Frequently Asked Questions
Transportation FAQ
What happens if my child leaves something (coat, lunchbox...) on the bus?
Usually the driver will attempt to return items left on the bus to the student. If the item is unmarked, and no one claims it within a day or two, the driver will take it to the school. If an item is needed immediately, please call our office to arrange a way to pick it up.
Why do I have to be at the stop five minutes early?
There are many factors that may affect the time a driver arrives at a given stop. Traffic volume has the most impact in our district, but weather issues, drivers waiting for dawdling students, or a substitute driving the route may also cause a driver to be late for a stop. These situations plus differences in clock times, have proven over the years that arriving about 5 minutes early gives a student an adequate window of time to ensure they catch the bus.
What time will students be bused on Monday - Delayed Start Schedule?
What do the bus numbers mean?
Our buses have four digit numbers printed on them: for example 99-78. The first two digits indicate the manufacture year, and the last two digits are the bus number and correspond to the route number. If you call our office and we ask for a bus number, we would expect to hear #78, from the example above.
Why can't I have a bus stop closer to my house?
Depending on where you live, and how close you are to the school or another bus stop, the location of your house may, or may not qualify for an additional bus stop. We evaluate bus stop requests using criteria developed by the Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction (OSPI) that allows us to objectively determine whether a hazardous walking condition exists that would require additional bus service.
How safe is school bus transportation?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), "school buses are the safest motor vehicles on the highways." Children are nearly eight times safer riding a school bus than riding with their own parents or peers.
Why is the bus yellow?
The short answer is because it is a very safe color as it is highly visible. In 1939 the color officially known as National School Bus Chrome was adopted at a conference that set national school bus construction standards for the first time.
How hard is it to drive a school bus?
Aside from rigorous and ongoing training in the operation of a school bus, as well as knowledge of and adherance to all of the state and local rules and regulations, a school bus driver must operate a vehicle that is 3 times longer and 5 times heavier than the largest SUVs. And they must safely operate this vehicle while transporting about 2.5 times as many students as the average classroom, and maintain student discipline while doing it.
What happens if a bus gets hurt?
We put bandages on it, of course!