Effective School Bus Passenger Management Tips

1. UNIT IX SCHOOL BUS PASSENGER MANAGEMENT

2. Students’ misbehavior on buses is one of the biggest problems confronting school bus operators. Tips to remember: • Keep a positive attitude when dealing with students. • Be sympathetic in understanding pupils’ problems, moods, and individual differences. • Learn the art of effective communication. IX-2

3. Topics to be discussed: • The three R's • Student discipline suggestions • Today's young people • General stages of human development • Motivators of behavior (Desires - Fears - Drives) • Problems are opportunities • Negative roadblock messages • Positive operator actions • Team responsibilities IX-3

4. “The Three R’s” • Rules - Clear, defined expectations about behavior. • Reason - Situations must be dealt with in a reasonable manner. • Rapport - Build a positive relationship with the students. IX-4

5. 1. Never give an order you do not intend to enforce. 2. Give your command to stimulate action, not to check it. Say, “do this” rather than “don’t do that.” 3. Give the child time to react. 4. Have a reason for asking a child for a specific action and, when possible, take time to explain the reason. Most rules can be tied to safety. If possible, give the logic tied to safety behind the rule. 5. Be honest in what you say and do. A child’s faith in you is a great help. 6. Be fair; it isn’t punishment but injustice that makes a child rebel. 7. Be friendly and always show an interest in what students are doing. 8. Commend good qualities and actions. 9. Try to be constructive, not repressive, in all dealings with children. 10. Remember that a sense of humor is extremely valuable. Suggestions for Maintaining Student Discipline IX-5

6. Suggestions for Maintaining Student Discipline (continued) 11. Never strike a child. 12. Do not judge misconduct by how it annoys you. 13. Do not take personal feelings and prejudice out on children. 14. Do not lose your temper. 15. Look for good qualities; all children have them. 16. Do not nag or bluff. 17. Do not pick on every little thing a child does. Sometimes it is wiser to overlook little things. 18. Listen for suggestions and complaints from children. 19. Set a good example yourself. 20. Intelligence in handling youth consists of thinking faster than they do. If they can out-think you, you are not using your maturity and the advantage of your broader education. You should see possibilities in situations before they become problems. This is the secret of leadership. IX-6

7. Today's Young People • Young people grow rapidly socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. • Young people may exhibit these behaviors: • impulsiveness • physical activity • intuitiveness • independence IX-7

8. General Stages of Development • Birth - Age 4: The first four years of life are a “sensual period” when basic needs are provided. • Ages 4-6: Children are developing relationships in which they need to feel a part of the family unit. • Ages 6-11: During these years, the child will reach out and explore. IX-8

9. General Stages of Development(continued) • Ages 9-15: Children are very concerned with looks, clothing, and style. • Ages 16-18: These young adults are trying to declare independence from the peer group and establish their own unique identity. IX-9

10. Behavioral Controls • Desires • Fair, consistent treatment • Admiration • Winning • Acceptance • Respect • Courtesy IX-10

11. Behavioral Controls • Fears • Rejection • Being excluded • Public ridicule • Physical abuse IX-11

12. Behavioral Controls • Drives • Many young people need to be viewed as leaders. • Young people like to have fun. • Young people like things that stimulate the body or senses. • Young people may go to great lengths to gain security. IX-12

13. When dealing with people, remember: • All people are special. • Social behavior is learned. • People are not owned. • Students have feelings. • Students can reason. Problems Are Opportunities! IX-13

14. Negative Roadblock Messages • Solution messages • Hidden messages • Put-down messages • Hidden messages • Indirect messages • Hidden messages IX-14

15. Positive Operator Actions: • Be confident and in control. • Be warm and helpful to the students. • Smile and be friendly. • Look and listen for clues to passengers’ problems. • Present students with choices. • Be firm but never overstep moral or legal limits. IX-15

16. School Bus Passenger Management The Department of Education recommends that the school bus operator follow the disciplinary procedure provided by his supervisor. The bus operator has no authority to slap, spank, or abuse any child. Children who break the rules should be reported to the school’s principal before any disciplinary action is taken. IX-16

17. Team Responsibilities: • Operator -direct responsibility. • Transportation Supervisor -provides support and guidance to the operator. • Administrator -follows through and acts on disciplinary problems. • Teachers -assists the operator in better understanding of students. • Parents or Guardians -legally responsible for the behavior of their children. • Students -follow the rules and regulations. It takes the whole team working together! IX-17

18. Summary • The three R's • Student discipline suggestions • Today's young people • General stages of human development • Motivators of behavior (Desires - Fears - Drives) • Problems are opportunities • Negative roadblock messages • Positive operator actions • Team responsibilities IX-18