Bus Routes

What are our expectations for student conduct?

Inappropriate conduct at bus stops, on District vehicles, or in the process of boarding or exiting from a vehicle may result in student disciplinary action including, but not limited to, denial of transportation privileges.

Listed below are some general rules to follow:

• All student conduct policies apply at bus stops.
• Obey the driver's instructions.
• Keep the aisles clear.
• Remain seated until the scheduled stop.
• Keep all body parts inside the vehicle.
• Do not yell or use vulgar or abusive language.
• Be respectful to the driver and others.
• Do not throw anything inside the vehicle or from the vehicle.
• No food or drink on the bus. (water ok).
• Tobacco use not allowed.
• School ID required to ride the bus.

Please refer to the Student Handbook for more information on transportation rules and regulations, and consequences for failure to comply with these rules. At the beginning of the school year all students receive the Awareness Contract, which includes policy regarding student conduct on district vehicles.

Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right. Suspension of bus riding privileges does not relieve parents of the responsibility of sending a child to school.

A: You have several options. Your child should always be met at the bus stop by a parent. You may, however, authorize us to drop off your child with other family members, friends or neighbors if necessary. Please have your child’s IEP team reflect these details on the IEP Pro Transportation Form. This is dependent upon the child’s age and disability of course and requires that you communicate clearly during the IEP meeting.

A: Bus arrival times can vary due to traffic and if other students are absent. The bus arrives at the drop off location, will wait two minutes and then depart. Please do not wait until you hear the bus before going outside to the drop off point. We do not call the home or walk to the door if nobody is outside to receive your child. Your child will be returned to school and must then be picked up by the family.

A: Call Transportation day or night if you do not need service. The number is 480-497-3311.

A: You should be outside with your child ready for school five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. If the bus arrives early, the driver will not depart until your child is on board or until two minutes after the scheduled pick-up time, whichever comes first. After the bus has waited past the pick-up time, they will leave and will not be sent back to pick up your child that day.

A: The bus will pick up your child at the assigned bus stop, which may be in front of your home, or at a centralized location if you live in an apartment complex, mobile home park, etc.

A: There are several parts to this answer. If you move to a new address, you must contact your child’s District Homeless Education Liaison or Foster Care Liaison to arrange for a change in services. Pick up and drop off may be two different addresses, but only one am pick up address and one pm drop off address is allowed. Again, there are no alternating day options and no temporary changes allowed.

Q: Can my general education student ride the bus with my special needs student?
A: It is against district policy to transport general education students alongside our special needs students.

GPS TRANSPORTATION RESPONSIBILITIES

GPS utilizes school buses, passenger vans and approved Vendors to transport students. Arizona’s child restraint statutes exempt school buses from compliance; however, if your child requires assistance with being seated, and weighs less than 40 pounds, we may utilize a bus car seat. Please feel free to discuss preferences and options with your child’s District Homeless Education Liaison or Foster Care Liaison, if your student has special needs, please refer to our Special Needs Transportation Policy.

All transportation personnel are CPR and First Aid trained and have received other training relating to transporting students. You may have a different morning and afternoon transportation team.

Drivers are not authorized to honk their horns at the bus stops, so please do not ask them to. Remember, the bus is only scheduled to wait two minutes for your child to board. Drivers are required to stay on schedule to the best of their ability. If they are delayed at each home just 3 minutes, they will eventually be running 30 minutes behind schedule.  

PARENTS’ & GUARDIANS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide the District Homeless Education Liaison or Foster Care Liaison team a single pick-up address and a single drop off address.
• We do not pick up or drop off at business or other non-residential locations except daycares that your child is currently enrolled in.
• Be at the bus stop five minutes before your child’s schedule bus arrival time.
• Call 480-497-3311 to let us know if your child does not need the morning or afternoon bus. Call or email Transportation if you have any concerns with respect to your child’s transportation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A: Call Transportation day or night if you do not need service. The number is 480-497-3311.

A: You should be outside with your child ready for school five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. If the bus arrives early, the driver will not depart until your child is on board or until two minutes after the scheduled pick-up time, whichever comes first. After the bus has waited past the pick-up time, they will leave and will not be sent back to pick up your child that day.

A: The bus will pick up your child at the assigned bus stop, which may be in front of your home, or at a centralized location if you live in an apartment complex, mobile home park, etc.

A: There are several parts to this answer. If you move to a new address, you must contact your child’s District Homeless Education Liaison or Foster Care Liaison to arrange for a change in services. Pick up and drop off may be two different addresses, but only one am pick up address and one pm drop off address is allowed. Again, there are no alternating day options and no temporary changes allowed.