I drive a bus-gradeschool kids coming home are monsters, What do I do?

Question

PS - I can't do any physical harm to them.

Answer 1

I drove a bus for 5 years. Stopped 3 years ago.
First thing, set up a seating chart, with colorful nametags on magnets inside the bus.I used wooden popsickle sticks and magic markers. Put flowers or bugs or something on them.
SEPARATE the boys on one side and girls on the other.
YOU assign them a seat and don't let them move around-period.It is for safety, so you get to know their names quickly, and know when someone is absent or not in the right place-if you have an accident.
Do not allow them stand or throw anything or turn around in the seat. Write them up!
Just tomorrow when you get on the bus, say we have some new rules to help get us safely home. Tell them that the rules are for safety and a quiet ride home is the beginning. Tell them anyone who does not comply will be warned one time, and then written up.
DO IT>Do not yell at them, do not lose your cool>do not make any threat you do not back up immediately with the action promised.
You have a couple of kids(maybe 4-5) on the bus that are the loudest or the leaders or the bossiest? Make them bus-monitors. Give them a clipboard, little notepads, and a pencil on a string around his neck. assign them a section of the bus, and do not allow them to walk around. Tell them it is their job to make it safe for the little ones. They can write kids up for bad behavior, they can keep their area clean, and they can HELP children on and off the bus-when the bus has stopped.
YOU get to decide if you think the write-up warrants action. Praise your bus monitors and don't embarrass them in front of others. They are your alpha males and females--use them!!
Give them little gifts every Friday - a couple of pencils or a cool notebook. Fire them, privately, if they get out of hand.
I was the "Disciplary Fairy" assigned to the roughest buses,and got them settled down.
YOU have to be calm, assertive, and always keep your word. Kids need that. EVENTUALLY, they will respect you, and listen. They will not LIKE you.
Of course you can't do any thing physical to them. Would you WAnt somebody bashing YOUR kids around, because she can't handle them well?

Answer 2

My two have at times been little monsters! You either need to let the school or parents know, because the parents can't do their part if they don't know their little angels are acting up. A 2 day bus suspension is always good. When out 2 got suspended, it meant we had to change our schedules to get them to and from school, and it left 2 parents not too happy, and it trickled down to the kids in the form of grounding until the bus susp. was lifted. Good luck, you brave warrior.

Answer 3

Your school administration has guidelines that you need to follow.

The one that was most talked about from my kids was the driver pulled over to the side of the road, got up and made a phone call (I don't know to whom since I got this second hand from my kids). They waited about 30 minutes at which time the school principal showed up with the cops. They waited another 30 minutes and the kids parents showed up, and the kid got off the bus and was last seen standing on the side of the road with the cops, the principal, and his parents.
The kid was never again on the bus, and though he was only one of many 'ruffians' on that bus, the entire lot sat in their seats quite as a mouse the rest of the year.

We did receive a message from the school the next day reminding us that riding on the school bus was a privilege and if the kids abused the privilege it would be taken away from them.

As a part time teacher I know that the kids will be as loud as you let them be, and as quite as you make them be.... its up to you.

Answer 4

Report your situation to the principals that the parents should be reminded about school bus safety. A letter should be sent home to the parents of students who ride the bus. The letter should let parents know that they should further discuss this matter with their children.Rowdy behaviour compromises everybodies safety.Let the letter serve as notice further rowdy behaviour may result in temporary or permanent suspension of bus privileges.Require all parent to sign a slip that they are aware that this bus policy is being put into place to ensure the safety of all concerned.

Answer 5

If you're having THAT much of a problem..suggest to the school that a moniter be put on the bus~ to supervise while you are driving...don't want you crashing while dealing with them... IF the school won't do it...maybe have a mom ride the bus once in awhile...I was a bus moniter for the Head Start program..I was also a teacher at the school. Since my son rode the bus...I would ride in with him and then moniter the bus (one certain child was put with me for behavioral problems) til our stop!

Answer 6

Let them have a snack on the bus, if you're allowed food.
They may be monsters because they are hungry and really need a protein boost. Some kids have lunch so early in the a.m. in our district that I know they must be starved by the time they come home.

Answer 7

I had a bus driver who told us if we did not behave she would drop us off at the police station and our parents could pick us up from their. It worked great most of the kids behaved. And when she did do it she did not get in any trouble with her bossed cause it was a police station.

I am sorry you have to deal with those bratty kids. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Answer 8

let them know that when they r on the bus they need to be quiet because if they don't u can get into a horrible accident and everyone can be hurt, put a little fear in them! if the parents complain oh well maybe they should take their own lil monsters

Answer 9

I took my kids off the bus after a while because it was so CRAZY on the bus! They still need supervision, but the driver needs to pay attention to the road. I know that busses are so overcrowded most of the time, but someone to help supervise would be great on all busses!

Answer 10

Inform your boss the school board. If that doesn't help ask the parents to do something. If the older kids behave have them do a bit of something except bullying of course.