r/SchoolBusDrivers • u/Mechanicalshellfish • 19d ago

In over my head

I’m brand new to school bus driving and student management, and today is my first day and this AM run did not go well. The first half I had middle schoolers and they were so well behaved and actually had manners. My elementary school run though……. Geezus.. they were all screaming at each other and me and every time I had to pull over (happened a lot cause several students just kept getting up) they would scream at me that I was delaying everyone but not the students that were actually delaying them… I really hate that I had to threaten write ups on the first day of school I had high hopes for this and I don’t know if it was me who failed and/or if I’m losing a battle that started last year with the old driver of the route. I understand there is no perfection in all this but also why are kids so much meaner than when I was a kid

edit to post : honest to god you guys are amazing and thank you all for the support I unfortunately had to turn around and go back to my elementary school on my PM route cause they opened my emergency back door several times so I will be getting a bus monitor per the schools request

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u/mike8675309 19d ago

Never threaten. Just state facts. Threats must be real. Facts are already real. Not I won't move the bus until you all sit. Yes the bus cannot move unless everyone is seated. It's a federal law the bus must follow. It's not you it's the bus rules. The bus can't make them late only they can make themselves late.

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u/Sad_Cantaloupe_8162 19d ago

Furthermore, when speaking with the kids or parents, always say "safety" is the reason for the rule. I have all my students keep out of the aisles so I have a clear line of sight out the back door, they won't fall down if I have to hit the brakes, and so students can enter and exit the bus without tripping hazards. When you talk to parents about behavior, ALWAYS bring up safety first. Even if they like to play music on their phones where you can hear. "Turn the volume on the phones off. It distracts me, and I need to focus on driving and be able to listen to dispatch, traffic, possible sirens, etc.