District Information

In general, Hawthorn bus stops are at corners or “corner-like” positions that remain fairly constant from year to year. Hawthorn works with Lakeside Transportation (our bus company) to develop routes that are safe and efficient.

DAYCARE/BABYSITTER STOPS

Bus riders may request transportation to one babysitter/daycare stop if that stop is within the attendance area of your child’s school. Kindergarten families must also take into account morning/afternoon neighborhood routes to determine if the daycare/babysitter stop is serviced by a mid-day bus. To request a stop, please complete a Before or After School Care Information form for the appropriate school year (see form list above) and return it to your school or the District Office. All requests are addressed and incorporated as space allows. Note that daycare transportation information is not kept on file from year to year. If you require a childcare stop, you must complete this form each year. When requesting alternate stops, please keep in mind the Bus Freeze that takes effect in mid-summer through approximately the first month of school. If your request is received after the freeze deadline, it will be the responsibility of the family to provide transportation to and from daycare until about the fourth week of school. If you have questions, please call the District’s Transportation Line at 847-990-4260.

OPTION-TO-PAY BUS SERVICE

Bus services is provided to Hawthorn students who live more than 1.5 miles from their school. Option-to-pay bus service is available on a limited basis for students who live less than 1.5 miles from their school, and who do not automatically receive bus services. If you would like to participate in the option-to-pay bus service, please complete the Option-to-pay Bus Form for the appropriate school year (see form list above) and return it to the District Office or your school with payment. More information about bus service is available in the Transportation Guidelines posted above.

BUS FREEZE IN JULY

In an effort to create an efficient transportation experience, Hawthorn bus routes and service plans are created and then frozen. By holding routes and stops in place for several weeks before allowing general changes, we experience a much smoother transportation transition.

ROUTE INFORMATION MAILED IN AUGUST

Specific bus route information is mailed to each home in mid- to late-August. (For the security of our students, this information is not posted online.)

KINDERGARTEN BUS RIDER DRESS REHEARSAL

Each fall, our new Kindergarten bus riders have an opportunity to practice riding the bus during a special dress rehearsal practice bus route that takes place before school starts. During this practice time, families have the opportunity to take photos and see what it is like to get on and off the bus. A parent or guardian is allowed to accompany the Kindergarten student on the bus for the ride to school and back home. Families of Kindergarten bus riders receive information about the practice bus ride during Kindergarten registration, held each February of the year prior to enrollment. For more information, please contact the District Transportation Line at 847-990-4260.

PLEASE REMEMBER - FIRST WEEKS TAKE LONGER

Bus routes take longer during the first few weeks of school. Students often require a few more “good byes” before they get on the bus in the morning, which can slow the process. At the end of the day, schools take a great deal of time checking and rechecking bus passes to ensure that students are on the correct vehicles. In fact, in many cases the buses won’t leave the school parking lot for 15 or even 20 minutes until after the ending bell. Please keep this in mind during the first weeks of school.

REQUESTS AND FEEDBACK

Should you want to provide feedback about your transportation experience, please contact the District Transportation Line at 847-990-4260 or the District Office at 847-990-4200. General comments, suggestions and questions may also be sent via email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Please include your name, phone number, address, child’s school and bus route number with your messages.

GENERAL TRANSPORTATION CALLS

Calls about transportation situations may also be directed to your student’s school office. If a situation arises after the school offices are closed, please contact the 24-hour Lakeside Transportation Hotline at 847-263-7619. This line is always staffed, with operators able to locate key staff people as your call requires. Please note that the Lakeside facility remains staffed until all buses report in for the evening.

RULES FOR RIDING

Parents, please help us make bus riding a great experience by stressing the importance of safe and respectful bus riding. For key guidelines, please review A Few Safety Rules for Bus Riders as well as the Hawthorn Student/Parent Handbook.

INFORMATION REGARDING ILLINOIS TRANSPORTATION CLAIMS PROGRAM

On September 30, 2009, Hawthorn received formal notification from the Ilinois State Board of Education that a fiscal year 2010 appropriation was not awarded for the Parent/Guardian Transportation Reimbursement Program. The lack of funding for the 2010 fiscal year prevented the State Board from sending checks out for any Parent/Guardian Transportation claims that were filed beginning with the 2008-2009 school year. Parents who filed claims were notified via mail as soon as we received this information from the state. At this time, there is no indication that the Transportation Reimbursement Program will be reinstated.