Transportation

General Information

• Students who do not ride the bus for three weeks will be removed from the route. 

• Parents, including new families, should contact their school to set up or re-establish transportation services.  The service will begin in 48 hours.
• Students in boundary change areas, please look for a sign on the bus indicating the name of the school that bus is servicing. Locate your child's school by visiting the Attendance Zones portion of the website. Contact 636-851-6220 to verify bus stops due to soft boundaries.

How Bus Stops are Determined
The Francis Howell Board of Education approves all bus routes and stops. Missouri state law requires that school districts provide transportation for all students who reside more than 3.5 miles from school. Bus routes and stops may change from year to year based upon student population or demographics.

• Unless special permission is granted, students must ride the same bus to and from school.
• Depending upon route structure and time schedule, students may have to walk two or three blocks to the bus stop.
• Bus stops should be located with clear visibility for 500 feet in both directions.
• In residential areas, bus stops are not located within 500 feet of each other to allow the time for the bus warning lights to activate.  
• Generally, buses will not travel down cul-de-sacs that are less than one half mile long.
• Visibility from a student’s home to the bus stop is considered but not a requirement.

If your child needs transportation on a route other than their home bus route, please complete a transportation request form 3 days in advance for a consistent alternate schedule. (e.g., multiple residences, childcare location, etc.). Once changes are complete, the new Alternate Route information will be available through your Parent Portal.

The form must be completed and resubmitted to the school office ASAP for all students in need of a change to their stop location. Parents should continue to check the parent portal to access the new alternate bus route information.

Alternate Transportation Request Form

Francis Howell School District has charged bus drivers to be responsible for maintaining a safe and orderly environment on their buses. Note, all buses may be monitored by cameras at any time. If there is a concern, the camera recordings are reviewed by school administrators.

Francis Howell School District (FHSD) considers the bus an extension of the classroom; therefore, misbehavior on the bus will result in a consequence. Consequences may include suspension from the bus. In cases where the violation is severe and/or threatens the general safety of students, the matter will be referred immediately to the principal/designee.

The principal/designee has the discretion to implement/develop an alternative discipline plan if needed. The District Transportation Director will meet with the principal/designee as requested or when deemed necessary. 

To maintain order and provide a safe environment, a bus driver may take any of the following actions: 

• Initiate a conference with a student
• Initiate a conference with a principal/designee
• Direct students to comply with rules
• Alter assigned bus seats
• Issue bus ticket warnings
• Issue bus tickets

General Guidelines

• We ask that students and parents arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes before the posted pick-up/drop-off. 
• During the first few days of the new school year, bus drivers are adapting schedules to accommodate the needs of our families. Please arrive at your bus stop at least 10 minutes early during that first week as schedules are finalized.
• Students must follow all bus driver directions and all expectations in the Code of Student Conduct.
• Students must ride their assigned bus.

Protecting Your Child at a Bus Stop

• If a student drops something while the bus is present, he or she should tell the bus driver and never try to pick it up. Never run to catch the bus.
• Work with other parents to have children walk to bus stops and wait in groups. Use the “buddy system" whenever possible.
• Create a Safe Walking Plan with your child using the safest and most direct path to the school bus stop and establish “Safe Houses” along the route to the bus stop that your child can go to if approached while walking to the bus stop.
• Stay at least ten feet away from the street while waiting for the bus or after disembarking
• An adult or authorized person must be present to receive all kindergarten students from the bus.  If an authorized individual is not there, the child will be returned to their school at the conclusion of the route.

When Boarding the Bus

• Board assigned bus at assigned stop only
• Check that shoelaces are tied and both book bag straps are across both shoulders.
• When the bus approaches, line up in single file and do not walk toward the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver opens the door.
• Use the handrail to board the bus and go directly to your seat.
• If it is necessary to cross the street to board the bus, look to the driver.  They will provide a “thumbs up” when it is safe to cross.
• Always cross the street in front of the bus.

When Inside the Bus

• Stay seated in the assigned seat throughout the entire trip.
• Talk quietly and do not distract the driver.
• Ask the driver’s permission to open windows.
• Keep all body parts and all objects inside the bus and away from windows.
• Treat others with respect (both verbally and physically)
• Treat the bus with respect (no physical damage, littering, throwing objects, eating or drinking)
• Stay seated facing the front of the bus

When Leaving the Bus

• Depart assigned bus at assigned stop only
• Stay outside the danger zone, keep at least 10 feet away from the bus.
• Stay where the driver can see at all times.
• Watch the driver who will give a “thumbs up” when it is safe to cross the street.
• Cross the street in front of the bus, never behind the bus.
• Never stop to pick up anything from under the bus.
   

What if I need to change my child’s transportation information?

Parents/Guardians have an opportunity to request changes for bus transportation at the beginning of the each school year. Please review the back-to-school checklist shared in mid-July via email and the website for the deadline to request changes. Bus stop changes needed after the start of the school year typically will take 48 hours. Requests to modify or add bus stops will be considered for safety reasons only. This includes stops along hazardous streets where speed limits are above 25 MPH.

If my child is driving themselves, can they still be issued a bus route?

Student drivers will not be issued a bus route. If the plans change, please contact the school office and transportation services will be reinstated within 48 hours.

Can my child get off at another bus stop?

Students must get on and off at their assigned bus stop only. Drivers are not permitted to provide “sweetheart” stops. Parents must complete the AM/PM Alternative Transportation Request Form and return it to the school office to request multiple stops. See Alternate Transportation Tab on the General Information page.

Can a student who is not assigned to District transportation ride the bus home with a friend?

Students are not permitted to ride the bus home with a friend. In an emergency, parents should contact the school office. Please review your school’s procedures to determine the time deadline for daily changes.

What happens if an authorized adult isn’t present to receive my kindergarten student at the bus stop?

An adult or authorized person must be present to receive all kindergarten students from the bus. If an authorized individual is not there, the child will be returned to their school at the conclusion of the route.
 

Review these important parking guidelines per the Missouri Statute 300.440.

No parking in the following areas:

• Within 20 feet from the corner.
• In front of or within 5 feet from a driveway.
• In front of or within 30 feet from a traffic light or stop sign.
• Within 20 feet from a crosswalk.
• In front of or within 15 feet from a fire hydrant.
• In front of or within 10 feet in either direction of a mailbox from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on delivery days.
• In an intersection, including T-intersections.
• On a sidewalk.