Ok as for examples: calling a student named Phoenix ( male body part), loud, moving seat to seat while the bus is moving, playing guns and shooting games, and more that I can not think of right now. As for punishing any of them, I REFUSE TO CALL OUT ONE OR 2 FOR ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ALL OF THEM. THAT IS JUST MEAN AND DEMEANING. I do know the names of the offenders ( I also dont like to call them bad) but as I was not there I can not write them up. And as I said before, my boss does not back us up, he is retiring in 2 months and does not care. I have 3 older students that help control by sitting with the offenders and talking to them. They have been getting worse for the last few weeks and I am working with them, but I am tired of haveing a sore throat every night, I do appologize to the *good* ones and they all say that is ok, we undeerstand. I do reward good behavior, and even if they were not good that day i still give rewards and say* I know you are trying to do better and next week you are going to try more*
No one was forced to writhe the letter, it was a request. The children were happy to write them and they were very sweet letters that even made me cry because they were truly sorry. My kids all tell there parents they love me, and I talk to my parents offten.
I also send a letter at the begining of the year with a short BIO on me and my expierence and expectations that includes a card for phone numbers, names, medical issues that I might have to deal with and permission for treats and restrictions on them.
Children all really want to be good and will try more than you know, sometines they just cant. I do understand that and we do over look everything we can.
Too much noise is really only a danger if I can't hear sirens or the 2 way radio.
I can't offer music on a regular basis because ti causes them to be louder, but we do sing Happy Birthday to each one on their day and we sing holiday songs. I have a few that like to make up songs and sing them to me so I also do that.
Our children are on the bus for about 20-40 minutes so they can restrain them selves that long.
We are not allowed to have other adults on the bus to help, we have tried.
I am sorry for those that have mean drivers, but I must be doing something right because my kids hug me and say I love you on a regular basis. They know that what I do is for their safety and they know I really love them, this is not about PUNISHMENT it is about respect and safety.
Just because a group of kids is together does not excuse bad behavior.
My kids are even allowed to give input on punishment and results. I try to give ownership of the behavior to them.
I really believe these kids are treated with respect and love and they need to return that wheather it is me or someone else driving.
As bad as I spell just be glad I am a driver and not a teacher LOL.
Thank you all for the input. I really do like having more oppinions so that I can see how others view what I am doing.
We are not allowed to put them off the bus, and I even wait till they are in the house before I drive off LOL ( they are my kids).
In a perfect world they all be good and i would just drive but this is reality and we have to do what we think is best. and I think Love and Talking is much better than writing up all the time. I use that as a last resort.