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Bus Transportation Information

Hawthorn School District 73 is excited to welcome grades K-8 back to school on August 24, 2023 and Pre-K students on August 28, 2023.  Bus route information will be updated in PowerSchool as the new school year approaches. Notification will be sent out via BrightArrow when times and routes are available.

Bus Freeze Information

Tuesday, August 1, 2023 - Wednesday, August 23, 2023 

No changes will be made during this time. Changes will begin to be processed Thursday, August 24, 2023 in the order in which they were received.  If your request is received after the freeze deadline, it will be the responsibility of the family to provide transportation to and from school. Once the freeze is lifted families will be contacted with route information and transportation start date.

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.

Bus Route Development

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.

Day Care / 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. To request a stop, please read the Transportation Frequently Asked Questions document. You may also contact the District Office or send an email to: transportation@hawthorn73.org. All requests are addressed and incorporated as space allows. Note that daycare transportation information is not kept on file from year-to-year. No changes or requests will be processed August 1, 2023 through August 23, 2023. If your request is received during the bus freeze, it will be the responsibility of the family to provide transportation to and from daycare. If you have questions, please email transportation@hawthorn73.org or call the District’s Transportation Line at 847-990-4223.

Option-to-Pay Bus Service

Bus services are 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. The 23-24 annual fee will be $430 and added to your child's PowerSchool account during the first week of school. This fee is due in full by September 30th.  Full information is listed in the Transportation Frequently Asked Questions. 

Requests & Feedback

Should you want to provide feedback about your transportation experience, please email the District Transportation at transportation@hawthorn73.org or call:  847-990-4223. Please include your name, phone number, address, child’s school and bus route number with your messages.

General Transportation Calls

If you have transportation-related questions or need assistance, please call the District Transportation Line at 847-990-4223.

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.