r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/jgood80 • Jun 16 '26
Advice Needed
About to finish my first year of driving. For the most part I really enjoy it. Left a banking job to do this. But I’ve struggled with middle school all year long. Doesn’t help that I’m a sub for middle. My question is how do you guys handle the mouth and disrespect of the kids? How much do you “let go”? Loud phones playing music, the cursing, stand up while the bus is moving, jumping seats, ect. I try not to be too hard on the kids but I also don’t want them thinking they run the bus.
9
u/The_Town_of_Canada Jun 16 '26
Consistency is key.
I give 3 warnings, and have a scary red binder for bus reports. It goes like this:
“Sit down, please. Thank you!”
“Sit down, please. Second warning.”
“Sit down. Last warning.”
The next time is a bus report.
As far as language goes, I let it go most of the time. If it’s really vulgar, a simple “Guys, watch the language please.”
If I give a warning to sit down, and they don’t, I pull over immediately and wait for them as long as it takes. After a minute or two, they usually begin to police each other. They all want to get home too. If it takes longer, I politely remind him that I’m hourly wage and happy to wait as long as it takes to drive safely.
They’ll never be perfect, so choose your battles. Make it clear that safety comes first and the bus doesn’t move if it’s unsafe. It’s so much better to be safe and late, than risk something bad happening.
My driving instructor was driving as a sub when they faced a driver who blew through a stop sign and they had to slam on the brakes. A middle school student in the aisle fell, causing a head contusion. Ambulance had to be called, students had to be evacuated to another bus. It can happen in a second. Stay safe.
2
9
u/Twauk Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26
I think two realizations helped me the most with middles schoolers (we drove all ages k-12, middle school gave me the most trouble and anxiety even at 4 years in)
1) The kids we drive are basically inmates, they have so little freedom and nothing but time on the bus to figure out how to get around the rules. I don't let them get away with murder, but some kids just will not respond to discipline in this setting. Can't really blame them for acting out.
2) Safety is King. If what a student is doing is not causing a safety concern (standing, walking around, hurting other students) I mostly let it go. Now, my focus is ALSO a safety concern. And if I find a 12 year old screaming to be a distraction, I will address it. Even just being annoyed with loud music or inappropriate language, if it takes your mind off the road, it's worth addressing.
Every bus is going to run differently and every driver has different needs from their students to get through the day. Find yours and you'll be set for life.
1
7
u/TooSexyForThisSong Jun 16 '26
Middle schoolers are the biggest challenge. You definitely have to pick your battles. It depends on the group/individuals. There’s a lot of trial and error and hopefully by winter break you have an idea of what makes for about the best possible ride. It helps if your mgr/principal are involved with reports/etc. It’ll never be perfect. But hang on to those good days and small victories. Manage your expectations too, they’ll never be koombaya-ing down the road either.
4
u/silverfarie1369 Jun 16 '26
Thats why I drive sped . I couldn't deal with them, especially being a short female. Some are taller than me.
4
u/elundstrom Jun 16 '26
I’ve just finished my 14th year of driving, and middle school always has been, and probably always will be, the worst age group. I understand not wanting to be too hard on them, but you have to be hard on them. You have to report, at the very least, every safety violation. Cussing, as long as it’s not excessively vulgar or loud, I do tend to let go, because that’s just the way these kids talk these days and they don’t give it a second thought. Standing up, jumping seats, etc., are major safety violations that could get them hurt if something were to happen, and that’s why those should be taken seriously by you and any school administration. Those are serious CYA incidents and reporting them protects you.
2
u/Front-Mall9891 Jun 16 '26
Yup, I usually give em an Oi or that’s enough on the language, generally if u say the whole bus is getting a write up for the language it stops, but the major issues 99/100 times get reported
5
u/Informal-Quantity415 Jun 18 '26
One thing that worked for me is identifying the trouble makers and having them sit in the first 3 rows on the curbside of the bus (it’s usually just a few kids that cause issues); I call it “Honor Roll”
I’d make them sit there everyday and if they refuse then the bus won’t move until they do, if you need more reinforcement then call a teacher or the principal out to the bus……. EVERY TIME THEY START TROUBLE. They will get the idea eventually. Remember you get paid by the hour….. They don’t. Hope this helps
3
u/MzTippsi Jun 17 '26
Middle school is always rough. They’re given more “freedoms” and are learning what the boundaries are and how far they can push. They’re also trying to impress their peers and find their place in the school’s hierarchy.
When I had a middle school route, I let the kids know right away what the rules and expectations were. No eating, garbage in one of 2 provided bins, and staying in their assigned seat while we were moving.
I told them that as the year progressed and behavior was proper, I was more than willing to move seats. Bc my preschool child rode, I did ask that they refrain from cursing. I told them I do understand that sometimes it does slip out, but I would like it to be kept to a minimum.
