At Reeds Road school, we are constantly looking for areas of improvement and ways to address students' needs. Last year, we decided to focus on bus behavior. As an addition to our student safety patrol, which has been around for years, we implemented a program called The Peaceful School Bus. Through The Peaceful School Bus program, students were polled on the climate of their bus to identify areas of need. This information was used by Mrs. Hayden, the school counselor, to develop classroom lessons on bus behavior. We also developed a system of rewards for students and buses that excelled in maintaining a safe and friendly atmosphere. While this was a good start, we wanted to do more. In November of last year, we decided to add a bus ambassador to each bus. A bus ambassador is a teacher or other staff member who “adopts” a bus. The goal is to have the teacher develop relationships with the students, as well as the bus drivers. They visit the bus a few times a week to remind the students about appropriate behavior, assist the drivers with any issues they may have, but most importantly, solve little problems before they become big problems. The end result was that the program was a success. In the two months after the implementation of the program, discipline referrals from bus incidents dropped about 50%. In addition, the severity of incidents dropped significantly. Due to the fact that their efforts made a difference, teachers enthusiastically volunteered for the program again this year. We are excited to follow up last year’s success this school year.
As always, we are open to any ideas you as parents may have. If you would like to share an idea or concern, please free to contact us. The door is always open.
As always, we are open to any ideas you as parents may have. If you would like to share an idea or concern, please free to contact us. The door is always open.