SCHOOL BUS INCIDENTS

Writing Formal Reports

Lisa McHenryEdgewood City School DistrictTransportation Department

Why do we write incident reports?

The purpose of School Bus Incident Reports

❏ Facilitate safe transportation of students

❏ A legal document ❏ A means to improve

communication between staff members.

❏ Support for student management / discipline

❏ A tool to improved undesired behavior in student(s).

❏ A release of responsibility.❏ The only form of discipline

on the bus. ❏ An emotional response to an

unpleasant situation. (Venting)

What it is! What it isn’t!

What should an incident report include?

What infraction occurred?

Think of Dragnet’s, Joe Friday, “Just the facts, ma’am.”

Where was the bus, students involved, and your location.

Important Questions

● As you are writing a report answer the 4 W’s questions.

● Who, What, When, and Where.

● Who was involved in the incident and/or reported the incident?

● When did the incident occur, date, time or AM or PM route, at the school, in route, or specific stop location?

Leave opinions and emotions out of your reporting.

Some phrases that are not useful when reporting are:

I am tired of talking to…I have put up with this all year.This behavior is uncalled for.I think he/she does this because…I’m not sure what is wrong with...

Who?

➔ Who is involved?● provide as much identification as possible● include names of other students who are nearby

and observed the incident

➔ What are some other ways of identifying student(s)?

What?➔ Check specific infraction on incident report form and

add details in comments section

❏ these comments should paint a picture of what occurred

Example: Jimmy Smith in seat 8 threw a pencil at Melissa Jones in seat 20. The other students said she called him stupid. Infraction: Throwing objects out of or on the school bus.

State Law 3301-83-08-C11

When?➔ Include the following:

❏ Date❏ Time❏ Beginning, middle or end of route❏ Loading or unloading at school?

Where? ➔ Where was the student(s) located in the bus?➔ Did the student move to a different location?➔ Where were the other students located who were involved.

How Can We Reduce Incidents?

Discussion points:❏ Review why the state has laws for students to follow.

These are not just “rules.”❏ Why is it important to review laws with students and how

often?❏ Build relationships with your students. Communication will

solve many of your student behavior issues.❏ Younger students can be assign jobs. Why should you

assign jobs and which students can benefit the most?❏ How to stop unacceptable behaviors before they escalate?

Additional ResourcesIntervention Central; School Wide Strategies for Managing Bus Conduct

Student Management for School Bus Drivers

Module Three Anti-Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying and Teen Relationship Abuse in Schools and on School Buses