Student Transportation

Student Transportation

The following section contains general information about student transportation and related issues. Find information about District transportation on the District website at www.kcsd96.org or call the Director of Facilities and Transportation at 847.459.4260, ext. 8124.

District-Provided Transportation
District 96 provides transportation to all students who live outside of a 1.5-mile walking distance from the attending school. The State of Illinois allows for bus stops to be placed 1.5 miles from the student's home for school transportation. District 96, however, attempts to keep the bus stops within a quarter-mile from the student's address. 

District 96 bus stops are community stops designed to serve the community as safely and efficiently as possible. The bus stops for elementary and middle school may vary and may sometimes even be slightly further for middle school students. Some stops will be further than others depending on the structure of the roads in each individual neighborhood.

Fee-Based Transportation
TheBoard of Education has approved a fee-based transportation system for students living within the 1.5-mile walking areas of Ivy Hall, Prairie, and Twin Groves Schools.

The cost of this service will be based on actual transportation costs for the year. More information about the fee-based transportation system can be obtained by contacting the Transportation Department at 847.459.4260 or emailing [email protected].

Transportation is provided for all attendance areas of  Kildeer Elementary School, Country Meadows Elementary School, and Woodlawn Middle School.

Activity Bus Service
District 96 offers middle school students the opportunity to participate in afterschool activities. Activity buses are provided following the conclusion of the activity period at 3:15 p.m. to encourage participation for any students after school for band, orchestra, chorus, study hall, or a club activity. No bus service is provided following sports practices, games, or meets. 

A smaller number of bus routes run for afterschool activities: Stops are consolidated and differ from assigned morning and afternoon locations. Route times will vary as a result of fluctuating ridership. Requests to change activity stop locations for convenience will not be considered.

Permission for Students to Walk Home from School
If a child wishes to walk home from school, the child’s parent/guardian must send a note indicating the date or giving blanket permission for the child to walk home from school on any school day. Under most circumstances, permission given over the telephone is not acceptable. Students will ride their assigned bus each day unless a change is communicated directly to their school’s front office. Children are cautioned against accepting rides from strangers.

Changes to Assigned Transportation
A change in a child's typical bus routine must be communicated through a written and signed parent/guardian note or email provided to the school office staff before noon on the morning the parent/guardian will be picking up the child after school ~ rather than having the child ride the bus. (Due to the young age of Willow Grove students, all Willow Grove parents/guardians must call the main office before noon to make changes.) Otherwise, the child will follow his/her typical transportation routine.

Due to capacity restrictions and for the safety of our students, riding an unassigned bus for birthday parties, scouts, carpools/playdates, etc., is not considered to be an appropriate use of transportation resources. Emergency changes to the typical routine must be communicated by phone call to the school (no email notification will be accepted). Permission is reserved for emergencies only or at the discretion of the District 96 administration. The building principal or assistant principal will consider the request and will review the request with the transportation department to ensure the feasibility of the request.

Under no circumstances is a student attending Willow Grove Early Learning Center or a District 96 elementary school allowed to ride a bus other than the one to which he/she has been assigned, or to leave the bus at a bus stop other than his/her assigned bus stop.

Any permanent changes to bus plans require at least 5 school days to process route changes. Changes may exceed 5 school days depending on the cascading effect on the route.  Temporary changes may not be made to access bus service.

At any time, parents/guardians may change plans from bus to adult pick-up by notifying the school by written and signed note or email by noon (no phone calls). 

Forms to request alternate pick-up and/or drop-off locations for childcare purposes are available in each school office or through the Transportation Department. Completed forms must be submitted for approval by July 15th to ensure transportation can begin by the start of school. 

Students who have an address change must notify the school office and provide the required documentation. Address changes made after August 1st are not guaranteed bus service before the start of school.

Bus Routes
To serve the needs of our community, stops have been placed at common locations, such as intersections and entrances to cul-de-sacs for safety and efficiency. Consolidated stops help keep the route times shorter for students and consistent for our community. Parents/Guardians are not permitted to make requests of or provide route instructions to bus drivers. Drivers are not authorized to make discretionary changes to bus routes. In order to provide efficient transportation for all students, convenience change requests and personalized accommodations will not be considered.

Delayed Bus Routes Due to Weather
Buses may run late in bad weather. In severe weather, or in cases of problems beyond the driver’s control, there may be substantial variations in the schedule. A child left to stand outside in severe weather conditions may be uncomfortable or even at risk. Parents/Guardians should make prior arrangements to ensure that their children will be safe and supervised when waiting for a delayed bus in severe weather conditions.

