all referrals and letters will be sent to the appropriate school.
4. 2nd Referral: Same procedure as 1st Referral, including a required phone call by the driver, and bus privileges will be lost for up to 5 school days.
5. 3rd Referral: Same procedure as 1st and 2nd Referrals, except bus privileges will be lost for up to 10 school days, and a warning will be given in a letter notifying parents that continued violations may result in a longer or permanent suspension of bus privileges.

Serious offenses, including fighting, flagrant displays of disrespect toward a driver, or possession of drugs or alcohol, will result in the immediate loss of bus privileges for a minimum of five (5) school days. Assault on a bus driver will result in indefinite suspension of bus riding privileges and possible criminal charges. These and all other displays of exceptional misconduct are covered in District Policy 3300.1.2, Exceptional Misconduct

Dangerous conduct that threatens the safety of the driver and students will result in immediate suspension. Notification will be by phone or the appropriate police authorities.

Elementary School:

1. The driver will talk and work with the student, possibly assigning a seat or separating them from a problem area or other student(s).
2. The driver will call parents and explain the unacceptable behavior that is occurring on the bus and how the driver has worked with the student in an attempt to correct the unacceptable behavior. The driver will ask for assistance and suggestions from the parent. At this time, parents should also be told that the behavior must improve, or bus privileges may be lost in the future should the child receive a 3rd Referral.
3. 1st Referral: Driver will write Referral, call the parent notifying the parent of the problem, and tell them the referral will be brought home by their child. The student takes the Referral home and returns it, signed by the parent, to the bus driver. Should the Referral not be returned, the driver shall call the parent and advise his/her supervisor, and the student's principal.
4. 2nd Referral: Follow the same procedure as 1st Referral.
5. 3rd Referral: Follow the same procedure as 1st and 2nd Referrals, except the 3rd Referral will generate a letter home to parents denying bus privileges for 3 days. The driver will call the parent, telling them of the 3rd Referral and the bus suspension letter notifying them of the bus suspension. The letter will include dates of bus suspension and the phone number of the transportation office, should there be any questions or possible adjustments to the dates of the bus suspension.

Serious offenses, including fighting, flagrant displays of disrespect toward a driver, or possession of drugs or alcohol, will result in immediate loss of bus privileges for a minimum of five (5) school days. Assault on a bus driver will result in indefinite suspension of bus riding privileges and possible criminal charges. These and all other displays of exceptional misconduct are covered in District Policy 3300, Exceptional Misconduct.

Dangerous conduct that threatens the safety of the driver and students will result in immediate suspension. Notification will be by phone or the appropriate police authorities.

1. Within 24 hours of receipt of the citation, the student and/or parents/guardians may appeal the bus driver citation to the Transportation Director at transportation@masd209.org.  The Transportation Director may review the case, request witnesses, and meet with all parties concerned.
2. If not satisfied with the Step 1 appeal, the student and/or parents/guardians may appeal, in writing, to the Principal at the student's respective school within 24 hours of the appeal decision.  Within 72 hours, the Principal shall render a decision.
3. The decision may be appealed, in writing, to the Superintendent within 48 hours of the receipt of the Level 2 appeal.  The Superintendent shall review the appeal and render a decision within 5 days.  The Superintendent's decision will be final.