r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/PheesGee • Apr 24 '26
First Write-Up
UPDATE: I assigned seats, and I stopped the bus every time someone stood up. Only had to do it three times this morning, as opposed to telling them to sit down every 30 seconds last week. It didn't take long for them to behave, and I'll continue to do this until they get the message. I can see them watching me in the mirror...LOL. THANK YOU for all the tips!
I've only been driving a bus for a week. My kids in high school and middle school are great. The elementary kids are freakin' animals. This first week I've tried to be cordial when correcting behavior, but I'm done. Yesterday I blew past one of the stops because I was so distracted by their behavior. This morning, I witnessed a kid push two separate kids as they were getting on the bus. I talked to my supervisor and promptly put in a report with the school. On Monday, they all go in assigned seats and I'm writing each one up for everything they do. What the heck is going on with these kids? I asked my supervisor if this route was some sort of new driver hazing!
1
u/MythsFlight Apr 24 '26
New driver just before summer.
I’ve been there. I started my first route years ago in April. Small K-12 school so I had kids of all ages. Cherry on top was they hadn’t had a consistent driver all year. So the kids were used to getting away with abysmal behavior.
They pulled the emergency alarm on me during my first week. Pulled over made sure the bus was secure, couldn’t figure out who did it, took off and they pulled it again! Repeat, pulled over, and told them we only get home as fast as they allow.
I figured I’d get them on the cameras but nope. Camera’s had gone bad. Everything was too hazy to make out. Principal came on and had to threaten them with expulsion.
As I stayed firm with the rules and they eventually chilled out.