Transportation & Bus Information

The bus driver and bus aide are in charge of the bus and their directions must be followed.

No kindergarten student is allowed to wait alone at a bus stop for pick up. A parent/guardian or authorized contact person must accompany the student and wait with them until they are safely on the bus. The bus has many stops to make and must not be delayed. A parent/guardian should always plan to be at your bus stop several minutes before the bus is expected. NOTE: Bus driver is not allowed to stop at individual students' homes; only at designated bus stops.

Students must get on and off the bus at their designated bus stop only.

Parent/guardian is responsible for making sure the student boards the correct bus. The Kindergarten bus is the property of Skokie School District 73.5, which is printed on the side of the bus.

Good behavior and conduct are expected while riding the bus. Students must: face forward in seat, buckle seat belt and keep it buckled until time to exit the bus (the bus aide will assist students), remain seated until time to leave the bus, keep hands to self, remain quiet and use proper language, make sure to take all personal belongings when leaving the bus.

Eating on the bus is not allowed.

After school, a parent/guardian or authorized adult contact must meet the student at the designated bus stop. No student will be allowed to leave the bus alone.

Parent/guardian or authorized contact must be able to provide photo ID and be listed as an authorized contact on the student's registration paperwork.

If there is no authorized adult contact or parent/guardian to pick up the student from the bus stop, the student will be returned to the school. The office will contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) and, if necessary, any and all authorized contacts until someone is reached who can pick up the child from school.

Bus riding privileges may be revoked at any time if these rules are not followed.

These rules are subject to change. If any changes occur, parents/guardians will be contacted.

Parent/Guardian/Student Responsibilities

• A student is expected to be at their assigned bus stop a few minutes early.
• At the end of the school day, students must go directly to their designated bus.
• For students in 6th through 8th grade, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are on the bus before it leaves the school.
• Students must get on and off the bus at their designated bus stop only.

I understand that if my child misses the bus, it is my responsibility to transport them to and/or from school. I also acknowledge that if my child is involved in extracurricular activities, serving a detention, or staying after school for any other reason, it is my responsibility to arrange for their transportation from school. I further acknowledge that the District is not responsible for any damages or injuries incurred if my child misses the bus or chooses to walk or get to or from school by other means.

I agree to pay all associated Bus Fees and understand that my child will not be assigned to a bus stop or be allowed to ride the bus until bus fees have been paid. I have reviewed the Bus Riding Guidelines with my child and agree to abide by them.

The bus driver is in charge of the bus and their directions must be followed. The driver is not a disciplinarian: they have only one task - to drive the bus safely. Students must conduct themselves in a manner that will insure safe transportation for themselves, other passengers, and the driver. Bus riding privileges will be revoked if a student does not abide by the guidelines. Parents/guardians will always be informed when a student's bus riding privileges have been revoked. Parents/guardians always have the right to request a meeting with the building principal to review the circumstances that necessitated the revocation of bus riding privileges.

Good behavior and conduct are expected while riding the bus. Students must avoid the following:

• throwing items in or out of the bus
• leaning out of window or tampering with windows
• yelling, excessive noise, rowdy or "horseplay" behavior
• inciting other students to misbehave
• getting out of seats while the bus is moving
• fighting
• use of profanity

Each bus driver has been instructed to report instances of misbehavior to the bus supervisor or principal. In extreme cases, the bus driver will return a student or the entire busload of students to school for corrective action by the principal.

Upon boarding the bus, students will move to the rear and occupy the first available seat unless the building principal has assigned students to specific seats. Students will not save seats for friends. Students must not attempt to enter a bus or leave their seats until the bus comes to a full and complete stop.

Students must always be seated when the bus is in motion.

The bus stop corner can be dangerous with inappropriate behavior. Students must not play in the street and misuse the thoroughfares. If the school is informed of such behavior, parents/guardians will be notified. It is always helpful if parents/guardians visit or observe the neighborhood bus stops periodically.

Students must not litter or deface the bus.

Skokie School District 73.5 buses are equipped with seat belts. It is the policy of the Board of Education that all students use a seat belt when riding on a district bus. (The regular bus routes that use the contracted bus company may have buses equipped with seat belts.)

Parent/Guardian/Student Responsibilities

• A student is expected to be at their assigned bus stop a few minutes early.
• At the end of the school day, students must go directly to their designated bus.
• For students in 6th through 8th grade, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are on the bus before it leaves the school.
• Students must get on and off the bus at their designated bus stop only.

I understand that if my child misses the bus, it is my responsibility to transport them to and/or from school. I also acknowledge that if my child is involved in extracurricular activities, serving a detention, or staying after school for any other reason, it is my responsibility to arrange for their transportation from school. I further acknowledge that the District is not responsible for any damages or injuries incurred if my child misses the bus or chooses to walk or get to or from school by other means.

I agree to pay all associated Bus Fees and understand that my child will not be assigned to a bus stop or be allowed to ride the bus until bus fees have been paid. I have reviewed the Bus Riding Guidelines with my child and agree to abide by them.