School Closing and Other Weather Emergencies
The final decision about a child’s attendance when weather is severe must remain with his or her parent/guardian. No decision to open or close school can take into account the unique circumstances surrounding every child in the District. The safety and welfare of children can best be protected if parents/guardians decide what is best for their children in light of existing information. If weather conditions are such that buses cannot safely operate, the bus company will notify the district superintendent, who in turn will use a quick-alert messaging system to communicate the closing of District 96 schools.

Early Dismissal Due to Weather Emergencies
Typically, District 96 does not dismiss school early in case of severe weather. If school authorities believe a violent storm is imminent, students and buses may be held until danger has passed. At no time will students be sent home early to try to avoid being at school during a storm. In such circumstances, children are much safer remaining in school.

Students may be dismissed a few minutes early if weather conditions are such that buses can operate safely but will take longer than normal to deliver students to their homes. In these situations, the bus company will notify the district superintendent of the need for additional time to run the bus routes safely. The district superintendent will, in turn, notify building principals of the revised dismissal schedule. If the schedule is revised under these circumstances, the dismissal typically is no more than fifteen minutes earlier than normal for middle school, which generates ample time to dismiss elementary-aged students close to the usual dismissal time.

Behavioral Expectations Governing School Bus Riders
Students are under the jurisdiction of the school bus driver unless the Board of Education designates an individual to supervise the riders. Proper respect should be afforded to the driver. When a child persists in violating the expectations for conduct on the bus, the bus driver will notify the school principal. Typically, the child will receive a warning, and the parents/guardians will be notified. If the child continues to behave inappropriately, he or she will be forbidden to ride the bus.

The District reserves the right to deny the use of the bus to any student whose conduct places other riders in jeopardy, as provided for in Section 10-22.6 of the State School Code. All riders, parents/guardians of riders, and teachers should become thoroughly familiar with the regulations governing school bus riders.

Removal of a Child from the Bus. Parents/Guardians may not remove their child from the bus if the bus is at a location other than at the child's assigned bus stop. In the event of a delay or malfunction, bus drivers are not authorized to release students to parents. Only a district or building administrator may allow students to be released from a bus route, and then only to the child's parent or guardian. The bus company will send another bus to continue the route.

  1. Parents may not board a bus under any circumstances. Bus drivers are not authorized to allow adults on the bus and will have to call 911 if anyone attempts to access the bus unauthorized. Respect the authority of the bus driver. The bus driver is the adult responsible for the safe transportation of students to and from school property. 
  2. Arrive at the designated school bus stop 10 minutes prior to the estimated pick-up time. Help keep the bus on schedule. 
  3. Stay off the road at all times while waiting for a bus and be careful in approaching the bus stop. Students must wait to approach and board the bus until it has come to a complete stop and activated its stop arm and warning lights. 
  4. Never tamper with the bus or any of its equipment. Tampering with school bus equipment can lead to loss of transportation privileges. Safety is our top priority.
  5. Keep hands and head inside the bus at all times. Help look after the safety and comfort of smaller children. Keep books, backpacks, coats, arms and legs, and any objects out of the aisles. Do not throw anything out of the bus windows.
  6. Do not laugh or yell loudly or create unnecessary confusion that might divert the driver’s attention and contribute to a serious accident. Do not leave your seat while the bus is in motion. Be absolutely quiet when the bus approaches a railroad crossing.
  7. In an emergency, remain in the bus until instructions are given by the driver.
  8. At a discharge point where it is necessary to cross the highway, proceed to a point at least ten feet in front of the bus on the right shoulder of the highway. Remain there until a signal is given by the bus driver to cross in front of the bus. Be alert to a danger signal from the driver.

Do not ask the driver to stop at places other than the regular bus stop. The driver is not permitted to do so except with proper authorization from a school official.

Transportation of Students by Parents
District 96 strongly encourages parents/guardians to take advantage of the transportation system; more children riding the buses will reduce the number of vehicles in and around the schools, which will make the pick-up and drop-off times at school much safer for children. The District also recognizes that, from time to time, parents/guardians will drive their children to school; thus, each school has established a recommended pick-up and drop-off procedure. To maximize safety around the schools and to assist in the timely transportation of District students, parents/guardians are asked to yield the right-of-way to buses and to follow the procedures described below.

Willow Grove Kindergarten Center.  All Willow Grove parents/guardians picking up or dropping off their children are requested to park safely (in the south lot or on the west side of the street) and to escort their student to or from the main entrance of the building. Students riding buses will be escorted from and to their buses by classroom teachers and/or support staff. Parking in the front drive is prohibited by Village Fire Lane Ordinance, and violators may be ticketed. Students may be walked to the Willow Grove front entrance vestibule no earlier than 8:25 a.m. (8:20 a.m. for EC students), when they will be released to their classrooms. Parents/Guardians should arrive at the Willow Grove main entrance no earlier than 2:50 p.m. to pick up their students after school.

