Bus Buddies at Southdown School
When Southdown School Principal Michelle Marino started receiving reports of discipline problems on one of the buses there she implemented various interventions, but none of them worked. So she turned to a group of third graders, giving them an opportunity to take control of the situation through the use of appropriate strategies.
“They accepted my challenge and it’s working like a charm,” Mrs. Marino said. “The bus buddies meet with me every so often for lunch and we discuss what’s working and where they need assistance. They have done a remarkable job and I’m thrilled to say that we haven’t received one bus referral since they started.”
The program, known as “Bus Buddies,” is a hit with the students and the bus drivers, too. One driver interviewed said she thinks the youngsters “are doing a great job and the bus is much better behaved due to their efforts.”
Mrs. Marino knew she needed to do something when one particular bus was generating an inordinate amount of discipline referrals. “I attempted to address the problems by speaking with the children, helping them to understand the four bus rules; everyone stays in their seats, everyone keeps their seatbelts buckled, everyone keeps their hands to themselves and everyone uses a quiet voice,” she said. “I even went as far as giving assigned seats and taking away privileges as a result of discipline reports. All had little influence on the overall behavior on the bus.”
It was then that Mrs. Marino turned to Southdown third graders for help. “At first they had an uneasy feeling that they were in some sort of trouble but when we met and I explained my concerns and request for their assistance, they jumped into action,” she said. “Since that first meeting the Bus Buddies have done a remarkable job turning my most difficult bus into one of my most well behaved; and they did it all with kind words and a good example.”
Here’s how the program works: Third graders board the bus first and take seats, one to a row. The other children board the bus and sit on either side of a bus buddy. It’s that simple. “The Bus Buddies remind the students to put on their seatbelts and lend a hand when appropriate,” Mrs. Marino said. “The rest of the time is spent reminding the children of the rules and praising their good behaviors.”
“A couple of days, when we first started the job, we needed to remind them a lot to put on their seatbelts and stay seated,” student Arashdeep Singh said. “Now they listen to us and they’re learning.”
Third grader Marlon Rosales is settling into his role. “I feel more comfortable now telling them to stop doing things,” he said. “I’m happy because they’re listening.”
Student Joey Ramos said “Paper fights were the biggest problem in the beginning. We just took the paper away by saying ‘Please give me the paper.’ They did and we threw them away when leaving the bus. They don’t do that anymore.”
The program provided third grader Dayana Velasquez with a feeling of satisfaction. “I feel proud of myself because I don’t need to remind them to put on their seatbelts that much anymore,” she said. “They remember and now they’re safe.”
Periodic meetings between the students and Mrs. Marino focus on how things are going on the bus, their challenges and their small victories.
The program has worked so well it’s going to expand to a second bus and the original Bus Buddies will help with the training. “I’m so proud of them,” Mrs. Marino said.
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