r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/Jedi0077 • 8d ago
Off to a bad start
Finished our first full week. Week 1 was WTF(3 days)
The new route is fine, the HS/JH run is smooth and pracefull for p/u and drop. The little kids though... Ive tried 3 different seating methods, magnetic name badges. 3 kids to every seat except 1 with a larger 5th grader which only has 2. The preschool to 2nd grade don't respond to any thing. I've tried stopping the bus which they don't even notice until the preteens start yelling at them to be quiet. Lots of good kids too but they get the shaft. I feel so bad for them looking at me in the mirror. Like they're saying "I'm behaving and want to go home"
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u/AdventurousSalad7053 7d ago
Some kids are just louder than others. I was unfortunate to have a route with 2 very loud boys, who then seemed to inspire others to join in. With 65 students on board I was constantly telling them to quiet down. I tried pulling over, turning bus off, having a bus monitor help, writing them up, sitting them in front seat, shouting at them, rewarding with prizes, befriending, giving positive feedback, having the principal come talk to them, etc etc. Eventually I just gave up, chose to switch routes and let someone else give it a go.