Country Meadows Elementary School. Parents/Guardians should enter the school site from Gilmer Road and use the far western parking lot designated for Country Meadows School. Parents/Guardians may wait along the curb at the front of the parking lot when picking up children during the day or at dismissal time. No cars should be left unattended along the curb. Students should enter and exit vehicles along the green curb, on the curb side of the car. Parking along the curb is prohibited by Village Fire Lane Ordinance, and violators may be ticketed. At no time should cars enter the bus lot located between the school parking lots. Students may be dropped off no earlier than 8:10 a.m., unless attending a teacher-supervised club or activity. Parents/Guardians should arrive no earlier than 2:50 p.m. to pick up their students after school.

Ivy Hall Elementary School. Students who take the bus home will board the bus on the east sidewalk. Parents/Guardians who drop off and/or pick up students should enter a rolling drop-off/pick-up line on the west blacktop near the playground by driving north on Penny Lane. Parents/Guardians exit the rolling drop-off/pick-up area by turning right and driving north on Penny Lane.  All students being picked up will exit the school building via the southwest doors, where they will be met by faculty. Faculty will assist students and direct cars in the rolling drop-off/pick-up line. At any time when parking in the east parking lot, parents/guardians should enter the lot from Ivy Hall Lane and exit to Clohesey Lane only. Students may be dropped off no earlier than 8:10 a.m., unless attending a teacher-supervised club or activity. Parents/Guardians should arrive no earlier than 2:50 p.m. to pick up their students after school.

Kildeer Countryside Elementary School. Parents/Guardians should use the front parking lot, follow the pavement markings/signs directing traffic flow, and remain in their vehicles to drop off and pick up students. The Village Hall access road northwest of the school is to be kept clear; it is reserved for buses and emergency vehicles only. Students may be dropped off no earlier than 8:10 a.m., unless attending a teacher-supervised club or activity. Parents/Guardians should arrive no earlier than 2:50 p.m. to pick up their students after school.

Prairie Elementary School. Parents/Guardians are to use the circle driveway in front of the main entrance – entering and exiting on Brandywyn Lane – both to drop off and to pick up their students. Parent/Guardian pick-up will be supervised by Prairie staff, who will assist students getting to parent vehicles. The parent/guardian pick-up line will extend from the Brandywyn circle driveway northeast along the west side of Brandywyn Lane, toward Aptakisic Road. Students may be dropped off no earlier than 8:10 a.m., unless attending a teacher-supervised club or activity. Parents should arrive no earlier than 2:50 p.m. to pick up their students after school.

Twin Groves Middle School. Parents/Guardians should use the circular driveway on the east side of the building to drop off and pick up students. The parking lot area south of the school is reserved for buses. At the start of the day, students should enter the building via the south entrance to the building or by the office entrance. Parents/Guardians may wait at the front of the school when picking up children during the day or at dismissal time. No cars should be left unattended along the circular drive curb in front of the school. Parking along this curb is prohibited by Village Fire Lane Ordinance, and violators may be ticketed.  At no time during drop-off or pick-up periods should cars enter the parking lot area south of the school. Students may be dropped off no earlier than 7:30 a.m., unless attending a teacher-supervised club or activity. Parents/Guardians should arrive no earlier than 2:15 p.m. to pick up their students after school.

Woodlawn Middle School. Parents/Guardians should enter the school site from Gilmer Road and use the east parking lot designated for Woodlawn Middle School. Parents/Guardians may wait along the curb at the front of the parking lot when picking up children during the day or at dismissal time. No cars should be left unattended along the curb, however. Parking along the curb is prohibited by Village Fire Lane Ordinance, and violators may be ticketed. At no time should cars enter the bus lot located between the school parking lots. Students may be dropped off no earlier than 7:30 a.m., unless attending a teacher-supervised club or activity. Parents/Guardians should arrive no earlier than 2:15 p.m. to pick up their students after school.

Electronic Recording on School Buses
In order to promote and maintain a safe environment for students and employees when transportation is provided for any school-related activity, electronic visual/audio recordings may be used on school buses to monitor conduct. Notice of electronic recording will be displayed on the exterior of the vehicle's entry door and the front interior bulkhead in compliance with State law and the rules of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

Students are prohibited from tampering with electronic recording devices. Passengers who violate this policy will be disciplined in accordance with the Board's discipline policy and must reimburse School District 96 for any necessary repairs or replacements.