Issues with students on school buses is a norm. Here are some recommendations from myself and other school bus drivers that might help to make your and their rides to and from school easier with less stress.

  1. I find it beneficial to greet the students every morning as the load the bus with a "Good Morning", it won't hurt, and I think if they are not starting the day off happy it might help set a better mood. Also when then reach school I give them a positive message, as they depart, to hopefully keep a positive attitude and get their day started well.
  2. Let them know the rules for your bus nicely and reinforce with positive comments. For the first week or two of school just do 1 or 2 rules a day and playfully quiz them on the rules.
  3. If you have pairs or groups of students that when together are more mischievous than not split them up with assigned seats. I have found that putting them on the same side of the bus 3 or 4 seats apart tones down the shenanigan's. 😃