How to Deal with a Bullying Situation On Your Bus
As somebody who works in school bus services, you know how important it is that the students you drive get to school safe and sound. That’s why bullying situations are such a headache—they hinder you, as a driver, from doing your job.
It’s a headache for you, but imagine how scary it is for the kids involved. Bullying can leave lasting emotional scars on victims. Moreover, bullying is a safety issue for other kids on the school bus. A fight can tempt some serious rubbernecking, which means that kids might be up and out of their seats—and this can be dangerous while the bus is in motion.
However, as serious of a problem as bullying is, stopping it isn’t always easy. American Student Transportation, a third-generation group transportation service company in Blaine, gives a few tips below.
Understand that Bullying isn’t Always Physical
This is important for everyone who works with kids to understand. Bullying takes many forms, some of which aren’t visible to the eye, such as exclusion or mean social media comments. As a current class B CDL holder or someone who is learning how to become a bus driver, remember the following when it comes to invisible bullying:
Keep your ears peeled. Just because your eyes are on the road doesn’t mean you can’t keep an ear out for trouble. Make a note of anything that sounds worrying, down to the last nasty social media comment, and report it to the authorities.
Don’t be afraid to say something. Even if the comment you overheard turns out to be nothing, it never hurts to report suspicious activity. You could be nipping a larger conflict in the bud.
Maintain a personal relationship with your passengers. Say ‘good morning’ and ‘good-bye’ when each kid leaves the bus. You’ll quickly be able to pick up any changes in attitude which can be caused by bullying.
What if the Bullying Gets Physical?
Pull over and put on your hazards. Allowing a fight to progress can have serious consequences, both for the children and for you.
Separate the children. Placing them on opposite ends of the bus can stop further fighting. Use assigned seating if necessary.
Write the children up immediately. The longer you wait to file a report an offense, the greater the likelihood that another offense could occur within school walls.
Need Further School Bus Driver Training? Contact American Student Transportation Services Today
If you’re studying for your class B CDL, learning about how to manage passengers can be overwhelming, so come train with American Student Transportation Services today! We'll pay you to learn how to drive a school bus with us. To learn more about this opportunity, contact us today at 651-621-8900.