August 2023
Dear Parents and School Bus Riders,
Welcome to the 2023 – 2024 school year
The School District of Waukesha is looking forward to providing another year of safe and efficient school bus transportation! It's time once again to inform parents and children about bus transportation. Please read this notice very carefully as there have been important changes in how bus information is shared with parents. Approximately one week before school starts, bus route information will be available.
Bus Route Notification
Public School Families: To access your child’s bus route information, you will need to log into your Infinite Campus (IC) parent portal account. Bus route information can be found in your child’s IC summary page under the transportation tab. Bus route information will be listed under the bus detail with your child’s assigned pick-up point and the approximate time the bus will arrive at the listed stop location.
Private School Families: You will still receive an email from the Transportation Office that contains your children's name(s) and address, assigned pick-up point, and the approximate time the bus will arrive at the listed stop location.
Review Household/ Bus Assignment Information
Children's name(s) & address
In case the address in IC or email is not correct, please call the Enrollment/Transportation Office to ensure they will be on the correct route. If you move within the Waukesha School District during the school year, contact the Enrollment/Transportation Office at least 7 days before your move so that bussing may be arranged if your children are still eligible for bus services.
Pick-up & drop-off location
Children must board the bus at the stop location which has been assigned. Bus drivers will have a printout with the names of children who are assigned to each stop location to verify an accurate count. For example, if four riders are assigned to a stop location and more than four board the bus, the riders who are not assigned to that stop location will be reported to the school. The printouts will be updated regularly so that all drivers know which students are assigned to each route. Bus drivers periodically use their roster to take attendance during the school year.
Pick-up & drop-off time
Children should arrive at their assigned bus stop location at least five minutes before the indicated pick-up time. This is especially important for the first two weeks until the bus route is settled in. After that, however, parents should call First Student bus company if the bus arrival time is inconsistent.
Morning, mid-day, and afternoon route numbers
The last two digits of the bus route number are posted next to the front entrance of each school bus. The numbers for the morning route may be different from the numbers for the afternoon route. Please assist your children in memorizing the bus route number(s) so they will always board the correct school bus.
School Bus Routes
Please do not expect that bus routes will be the same as in previous years. Bus routes often change from year to year. Here are some of the considerations used in determining routes:
Most bus stops have been assigned so that each stop location will serve several riders, such as centralized corner stops.
Driveway stop locations are permitted only on main highways or if the rider has a disabling condition that has been identified through IEP-team evaluation or physician; Driveway stop locations may be provided in some situations on mid-day kindergarten routes. Please do not ask to arrange driveway stop locations unless there is a medical reason or if the area is an unusual hazard. An area may be deemed hazardous by the administration, with consultation with the bus company's safety department or, in some cases, with the Waukesha Sheriff's Department for its evaluation.
If your child rides a ‘regular’ bus and becomes temporarily in need of special services due to the use of crutches, walkers, or a wheelchair, adjustments in transportation may need to be made. Contact the Transportation Coordinator to discuss the situation as small accessible bussing may need to be set up.
Bus Rider Safety Rules/Video and Audio Surveillance
We all recognize the importance of safety. Please review and discuss the included safety rules with your children so that they will be thoroughly familiar with them. Violation of these rules may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from the bus.
The Waukesha School District is dedicated to providing children with the best educational experience possible. This includes school bus transportation with buses equipped with video and audio surveillance. We hope the coming year is a successful one for your children. If you have any questions or concerns about school bus transportation, please feel free to contact the Enrollment/Transportation Office.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Gennerman
Evonne Johnson Deputy Superintendent Transportation Coordinator
The school bus safety rules and procedures which are enumerated below are adopted to assure the safety of all bus riders and to provide the best service possible.
Permission for children eligible to ride a school bus is conditioned on his/her good behavior and observance of the following rules, regulations, and procedures. Children who violate any of these shall be reported to the Building Principal or the Assistant Principal and may be denied the privilege of riding the school bus to and/or from school.
1 Prior to loading (on the road and at the school)
Wait at the assigned school bus stop location Do not try to board the bus at another bus stop location You will not be allowed to do so unless you have appropriate written authorization
Arrive at your pick-up location at least five (5) minutes before your assigned pick-up time and be sure to check the route numbers so you board the correct bus.
