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Student Safety & Discipline

The Helena Public Schools Transportation Department is dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable bussing environment for your child. The Helena Public Schools treats the bus ride as an extension of the school day. With your help and understanding, it will be a successful program. If you have any questions concerning the discipline/safety procedures, please feel free to call us at 324-2103.
 
Transportation Procedures
The bus driver will notify students as they receive conduct reports. When these reports reach the District Transportation Office, the District’s Bus Safety and Discipline Specialist will attempt telephone contact with the student’s parents, as well as provide a hard copy of the conduct report through the mail. Students could eventually be denied transportation privileges if they reach the misconduct levels as stated in the following student discipline procedures. Conduct Rules and Student
 
Discipline Procedures
If a student violates one or more of the School Bus Safety Rules (posted on each bus) or the Rules of Student Conduct (listed in each school’s Student Handbook), the student’s misbehavior will be handled in the following manner. The bus driver will issue a Rules Conduct Violation (written bus conduct report) for misconduct when they feel it is warranted. Severe discipline violations will result in an automatic suspension from the school bus. Discipline procedure by order of incident is outlined below. Please review the rules and expectations for riding the bus with your child.
 
Bus Riding Expectations and Rules
Eat and drink before getting on the bus.
Stay in your assigned seat at all times.
Use indoor voices - NO PROFANITY
Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself inside the bus.
Show respect to students and adults. Severe misbehavior includes, but is not limited to:
  • Destruction of property.
  • Physical assault or fighting.
  • A student’s actions that are harmful to, or have the potential to harm, themselves or other students.
  • Use of any mechanical or technical device that interferes with the bus driver's ability to safely operate the bus.
  • Open defiance and/or profanity towards the bus driver, any other person of authority, or another student.
  • Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying of any kind including, defamation of character, slander or negative remarks concerning a student's ethnic heritage or sexual preference (discrimination).
  • Use or possession of tobacco products of any kind, matches, lighters, alcohol, drugs, weapons, sharp objects, pornography or any violation of the law. The Helena Police Department or Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office will be notified regarding a student who is in violation of the law of any kind on a school bus and the student will be disciplined in accordance with the District's policy.
Severe misbehavior automatically constitutes immediate suspension. This district reserves the right to determine length of suspension based on an independent review of each severe misbehavior on the bus.
Any student who chooses to continue severe misbehavior or receives four conduct reports may be expelled from bus riding privileges for up to one (1) full year, which is defined as three hundred sixty five (365) calendar days.
 
Incident #1 Students receiving their first written conduct report will be notified of the report by the driver, and parents will be notified by the Helena School District Transportation Office through mail.
  • Students receiving their first written conduct report will be notified of the report by the driver, and parents will be notified by the Helena School District Transportation Office through mail.
Incident #2 Students receiving their second written conduct report will be notified by the driver of the report, and will have their riding privileges suspended for two school days. Whenever possible, parents will be notified by both telephone and a written suspension letter.
  • Students receiving their second written conduct report will be notified by the driver of the report, and will have their riding privileges suspended for two school days. Whenever possible, parents will be notified by both telephone and a written suspension letter.
Incident #3 Students receiving their third written conduct report will be notified by the driver and will be suspended from riding privileges for ten schools days. Whenever possible, parents will be notified by telephone and a written suspension letter.
  • Students receiving their third written conduct report will be notified by the driver and will be suspended from riding privileges for ten schools days. Whenever possible, parents will be notified by telephone and a written suspension letter.
 Incident #4 Students receiving their forth written conduct report will be notified by the driver and may be suspended from riding privileges for up to 365 calendar school days. Whenever possible, parents will be notified by telephone and a written suspension letter.
  • Students receiving their forth written conduct report will be notified by the driver and may be suspended from riding privileges for up to 365 calendar school days. Whenever possible, parents will be notified by telephone and a written suspension letter.
Uniform Complaint Procedure
A parent, legal guardian or person with parental authority may utilize the district’s "Uniform Complaint Procedure" if they believe that the Board, its employees or agents have violated their rights guaranteed by the State or Federal Constitution, State or Federal statute, or Board policy.
 
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