Transportation

Bus stops are created based on state guidelines and transportation standards to ensure safety and efficiency. Hawthorn bus stops are generally on corners and within a two-block walk. Middle school bus stops may not be the same as elementary stops. Students must use the designated stop. Drivers are not authorized to make changes to bus stops. 

For temporary transportation changes, provide a written request to the school office at least three school days in advance or contact the office directly.

For same-day changes, complete the temporary transportation change form.

Deadlines vary by school, so please reach out to your school office with any questions.

As a part of the registration process, families were asked to share alternative transportation requests.  If you did not indicate an alternate address(es) at that time, you may still update your request by contacting your child’s school. 

Bus routes do not serve all childcare facilities or neighborhoods. A daycare facility needs to be on your home boundary. It is highly recommended that you ask the daycare facility if they provide transportation to and/or from your child’s school. It is the responsibility of the parent making arrangements to ensure that the child’s transportation is secured.

During the first weeks of school, bus routes may take longer as we adjust to new routes and limit the number of students on each bus. Students should arrive at their assigned bus stop 10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. As students become familiar with the process, routes will become more consistent and efficient. However, students should continue to arrive 5-10 minutes early, as weather and traffic can impact timing.

Hawthorn schools follow a detailed dismissal schedule to ensure each child reaches their destination safely. Classrooms are dismissed in waves, and staff carefully check bus passes as students are escorted to the bus. Early in the school year, buses may not leave school grounds until 20 to 25 minutes after the final bell. This time will shorten as students become more comfortable with the dismissal routine.

You will be asked to update and verify your residency, including any apartment number changes, with our registrar located in the District Office. Parents will be responsible for transportation temporarily if a new route and/or bus stop is needed. This usually takes 3 days after all residency documents have been approved.

Yes. The pick-up line for all vehicles is a single file line. Be watchful and patient of other vehicles, pedestrians and all Hawthorn staff. If your student is not using the bus service for a specific day or time frame you must send a written note to the school office 24 hours in advance, except Middle Schools, advising who will be picking up the student. The person picking up the child may be asked for identification.

Personal items are the responsibility of each student. Neither Hawthorn nor the transportation company is responsible for lost or stolen items. However, it is the policy of the bus company to keep common items such as lunch bags or jackets on the bus for the student to retrieve during the next ride. In the event that personal items, such as cell phones or district devices, are left on the bus, district personnel will coordinate with the bus company to safely return materials to the district and arrange for pick-up.

Option-to-Pay Bus Service 

*Paid busing is for students living in the purple-shaded area of the maps linked below*

Map: Elementary North, Townline, Dual Language, Middle School North

Map: Elementary South, Aspen, Young Learners, Middle School South

If space is available, this service is offered for students living less than 1.5 miles from school. As a part of the registration process, families were given the opportunity to request paid transportation.  If your situation has changed since the time you registered, you may still request paid transportation by contacting Jennifer Ezop at transportation@hawthorn73.org. A fee of $430.00 will be added to your child’s Power School account during the first week of school and can be paid through RevTrak. This fee is due by September 30th. 

Contact your child’s school and please have the following information ready: 

1. The school your child attends

2. The bus route

3. The bus stop