Kaneland School Bus Passenger Regulations

The privilege of riding the bus is dependent upon good behavior and observance of the rules and regulations. Bus drivers are required to report any student who violates these rules and regulations. Bus misconduct notices are issued to the students by the principal and indicate whether the notice is a warning or a suspension. Students who are suspended from riding the bus must be present in school on the suspension days. K-5 administrators may use more discretion and consider age-appropriateness in the application of consequences for bus misconduct. Special education students will also be given special consideration based upon their needs as stated in their Individual Education Plans (IEP). (See Board Policy 7.230 and First Student Transit, Inc. Contract with Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative).

Students are issued a warning notice for the first incident of misbehavior on a bus unless the behavior carries an automatic suspension (see rules 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11). A student who receives a second misconduct notice will be suspended from riding all Kaneland busses for a minimum of three days to five days unless otherwise indicated. A third misconduct notice will result in a bus suspension for a minimum of ten (10) days unless otherwise indicated. A fourth misconduct notice issued during the same school year or any notice issued for a single act of gross disobedience or misconduct may result in a suspension of a student's bus riding privileges for the remainder of the school year at the discretion of the Board of Education.

School Bus Safety Rules

All students who ride Kaneland District #302 school busses are expected to know and obey the following bus safety rules:

1. Students should always be on time at their assigned bus stop, but they should arrive no earlier than ten (10) minutes before the bus is due. In order to maintain a dependable time schedule, bus drivers have been directed not to wait for tardy students.
2. When students need to cross a road before boarding or after exiting a bus, they must wait to do so until the driver signals them permission to cross. They should cross the road far enough in front of the bus (about 10 feet) so that the driver can see the students and the students can see the drivers signal.
3. There is to be no noise when the bus stops at a railroad crossing.
4. Students are required to board and get off the busses at their assigned bus stops. Before a student may be allowed to get off the bus at a different stop or ride a bus other than the one assigned, the student must present a permission note signed by a parent/guardian to the school office. If a student wishes to get off the bus at another students stop or home, both students must first present parental permission notes to the school office at the beginning of the school day.
5. No students shall be allowed to bring any animal or pet on the bus without prior permission from the school and Transportation Director.
6. The aisle and emergency exits are to be kept clear of any objects that would hinder their use. If there are no empty seats available to store items (such as musical instruments, sports equipment, backpacks, etc.), students must hold these items on their laps.
7. Cell phone usage on school buses is prohibited except in emergency situations or with the expressly stated permission of the bus driver.
8. Non-school sponsored athletic equipment may not be carried onto any Kaneland School District bus. This includes roller blades, etc.

Community Relations (Americans with Disabilities Act)

Individuals with disabilities should notify their Building Principal if they have a disability which will require special assistance or services, and what services are required. This notification should occur as far as possible before the school sponsored function, program or meeting.

School Bus Disciplinary Procedure

The behaviors listed below are NOT permitted on Kaneland busses or at bus stops. The consequence for each violation is indicated.

Violation	1st Offense	2nd Offense	3rd Offense	4th Offense
Violation of a safety rule (see safety rules 1-8)	Warning	3-day bus suspension	10-day bus suspension	Bus suspension for remainder of the year
Refusal to cooperate with driver; lack of courtesy and respect to driver or to fellow student	Warning	3-day suspension	10-day suspension	Bus suspension for remainder of the year
Obscene or unacceptable language gestures, remarks or signs (Directed to fellow student)	3-day bus suspension	5-day bus suspension	10-day bus suspension	Bus suspension for remainder of the year
Excessive talking or unnecessary noise	Warning	3-day bus suspension	10-day bus suspension	Bus suspension for remainder of the year
Throwing items of any kind in the bus or out of the window or at the bus stop	3-day bus suspension	5-day bus suspension	10-day bus suspension	Bus suspension for remainder of the year
Spitting of any kind on the bus	3-day bus suspension	5-day bus suspension	10-day bus suspension	Bus suspension for the remainder of the year
Refusal to stay properly seated	3-day bus suspension	5-day bus suspension	10-day bus suspension	Bus suspension for remainder of the year
Extending hands, arms, or head out of the window	3-day bus suspension	5-day bus suspension	10-day bus suspension	Bus suspension for remainder of the year
Tampering with bus equipment	3-day bus suspension, pay for the damage	5-day bus suspension, pay for the damage	10- day bus suspension, pay for the damage	Bus suspension for remainder of the year; pay for damage
Littering, eating, drinking, or chewing gum on the bus	Warning	3-day bus suspension	10-day bus suspension	Bus suspension for remainder of the year
Theft on the bus	5-day bus suspension, replacement of item(s)	10-day bus suspension, replacement of item(s)	Bus suspension for remainder of the year, replacement of item(s)	n/a
Other misbehavior	To be determined	To be determined	To be determined	To be determined

OTHER BUS VIOLATIONS

The following bus violations constitute offenses of a more serious nature. These actions will result in additional school consequences as well as a 10-day bus suspension. Any additional offenses in this category will result in bus suspension for the remainder of the year.

• Obscene or unacceptable language, gestures, remarkes or signs directed to school employees.
• Throwing an item of any kind at the bus driver or in close proximity to the bus driver.
• Physically attacking another student or fighting on the bus or at the bus stop.
• Having or using tobacco on the bus or at the bus stop.
• Having or using drugs or alcohol on the bus or at the bus stop.
• Deliberate vandalism.
• Bringing weapons or explosives (including fireworks) on the bus or to the bus stop.
• Lighting matches or lighters on the bus or at the bus stop.