R.E.S.P.E.C.T.Find out what it means to me….

Maintaining Positive Relationships with

Students

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Definition of Respect

• The state of being regarded with honor or esteem.

• Willingness to show consideration or appreciation.

• Valuing each other, accepting others.

• Being polite and kind always!

• Being open to being wrong.

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Florida: We Have a Problem

School bus is a traveling jungle• Student cruelty

• Bad language

• Inappropriatebehavior

• General disregard and disrespect

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The Blame Game

• Bus driver

• Teacher

• Principal

• Transportation Director

• Students

• Parents

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Objectives

• It’s all in the Attitude

• A Tailored Approach

• Your Personal Approach

• Do’s and Don’ts

• Rules of Engagement

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It’s all in the Attitude:A state of mind, behavior, or conduct, as indicating one’s feelings, opinion, or purpose.

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The Kids on the Bus…

List five words to describe the students on your bus

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Loving

Bad language

Quiet

Thoughtful

Well meaning

Well behavedGivingCaring

Helpful

Kind

Sweet

Good

Enjoy shock factor

Whiney

Defensive

Provocative

Abusive

Vulgar

Nasty

Antagonistic

The Kids on the Bus…

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The Kids on the Bus…

Victims

Lack of boundaries

Misunderstood

Afraid

Challenged

AbusedNeglected

Hurt

Unhappy

Unloved

In need of attention

Insecure

Bad LanguageNo respect for authorityAntagonisticNastyVulgarEnjoy shock factorAbusiveProvocativeDefensiveWhiney

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The Fears Children Face

• Oral presentation• Speaking to a stranger• Harassment• Unstable & violent households• Tests• Nobody to play with• Fear of failure• Daily bus ride

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What Makes the Daily Bus Ride Scary?

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Definition of Empathy

• The capacity to feel or experience sensations, emotions or thoughts similar to those being experienced by others.

• (Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.)

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What Traditional Tools Do We Have?

• Student discipline

• Student management

• Student control

• Student punishment

• ‘My way or the highway’

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Define Your Personal Approach

Tough Love

Kill them with kindness

Write up everything

Use write-ups as last resort

Reasoning skills

Push back

List five words to describe your personal approach:

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Bus Driver Challenges

• Cannot see the faces of most students

• Not looking directly at them

• Distance factor

• Noise level

• No perceived authority

• Crowded for space

• Overt actions are usually what is noticed

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Power Approach

• “Because I said so”

• “Get in your seat this minute”

• “You look like you just rolled out of bed”

• If you don’t do as I say… You will be written-up

• I’m in charge

• I know what’s best for you

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Permissive Approach

• “I’m so sick of putting up with you kids”

• “Oh forget it”

• “It’s easier if I do it myself”

• “Well, OK. Just this once”

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Cooperative Approach

• “I will turn on the radio as soon as everyone takes their seat”

• “Move your feet out of the aisle so students won’t trip as they leave”

• “Please talk quietly so I can drive safely”

• “You two can sit together as long as you sit quietly”

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Tailoring our Approach

• Friendly

• Firm

• Fair

• Consistent

• Safe

• Honest

• Commend good behavior

• Be reasonable

• Age and ability appropriate discipline

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Do’s and Don’ts

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Rules of Engagement

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Where to start?First day objectives

Introduce yourself as students get on the bus.Let each child know you are glad they are riding your bus.

Explain that you want them to feel safe on the bus.Ask them to come forward if they are having any bus problem.

Explain district behavior policies and procedures (in pm.)

First Month ObjectivesLearn the names of all your students (really).

Get a sense of the route as a whole and learn where you might need some relationship-building

Get to know school administration staff.Get to know any parents that are at bus stops.

Contact parents to the extent possible.

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What’s the payoff?• Respect

• Returned Respect

• Relationships

• A safer bus environment

• A safer bus to drive

• Job satisfaction

• Thanks for the job you do

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Bullying

Systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on…students or employees… unwanted

written, verbal or physical behavior, including any threatening, insulting or

dehumanizing gesture…severe or pervasive enough to … interfere with the

individual’s school performance or participation…

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Bullying• Is very Personal• Is an issue of “Power”• Takes many forms• Flourishes when there is inadequate

adult supervision• The bus provides significant potential for

a bullying environment

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Bullying – Key Characteristics

• When are children most at risk?

• The clever bully

• Most bullying is verbal. – Sarcastic putdowns, name-calling, and

spreading malicious rumors.

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What is Your Role

“Joking around”

is natural in groups of children, adults must learn to distinguish between

teasing and bullying.

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Teasing v BullyingTeasing• Some teasing is

natural among children• Teasing is mutual,

two-way• Teasing occurs from

time to time, not constantly

Bullying

• Bullying’s aim is to hurt and dominate, not play

• Bullying is one-way

• Bullying occurs repeatedly - one child is singled out for abuse again and again

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Sexual Harassment• Is a form of Bullying

• Is common in schools and society today

• Hurts children just as bullying

• Is NOT flirting

• Is NOT mutual and is designed to dominate and control another

• Is against the law: Federal Title IX regs.

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Bullies are good at hiding what they do —

Encourage kids to let you know whenever anything makes them feel unsafe.

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What Students Want/Need

• Appropriate (Positive) adult role models

• Protection from those who bully

• Sense of security and comfort

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Preventing Bullying and Sexual Harassment

• Be respectful and demand students treat each other with respect from day one.

• Do not tolerate any levels of harassment or bullying.

• Know the students on your bus.

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Preventing Bullying and Sexual Harassment

• Encourage children to let driver/attendant know immediately if they feel threatened or unsafe

• Be observant

– Watch / Intervene early / Report

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In Conclusion

• Florida Statute 1006.47 also known as Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act:

• Bullying or harassment of any student or employee of a public K-12 educational institution is prohibited.

• Bay District Board Policy 7.207-will not tolerate bullying and harassment.