This area manages the contracts for pupil transportation services with Grand Prairie Transit and operates two mini-buses.
Highlights
- Partnerships with the District's provider for transportation services is critical to a successful program
- Transportation Quality Committee focuses on three broad aims:
- Safe Students
- Satisfied Customers
- Effective and Efficient Use of Resources
- The District's CHARACTER COUNTS! program is integrated with the Transportation Program
While posting school bus schedules online is certainly convenient, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) warned that doing so can pose risks of child abductions, terrorist attacks and other unwanted scenarios. District 59 will not post bus schedules to the District web site.
Alternatives include mailing bus schedules directly to parents in the summer mailing and having schedules available at the school office.
Free Riders - School District 59 provides free bus transportation for students (grades 1-8) residing at a distance of 1.5 or more miles from the school to which they are assigned for attendance. The Board of Education has established certain areas less than 1.5 miles from school which are classified as eligible for free transportation. Each school can provide details of such areas to interested parents. Kindergarten students residing more than one mile from school will be transported at no charge.
Pay Riders - Students not eligible for free bus service, excluding tuition-based preschool students, may choose to pay for bus service on an annual basis providing an existing stop and space on the bus is available. No new stops will be added for any new pay rider. Families choosing to pay for bus service may pay the annual fee in two equal payments due in August and January.
The 2012/13 bus fee is $320 and is set annually by the Board of Education. The annual bus fee cannot be pro-rated, waived or refunded.
Activity Buses - Activity buses are available to junior high and some elementary school students after school. Busing students who are involved in after-school clubs, sports and other activities may ride the after-school activity bus.
Special Education - Transportation and Special Educational Services work jointly to coordinate special education transportation consistent with each special education student's IEP. Parents of special education students picked up at their homes are requested to call the Grand Prairie at 847.343.6434.
Routes and Stops - Scheduled bus routes and stops are assigned to accommodate the most centrally located population. Generally, buses do not stop at more than every other block (corner). Heavy traffic or inclement weather can prevent drivers from maintaining the scheduled stop times. Students are encouraged to wait until the bus arrives and parents are encouraged to have a contingency plan in place should the student miss the bus. Drivers do not stop if students are not in sight or waiting at the bus stop. If buses are more than 10 minutes past their scheduled stop time, information can be obtained by contacting the school or Grand Prairie Bus company.
Route Assignments - Every effort is made to promptly address changes to assigned bus routes. Route changes require a minimum of 3-5 days advance notice before taking effect. No changes will be implemented during the first two weeks of school.
Bus Conduct
Following are a few short, simple, and easy to remember rules that will help everyone enjoy a safe and pleasant bus ride! Always remember…..
Do what your driver asks.
Keep your seat on the seat.
Use inside voices only.
No eating or drinking while on the bus.
At the Bus Stop …
Stay well off the roadway at all times while waiting for the bus.
Be at the designated bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled pick up time.
Students must cross the road in front of the bus only when the stop arm is out and the flashers are operating.
Students must board and depart the bus at their assigned stop.
If anything is dropped when getting on or off the bus, do not pick it up.Tell the driver first so he/she may assist the student.
Students may be required to show bus passes or student identification when boarding buses.
Bus Transportation Discipline Guidelines Procedures
District 59 staff members continually encourage students to behave safely and responsibly and will take corrective steps when necessary. While every child is unique, the schools follow these general guidelines:
The first time improper behavior is reported, the building administrator will meet individually with the student.
A second incident may result in a letter or parent conference to discuss corrective action.
A third incident may result in a loss of bus riding privileges for a period of several days. During this time, the parent will be responsible for transporting the student.
Severe incidents or recurring misbehavior may result in suspension from the bus. Parents will be expected to provide transportation services.
If a student damages a bus, parents could bear the expense of the repair.
All students must follow the district's school bus safety guidelines. Gross disobedience or misconduct providing grounds for suspension from riding the school bus include:
Prohibited student conduct as defined in the Student Discipline policy.
Willful injury or threat of injury to a bus driver or to another rider.
Willful and/or repeated defacement of the bus.
Repeated use of profanity.
Repeated willful disobedience of the bus driver's or other supervisor's directives.
Such other behavior as the administrator deems to threaten the safe operation of the bus and/or its occupants.
The district's regular suspension procedures shall be used to suspend a student's privilege to ride a school bus. Parent(s)/guardian(s) of a student whose privilege to ride a school bus has been suspended shall be responsible for the transportation of the student. Certain misconduct may be grounds for other disciplinary action as appropriate under the District's general disciplinary policy.
Parents Need to Know
One of the most important contributions to safety is the encouragement and enforcement of good student behavior while waiting for and riding the bus. This is the responsibility foremost of the students; however parents, District 59 staff and the drivers all play important roles in assuring a child's safety.First, review the Student Expectations with your child and reinforce the importance of the bus safety guidelines. Cooperation with the driver and staff is paramount to maintaining good order and a pleasant experience for all.
Parents/guardians of kindergarten students, Special Education students and eligible Pre-School students are expected to meet the bus. Students who are not met will be returned to the school.
Parents wishing to discuss issues related to transportation services should contact their school administrator or Transportation Services at 847.593.4318.
Reminders for Motorists
Parents and community members can support bus drivers by being good safety examples to their children and by being courteous to bus drivers. Here are a few reminders:
It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus (with flashing red lights and the stop arm extended) from either direction on two-lane roads. Traffic on four-lane roads going in the opposite direction does not have to stop.
A school bus must stop at all railroad crossings with or without children by using emergency lights.
School buses make frequent stops and wide turns.
Use of Video Cameras on School Buses
Video cameras may be used on school buses as necessary in order to monitor, conduct and maintain a safe environment for students and employees. Appropriate disciplinary action may be taken for misconduct that is recorded or observed from the camera.Only those people with a legitimate educational or administrative purpose may view the videotapes. In most instances, individuals with a legitimate educational or administrative purpose will be the Board of Education, Superintendent, Building Principal, Transportation Coordinator, bus driver, sponsor, coach or other supervisor. If the content of a videotape becomes the subject of a student disciplinary hearing, it will be treated like other evidence in the proceeding. Release of the information contained on the videotape shall conform to the Illinois School Student Records Act and the Federal Education Right to Privacy Act, where applicable.
