Took a nasty phone call to start the day
It was from an irate parent. The parent was responding to a phone call received from a school administrator. On the previous day a bus conduct report was filed by a school bus driver.
Answering the call with my name, it was confirmed she had reached the proper target.
Her middle school student was assigned a front seat for three days for recent actions while riding a school bus. Mom wanted answers and to have someone in the cross hairs for a serious cross examine.
The written driver report described a male student leaving trash on several occasions. For the past 3 days she had to sweep out crushed potato chips and various wrappers left by student on a seat and floor where he was sitting.
She spoke to him several times to explain the bus still needed to complete an elementary route. She pointed out a trash can mounted on the bus and requested it should be used. The only response from the student was a smirk and additional trash left behind.
The first procedure for a bus conduct report is to have the driver explain the issue in writing to transportation office. A Supervisor or office personnel should review with driver any questions or clarifications. The complete report is forwarded by fax or email to the school.
Between the transportation department and the school administration team, corrective measures are discussed for the best solution to resolve the situation.
Food and drinks are not allowed on a school bus for legitimate safety reasons. Most important is a possibility of choking. Drivers will always enforce rules for all elementary students, but some are more lenient toward secondary students. It make sense when transporting students of today.
After school, many of the kids are getting ready to enter various activity and sports programs.
Secondary students eating on a bus should be allowed in circumstances. An older and responsible student should be able to determine if he/she can eat an energy bar.
Getting back to the phone call.
I held the phone away from my ear as mom loudly continued to explain how her child would never eat that garbage. The driver and transportation officials were complete idiots for submitting a negative bus conduct report. She would be filing a report with the school district about the harassment her child had to endure.
Mom screamed and ranted until she finally took a break to ask ,
“Are you still there”.
My response in the affirmative, ignited a new barrage that included mention of how the student stays up at night and doesn’t want to get up in the morning for school. Since he sometimes forgets to grab a package of Pop Tarts, he often goes without eating in the morning.
“Your school district is isolating my child starting from the time he gets on the bus. The teachers and administrators are also conspiring to deny educational services.”
Before hanging up, she offered her assessment of the entire transportation team. Her words were not kind. After hanging up with the transportation office, mom also followed up with a call to the middle school office.
Together with a middle school administrator we launched an investigation to review the previous day PM route.
We first confirmed driver knew the student well, and has been transporting him for almost two years. A review of camera video system offered clear evidence of student eating, and leaving trash on the seat and floor of the bus. Once we sent over the bus video and roster, school officials were able to quickly confirm student identification. They also reported having recent disciplinary issues in the classroom structure.
3-5 Days in a reserved seat to a middle school age student is the correct response to a first infraction. Not being able to join friends helps them understand there are consequences to their actions.
