Transportation

My child missed the bus. How do I get them to school?

If a parent can drive the child to school, the bus will provide transportation after school, as usual. If the parent cannot drive the child to school, please call the Transportation Department at 331-228-5180 so that we can assist you further.

My child does not qualify for transportation service, but goes to a babysitter that does qualify for transportation service. Can my child ride the bus to and from the babysitter?

No, transportation service is based on the home address.

Can my child ride on a different route than they are assigned? (Examples: my child is staying at a friend's house who takes a different bus home from school or my child's sitter is on a different bus route.)

Students should only take the bus route they are assigned to. If an emergency occurs and the student needs to take an alternate route, the parent should call the Transportation Department to make the arrangements. (Have your student's school information ready.)

We live on a cul-de-sac. Will the bus come down our street?

Except for special education circumstances, buses are generally not routed into a cul-de-sac. Cul-de-sac stops are considered unwise for the following reasons:

• Cul-de-sac stops create blind spots often causing students to enter or exit in a danger zone around the bus (at a corner stop or street curb stop, they enter/exit outside the danger zone).
  
• Maneuvering a bus in a cul-de-sac is difficult.
  
• The rear of the bus has potential to swing around close to the sidewalk.
  
• Parked cars and other obstacles create road hazards that may not be seen until entering the cul-de-sac and at a point of no return.
  
• Backing up a bus when students are on board is strictly forbidden.
  
• Property damage to mailboxes and landscaping.
  

How far can a bus stop be from the student's home?

Bus stops may be up to 1/2 mile from the student's residence. The stops in District 303 are far less than 1/2 mile from students' residences.

Why can't you call when you know the bus will be late?

There are as many as 50-60 students on each bus. For minor delays, it would be impossible to contact everyone in such a short time frame and many parents are not home or waiting at the stop for their child. A principal may choose to send a Finalsite (formerly Parentlink) notice to the school community if the bus will be significantly delayed.

Why can't you come further into my subdivision or cul-de-sac?

Buses come in various lengths, widths, heights and weights. The length is what limits the school bus to be maneuvered in cul-de-sacs and tight places. Most subdivisions are not designed with school bus transportation in mind.

Why are only a few students on some buses and my child's bus is crowded?

Decisions regarding each bus route are made by careful planning based on information from school registration, previous similar routes and Department of Transportation data. Most routes are fixed in late summer, with changes made after the first three weeks of school or sooner. Distance from school, number of buses and drivers, and grouping of students and neighborhoods are all factors that are considered. Sometimes it is just not possible to have the exact number of students on every run.

Why is there an address stop on the route if buses don't make home stops?

Address stops may occur for a special education student on a regular route, mid-point on a long street, on a four-lane road, or on a mid-day kindergarten route.

My child carries a large musical instrument and/or heavy backpack. He is the only student using the stop. It needs to be closer to our home.

Bus stops are centrally located for all students along a route. Bus stops are not changed to accommodate one or more students because that may displace other students further from their home.

I leave for work early and can't watch my child get on the bus. Can't the stop be at my home?

In order to be consistent and fair in placement of bus stops, District 303 is not able to establish stops based on personal circumstances.

My child is starting Kindergarten. Will the bus pick my child up in front of the house?

There are no special laws or requirements for transporting students enrolled in kindergarten. Kindergarten students are eligible for transportation services if they live more than 1.5 miles from the school. A.M. kindergarten students ride the elementary school bus to school and a special mid-day bus home. P.M. kindergarten students ride a mid-day bus to school and take the elementary bus home. Mid-day buses make stops for kindergarten students at their home whenever possible. Kindergarten students will not be dropped off without a parent or authorized guardian visible to receive the student. If no one is home to receive the student, that student will be returned to the school and the parent will have to make arrangements to pick the student up from the school.

My family needs a pick up and drop off at two different locations. Can this be accommodated?

Provided that both locations are within the same school boundary, separate pick up and drop off locations will be considered. Please complete the D303 Transportation Exception Form to begin the request process.

Why is my child's bus late?

Weather, traffic, driver absenteeism, maintenance difficulties and unforeseen incidents are responsible for delays in arrival of school buses. Please know that we do everything humanly possible to have all buses running on schedule each and every day. In the event your bus does not arrive as scheduled, contact Transportation at 331-228-5180. Please allow 10-20 minutes before calling.

The bus drives right past my house. Why can't it stop at my house?

The higher frequency of stops makes the motoring public impatient. This results in people driving around the bus, a dangerous situation. It also delays the bus by increasing the number of stops and make the student ride time longer. Stops are placed to be convenient for groups of students in the subdivision.

I can't see the bus stop from my house.

District 303 provides transportation for over 10,000 students. We are not able to position bus stops so that all parents are able to see the stop from their home.

Why do some children have to cross the street to board the bus?

We are not able to route buses so that all children can board the bus on the door side. We suggest if you prefer, that children wait on the side of the street where they reside. The bus will stop traffic in all directions to accommodate students that need to cross the street.

I would like to submit a comment about a specific bus. How should I proceed?

As required by law, the school district has a driving hotline number. If you would like to make a compliment or complaint, please call the driving hotline and leave a message. The messages are transcribed and presented to the bus driver for review and response. When calling the driving hotline, please include the following information:

The Bus number which is on the bus and/or the Trans number which is displayed on the white sheet in the window.

When and where the incident occurred. Please include both a date and time.

• A description of the event being reported.
  
• The driving hotline number is 630-587-7100.
  

How can I look up my student's bus route?

Student bus route information can be viewed in Home Access Center. The "Bus Routes" section near the top of this webpage provides complete instructions on where to find it. 

District 303 Transportation takes great pride in their record of safety and service to the students and families of the District. These transportation pros know that both drivers and passengers have to work together in order to ensure a safe ride to school.

• Students who use our bus service can greatly increase their own safety by following a few easy guidelines:
  
• Be on time for the bus.
  
• Use caution when entering or exiting the bus.
  
• Stay on your side of the road - far from traffic.
• Wait for the bus to stop and for your driver to signal to cross.
• Check traffic in both directions - then check it again!
• Cross the street directly and do not linger in the road.
• Walk at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
• Never crawl under a school bus
• Keep hands, feet, head in the bus at all times.
  
• Avoid using gadgets near buses. Headphones, cell phones, MP3 players distract from knowing when a bus is approaching.
  
• Remove, shorten or replace drawstrings on backpacks and clothing as they can catch in school bus doors.
  

• Observe classroom conduct.
  
• Be courteous, use no profane language.
  
• Do not eat or drink on the bus.
  
• Keep the bus clean.
  
• Co-operate with the driver.
  
• Do not smoke.
  
• Do not damage bus or equipment.
  

• Stay in your seat.
  
• Don't push or shove; don't yell or shout.
  
• Keep head, hands, and feet inside the bus.
  
• Seats will be assigned within the first weeks of school by name and grade level.
  
• Have a safe trip.