Bibb school district has zero tolerance policy for bullying on school buses

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s National School Bus Safety Week. The Bibb County School District is getting ready to launch a new education program for students, but bus drivers are always up to date on their training.

This year’s theme is “Bully Free Zone.” With dozens of school buses driving hundreds of kids around, the Bibb County School District has a plan to make sure every student feels comfortable getting to and from school. 

The wheels on the bus go round and round all through Bibb County.

“We’re just an extension of the classroom,” explained Joy Connally, the district’s Bus Safety Supervisor. 

The buses carry previous cargo.

“Their parents are entrusting them to us. To make sure that we’re going to get them to school safely and we’re going to get them back home safely,” said Connally.

Every driver has mandatory training where they learn valuable every day safety lessons. 

“If students seem to be coming close to the bus when they’re approaching, then they need to stop and back away from the children. Not pull up to where they normally would stop,” said Connally.

Soon the district will start a new program called “SOAR.”

“That means safely, orderly and respectfully. We’re going to be going out to the schools and we’re going to be training these students on the danger zones around the bus,” explained Connally.

One bus driver didn’t want to do an on-camera interview, but he explained he has rules aside from the district’s on his bus to keep his kids safe. He said he has a zero tolerance policy for bullying.

“A lot of times, we have no way of knowing because it’s hard to actually concentrate on everything that’s going on behind you when they’re driving and having to watch the road,” said Connally. 

There are some signs drivers are taught to look for in a student.

“If you have a student that’s normally vibrant and real active and lively on the bus, but all of a sudden they seem withdrawn,” explained Connally.

Drivers are expected to ask the student if everything is okay. Parents can also report bullying to the district online.

“They don’t need to be afraid to do this. This is anonymous. It’s not like we’re going to go on the bus and call these kids out. It’s handled very discreetly,” explained Connally.

Because the Bibb County School District has a zero tolerance policy for bullying both in and out of the classroom. 

Monday was also Georgia School Bus Driver Appreciation Day.