Greetings Parents:
Here are some important things to know about student transportation for this school year. All district bus routes and schedules will be posted on our website (view bus routes). The routes will indicate all stops the buses will make and the times. Please select the stop that is closest to your address. If you are uncertain about which stop to select you may contact your local school office. If you are uncertain if your student is a bus rider, please also contact your local school office.
There will be a morning and afternoon shuttle bus from Ogden and Cossitt Schools to Barnsdale Early Childhood Center. Early-day and Late-day route service for Park Jr. High will resume as well as the morning Band routes. Last year a Dual Language (Permissive Transfer) bus route was added that will continue this year, as well as a Forest Road and Congress Park activity bus on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
It is important to note the arrival times of the buses to each stop. The stop times are not exact, but are estimates. Allow an extra 10-15 minutes per stop for gap times due to uncontrollable events. There may be longer than usual delays and wait times at the bus stops or unanticipated, last-minute changes such as switching the children to a different bus. Please be prepared to be flexible and ready for these unforeseen changes. Also, note that smaller children should always be accompanied to the bus stops and monitored by an adult or older child. Parents or guardians should be available or make appropriate arrangements to receive the children in the afternoon when dismissed from the bus.
Bus riders are expected to follow the guidelines for conduct as outlined in the district handbook and discipline policy. All Park Jr. High bus riders will be required to wear and show bus IDs to enter the bus. Failure to adhere to any of the district student transportation guidelines and requirements can result in having bus riding privileges suspended.
The district now uses FirstView which is a GPS application tool that will allow you to track the location of your child’s bus. Detailed instructions are available via the district website on using the FirstView app. If you need further assistance on signing up for the FirstView app you may contact your school’s front office.
FirstView App - Bus Tracking
To contact the bus company in the event of an emergency, you may call First Student Bus Company at (708) 352-9050. If you have any questions or concerns about general bus service and routes, you may contact Tonisha Sibley, Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations at the Administrative Center at (708) 215-7003 or by email at sibleyto@dist102.k12.il.us.