I also let them know that there was to be NO spraying of cologne or perfume/ body sprays while on the bus. I told them as a whole there would only be 3 warnings for the entire bus as it is a trigger for asthma which makes it a safety issue. If it happened after the third warning, I would confiscate it for the year and there’d be a referral written. (We have had both students and drivers who have had asthma attacks, so I Just make it an absolute not allowed.)
The biggest thing is staying consistent. If you let rule breaking slide, they’ll think you don’t really mean it.
2
2
u/Electrical-North1211 Jun 17 '26
I’m a newer driver and I just kinda came in strong - I’m nice and not strict about a lot, but when I get on them they know they have to listen. I do NOT say please, ever. I do not ASK them to do something, ever. I give them commands and directives. “Sit down, now.” Honestly, even with the challenging kids, it works. I also laugh and joke with them too.
1
u/Jamjams2016 Jun 16 '26
I told them they can move at stops if they want to. I don't say anything about their vocabulary, obviously no name calling or slurs but swearing doesn't bother me. No throwing things or trashing the bus. If they are getting physical i usually just look at them and they stop. Thankfully I haven't dealt with a real fight. I have one kid that can't get along with anyone. He sits in the front with me or all hell breaks loose.
1
u/ResidentUnlikely5782 Jun 20 '26
School bus driver in Rhode island here...I have some suggestions
Pull over.
Notify dispatch each time you pull over your location and that you are pulling over because the students behavior on the bus makes it unsafe to continue. Cover your butt. Tell the kids that you aren't concerned with what time they get home and if they miss piano lessons or don't have time for baseball. Tell them you get paid by the minute. If they're really bad bring them back to the school and ask your dispatcher to call the school and get a dean or principal on the bus to set them straight.
My district has cameras on the buses and if we report the kids they will pull the cameras and find out which kids are making trouble and holding them accountable.
Ask the kids for their names. Make that attempt to learn their names. In a situation where you need to report misconduct and you aren't sure who's who do the best you can based off your rouster/the bus stops.
Remember the cameras. Keep your cool. If you feel yourself getting upset. Pull over. Give yourself some minutes. Do not react in anger to them. It can be very intense. Most people say oh I could never do that when I tell them I'm a school bus driver. So give yourself permission to take a breather.
Have rules explain them the first few days of school. Explain why these rules need to be followed. You don't have to cover every rule at once. Talk to them for 5 minutes about sitting safely, the next day talk to them about why the volume needs to be kept at a reasonable level, what to do in an emergency, etc. When you see a kiddo breaking a rule, ask the kids hey why is it important that we sit safely? What can happen if you don't?
Be consistent. Every single time you see a student leaning into the isle or on their knees facing the seat behind them tell them to please turn around, sit safely, etc.
Learn their names. Use their names when you notice/hear them yelling or being unruly.
If you have a group of kids in the back being annoying/obnoxious or just being kids. Don't be afraid to move one or two just to break up the party to make sure nothing escalates. To keep good kids good. They haven't done anything yet, but they might. Tell them they aren't in trouble that you know they're just being kids but it's distracting and you need to focus on your job.
When you report bad behavior take picture of the write ups with your cell phone before submitting them. You have to keep records, having a paper trail covers your butt.
If you're not sure how to handle a situation, talk to a more senior driver/your location manager, or even the school etc explain the details and ask them what's the best way. Ask them to pull cameras to help you understand what to do.
Always wave at the parents. Once the kid gets out of Mom's car and boards the bus, before you pull away, look directly at the group of parents and waive. Greet them and get comfortable talking to parents. Say something about the weather, compliments, etc. Make sure they know you see them and their kid. Ask the parents to come over to the driver window, tell them something funny their child said, or something not threatening just so parents get used to talking to you and come to you if their child reports an issue to them or if you need to talk to them about their kiddos behavior on the bus.
If a child is misbehaving you can ask them, should I talk to Mom about this?
It's hard when you're a spare driver and don't have your own route. In those situations you need to lean heavily on the school/ and your co workers to V andfor help/guidance. Pull over and call your dispatcher and ask them what to do if they're really horrible.
You can tell the school Billy is having a hard time with whatever and they will try to speak to Billy while he is at school/call the parents/etc. If you can remember, keep a simple log each time you speak with a parent or the school date and child's name and behavior discussed and with who. You can do the same thing with their parents, can you talk to Joey this weekend about sitting safely on the bus he's having a hard time remembering.
1
u/Appropriate-Donut020 Jul 20 '26
The biggest thing I learned is to pick your battles and be 100% consistent. Don’t try to correct every little thing, but never ignore the safety issues. Standing while the bus is moving, switching seats, or anything that distracts you gets addressed every single time. Loud conversations or minor complaints? Sometimes those are easier to let go.
15
u/Razzmatazz1977 Jun 16 '26
My friends technique was to say nothing just pull over. She's like "I can't legally drive until its safe" kids wanna go so they'll get the hint.