Special School Bus Route Information:

First Student:
Phone:  309-694-8026

Who is Special Transportation Available For? 
Special transportation will be provided for students who are eligible because of their disability or the location of their program.  Otherwise they will ride the regular school bus or walk to school.  Curb to curb bus service is arranged by the Transportation Dept. for students who need it. School bus safety standards are always followed. 

When will your child’s bus ride start? 
Every effort is made to arrange transportation as quickly as possible.  It takes an average of three (3) working days for the school bus ride to be arranged.  Parents may be asked to transport their child for a maximum of two weeks. 

If you move, will your child ride the same bus? 
An address change may require a bus change.  Parents should call the Special Services Office in advance to give them the date you are moving, the new address and phone number.  If you move into a new school district, transportation will no longer be provided for your child. 

What if a student is picked up and dropped off at an address other than their home? 
Bus routes can allow for one address for the pick-up and one address for the drop-off, five (5) days a week.  One-day changes cannot be made.  Try to keep the day care address close to home. 

Can the pick-up and drop-off time change from day to day? 
Special education school bus routes vary according to the needs of each student riding.  Allow for a 5 to 10 minute leeway both morning and afternoon.  Be ready and watching for the school bus five (5) minutes before it’s scheduled to arrive.  The school bus waits momentarily for the student and will not honk.
 

School Bus Driver & Bus Monitor Responsibilities:

What are the school bus driver’s responsibilities? 
School bus drivers are professional drivers with special training and special licensing.  They work directly for the First Student.  They are responsible for driving the bus safely, transporting the students and staying on time.  Because of tight routing they can only wait momentarily at a bus stop before going on. Drivers are told not to blow the horn at      bus stops.  If there is not a bus monitor, the driver performs the monitor’s duties. 

What are the school bus monitors’ responsibilities? 
The school bus monitor works with the driver to be sure all the students are safe on the bus.  They secure seat belts, wheelchairs, necessary supports, etc.  The monitor maintains discipline, sees that students remain buckled in their seats, and reports problems to the schools.  The monitor seeks emergency medical help when needed.  They are provided on the buses where they are most needed. 

Can a bus monitor come to the door to pick-up and drop-off a student? 
Bus monitors can only work with students in the area in and around the bus. 
 

Parent Responsibilities:

What are the parent’s responsibilities? 
Have your child fully clothed, toileted and ready at the bus stop 5 minutes before pick-up time.  Accompany your child to the curb.  If your child has not ridden for more than 3 days, the bus will stop coming until you call the Special Services Office to restart your child.  Notify the Special Services Office in advance if your address, phone number or day care arrangements change. 

If your child misses the bus, can it come back? 
The driver cannot come back because of traffic and other route trips.  Transport your child to school as quickly as possible. 

What’s the parents’ responsibility at drop-off time? 
Be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to drop off your child.  Meet your child at the curb so that the driver can make custodial transfer of your child to you or another responsible person.  Students who are not met may be taken to the police station to wait for their parents to pick them up if other arrangements cannot be made. 

How can a parent help to make the school bus safe? 
Teach your child the school bus safety rules and appropriate bus-riding behavior. 

Why must the parent fill out an emergency information form? 
State Board of Education rules require that the driver have emergency and health information in the bus for each student.     Parents must provide this information.  This information is required before the student can ride the bus.

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