Wait in a safe area while waiting for the bus
Do not move toward the school bus at the designated stop until the bus has been brought to a complete stop Watch for the driver's signal if crossing the street
2 While on the bus
Remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion.
Keep hands, head, and other body parts inside the bus at all times after entering the bus or until leaving the bus
Assist in keeping the bus safe and clean.
Keep aisles clear of all items such as musical instruments, athletic equipment, carrying cases, etc. Loose items, bats, skateboards, etc., may not be brought on the bus. Such equipment shall be kept in a bag or a case Large items that can not be placed on the student's lap should not be brought on the bus
Keep the noise down Remember that loud talking and laughing or unnecessary confusion diverts a bus driver's attention and may create a serious safety hazard.
Treat bus equipment with care Property damage, including the cost to repair such damage, will charged to the individual(s) causing the damage.
Do not throw anything out of the bus windows
"Horseplay" is not permitted near or on the school bus Such behavior could result in property damage and/or harm to an individual for which an offender would be responsible.
A quiet bus is necessary when approaching a stop for railroad crossings
Use, possession, sale, distribution, or being under the influence of tobacco products/alcohol/ drugs and other such violations are prohibited Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or removal from the school bus.
In case of emergency, remain on the bus unless otherwise directed by the bus driver
Eating and drinking is not allowed on the school bus
3 After leaving the bus
City of Waukesha and Rural Stop Locations: Red light and stop arm
After getting off the bus, if crossing the road (cross at least ten feet in front of the bus) look to be sure no traffic is approaching from either direction and then only upon the driver's signal to proceed If not crossing the street, move away from the bus immediately
Hazard lights (4-way flashers) at controlled intersections only
After getting off the bus, stay clear of the bus on the sidewalk After the bus has gone, check traffic carefully from all directions and cross only at the crosswalks.
Bus drivers are not allowed to discharge children at places other than each student's designated bus stop location unless by appropriate written authorization from the school.
4. Responsibilities of parents, principals, and bus drivers
Expectations of the Parent/Guardian:
● Inform their child of the bus rules and expectations for behavior
● Discuss the consequences of violating bus rules
● Make sure their child arrives at the pickup location at least (5) five minutes before pick-up time.
● Work with the principal or secretary for any request for a temporary pass to use another stop or bus
● Refer any concerns the child has over bussing or bus drivers to the principal.
● Ask your child to consider the bus to be an extension of school, and the use of cell phones should be used only in an emergency
Parents shall assume responsibility for the behavior of their children while riding a school bus. If permission to ride the school bus is revoked, the parent/guardian is solely responsible for transportation to and from school safely.
Expectations of Principal/Secretary:
● Follow through with students on discipline reports from bus drivers
● Follow the SDW bus management procedures.
● Create an assigned seating chart if necessary
● Consequences for violations of safety rules include but are not limited to discussing the incident with the student, conference with the parent, and disciplinary action up to and including removal from the bus
● Principal/ Secretary maintains general information from the Transportation Office on stop ○ locations, lists of eligible riders, etc.
● Principal/ Secretary may issue “temporary bus passes” to eligible riders for current stop locations only
Expectations of the Bus Driver:
● Bus driver is consistent on stop locations, times, rules, and follows "discipline tips" to avoid discipline problems, etc
● Bus driver reports misconduct to principals verbally and/or by using proper forms with complete description of behaviors of concern.
● Bus driver reports to First Student stop locations that may need changing due to unsafe ○ conditions or temporary road closures
The Board authorizes the use of video cameras on school buses as a means to monitor and maintain a safe environment for students and employees. The video cameras shall be used on buses used for transportation to and from school, field trips, curricular events, and extracurricular events The contents of the video may be used as evidence in a student disciplinary proceeding Viewing of video is limited to individuals having a legitimate purpose.
Matters related to violations of school bus rules and procedures shall be handled in accordance to:
8600 Transportation
5516 Student Hazing
5517 Student Anti-Harassment
5517 01 Bullying
5600 Student Discipline
5600.01 Disciplinary Consequences for Student Misconduct
5610 Student Suspension
5630 Corporal Punishment
5780 Student/Parent Rights