Per Watertown Board of Education

1. Pupils are expected to ride and board only those buses to which they are regularly assigned to ride.

2. Pupils must take a seat when they enter the bus and remain seated while the bus is in motion.

3. Pupils shall move from one seat to another only by permission of the driver and at a time when the bus is not in motion. They should get on and off the bus only when the bus is fully stopped.

4. Conduct on the bus shall be substantially like classroom conduct, except that reasonable conversation is permissible.

5. No indecent or profane language shall be permitted on the bus, nor shall there be any rowdyism or loud talking.

6. Unnecessary conversation with the driver is prohibited.

7. The use of tobacco on the bus is prohibited.

8. Pupils must not at any time extend their arms or head out of the bus window.

9. Pupils shall assist in keeping the bus clean, sanitary, and orderly, and shall refrain from damaging or abusing the bus, its cushions or other equipment.

10. Bus windows shall not be opened without permission of the driver.

11. Upon entering or leaving the bus, pupils shall avoid crowding or in any way disturbing others.

12. No pupil shall leave the bus without permission from the driver or proper school authorities, except at his home or at the school.

13. Pupils shall enter or leave the bus only at the front door except in cases of emergency.

14. Pupils must be on time and at all times cooperate in keeping the bus on schedule.

15. Pupils must not stand on the traveled portion of the highway while waiting for the bus.

16. After alighting from the bus, pupils shall cross in front of the bus, but shall not begin crossing the highway until signaled to do so by the driver.

17. Pupils shall, when so instructed by the driver, report promptly to school authorities.

18. Pupils shall at all times be courteous to the teacher, bus driver and all other persons along the route.

19. Pupils shall at all times keep away from buses on which they are not scheduled as passengers and shall not deface them or any other equipment.

20. Pupils and parents of pupils who damage, injure, or deface any equipment on any bus shall be held liable for such damage.

The driver is at all times, while pupils are being transported to and from school, in full charge of the bus and all pupils riding it. He/she is required to enforce all rules and regulations adopted by the school, health and police authorities for the conduct of pupils riding on the bus. Smoking, opening the rear floor, spitting, destruction of property, profane or abusive language directed at the bus driver, fighting and similar activities are sufficient reasons for denial of bus transportation. On receipt of a written complaint from the bus driver, the principal or his/her designee shall conduct an investigation on the same school day. A student normally would be warned for the first offense, a three-day suspension assigned for the second offense, a five-day suspension assigned for the third offense, and a hearing conducted with parents present for the fourth offense. If the student’s misbehavior has been severe, a student may he suspended immediately. Parents will be notified promptly.