BUS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

Jan 28, 09 | 12:06 pm

ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING 2008-2009 TRANSPORTATION CLAIMS:

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 will prevent the State Board from sending checks out for any Parent/Guardian Transportation claim that you filed for this past spring (for the 2008-2009 school year). Parents who filed claims were notified via mail as soon as we received this information from the state. Any additional information will be provided just as soon as it is received from the state.

TRANSPORTATION DOCUMENTS:

2009/10 School Year:

• Transportation Guidelines 2009/10 (Español)
• Day Care Bus Rider Alternate Stop 2009/10 (English/Español)
• Option-to-Pay Bus Service 2009/10 (English/Español)
• Letter Regarding Route Consistency/Corner Stops (English/Español)

NOTES ABOUT THE BUS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM:

Bus Route Development

Beginning in the 2009/10 school year, Hawthorn will move all stops to corners or "corner-like" positions that should remain fairly constant from year to year. This change to consistent neighborhood stops, which comes in response to parent feedback, is expected to reduce rider confusion as well as aid in the consistency of route schedules. Hawthorn works with Lakeside Transportation (our bus company) to develop routes that are safe and efficient.

Bus riders may request transportation to one babysitter/daycare stop if that stop is within the attendance area of your child's school. To request a stop, please complete a Bus Route Information for Childcare Form for the appropriate school year (see forms 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 Office at 847-990-4260.

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 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.

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.

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.)

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 in their Kindergarten Registration Packets (received during the Kindergarten Parent Information Meeting held in late January or early February of the year prior to enrollment). For more information, please contact the Transportation Hotline at 847-990-4260.

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.

Should you want to provide feedback about your transportation experience, please contact the Hawthorn Transportation Hotline at 847-990-4260 or the District Office at 847-990-4200. General comments, suggestions and questions may also be emailed to transportation@hawthorn73.org Please include your name, phone number, address, child's school and bus route number with your correspondence.

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.

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.