School provided bus transportation is a privilege and not a right. Students being transported by a bus owned and operated by the Peru Community School Corporation or students waiting at Peru Community School Corporation bus stops are expected to observe the same standards of behavior outlined in their school’s discipline policy. In addition, the following rules, specific to buses and bus stops, must be obeyed:
- Be nice to the driver, monitor, and fellow students.
- Use language free of cursing
- Keep the bus and bus stop area clean.
- Leave food/drink in book bags.
- Follow the bus drivers' and monitor's directions.
- Remain seated while the bus is in motion.
- Keep hands, head, and feet inside the bus.
- Keep hands and feet to self at bus stop and inside the bus.
- Stay on the curb/sidewalk while waiting at the bus stop.
- Use or possession of tobacco products are not allowed on the bus or at bus stops.
- Respect personal space and property.
- Items that may be considered to be weapons or items that may be dangerous or disruptive are not allowed on the bus and/or at the bus stop. Such items will be confiscated and the individual will receive a Discipline Referral.
- Bus passes must be carried and visible for the drivers to identify the student. A student who refuses or habitually forgets or loses their tag may lose riding privileges for a period of time.
NOTE: Disregarding one or more of the regulations listed above will result in the following disciplinary action:
- LEVEL 1 - Verbal reprimand.
- LEVEL 2 - Assigned seat and FIRST WRITTEN NOTICE to the principal/assistant principal.
- LEVEL 3 - SECOND WRITTEN NOTICE Referral to the principal/assistant principal. Suspension of riding privileges may result at this level as determined by the principal/assistant principal.
- LEVEL 4 - THIRD WRITTEN NOTICE Referral to the principal/assistant principal. Suspension of riding privileges will be evoked by the principal/assistant principal at this level.
Certain types of misbehavior could warrant immediate suspension of bus riding privileges. For example: disrespect or physical abuse of the bus driver or monitor, destruction of property, or purposeful injury of another student. This determination will be made by the bus driver and building principal/assistant principal who holds the right to use suspension, restitution, or expulsion as a further consequence for the misbehavior.
SEARCH OF STUDENTS AND/OR PROPERTY WHILE ON THE BUS
In the event that a driver or bus monitor is alerted to the possibility of illegal or dangerous articles (guns, knives, drugs, tobacco, etc.) in the possession of a student on the bus:
- If the bus is in motion, stop the bus.
- If possible, segregate the student from others.
- Immediately call the Transportation Director (Superintendent's Office or building Principal if Transportation Director is not available).
Prior to a search of a student's person and personal item's in the student's immediate possession, consent by the student shall be sought by an administrator. If the student does not consent, such a search shall be permitted based only upon the administrator's individualized reasonable suspicion to believe that the search will produce evidence of a violation of a law, school rule, or a condition that endangers the safety or health of the student or others. Searches of the person of a student shall be conducted and witnessed by a person of the same gender as the student and shall be conducted in a private place. A searched student's parent or guardian shall be notified of the search. In certain circumstances, it may be necessary to take possession of book bags or personal property for a search at a later time by an administrator. If those circumstances warrant a pat down of the outer first layer of clothing of a student, ensure that an administrator conducts the search. Under no circumstances will a student be the subject of a pat down by anyone other than an administrator.
Reasonable Suspicion - When information exists which establishes sufficient facts to give a trained law enforcement or criminal investigative agency officer, investigator, or employee a basis to believe that there is a reasonable possibility that an individual is involved in a definable criminal activity or possession of contraband. Information received from PCS personnel, parents, other students, or other reasonable sources should be considered when determining reasonable suspicion.
