Bussing Information for Students
All student bussing information will be available through Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you do not have an Infinite Campus Parent Portal Account, please contact [email protected] to have an account set up. Any requests for changes to bus stops must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. Please note that students that have not been assigned a bus or safety concerns will take priority over requests to change stops for convenience.
Here Comes the Bus
Download the Here Comes the Bus app to track your child's bus! Available on Apple. or Android. Use code 29986 for North Penn Public or 29992 for North Penn Special Needs. You will need your child's student ID in order to register for the app.
Need help? Check out these FAQ’sOpening in a new window, Contact Here Comes The Bus App SupportOpening in a new window or [email protected] or call Here Comes the Bus at (844) 854-9316
Walkers and Walk Zones
From PA School Code regarding Pupil Transportation and walk zones. "To all school districts for the transportation to and from school of elementary school pupils including kindergarten pupils, residing one and one-half (1 ½ ) miles or more by the nearest public highway from the school in which the pupils are enrolled and to which transportation is authorized under section 1361 of this act or residing in areas where the road or traffic conditions are such that walking constitutes a hazard to the safety of the child when so certified by the Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation shall take into account the presence of sidewalks along the highway, but such presence or lack thereof shall not be controlling and the department shall consider all relevant safety factors in making its determination as to whether or not walking constitutes a hazard to pupils. Such elementary school pupils shall include nonresident children who are placed in the home of a resident, or who are residents of an orphanage, or home or children’s home or other institution for the care and training of orphans or other children. To all school districts for the transportation to and from school of secondary school pupils residing two (2) or more miles by the nearest public highway from the school in which the pupils are enrolled and to which transportation is authorized under section 1361 of this act or residing in areas where the road or traffic conditions are such that walking constitutes a hazard to the safety of the child when so certified by the Department of Transportation. The Department of Transportation shall take into account the presence of sidewalks along the highway, but such presence or lack thereof shall not be controlling and the department shall consider all relevant safety factors in making its determination as to whether or not walking constitutes a hazard to pupils. Such secondary school pupils shall include nonresident children who are placed in the home of a resident, - 5 - or who are residents of an orphanage, or home or children’s home or other institution for the care and training of orphans or other children. "
Rules & Guidelines for Students Riding School Buses
Parents are encouraged to talk with their children regarding bus safety and behavior at bus stops and while riding a school bus. The following items should be discussed. Students should:
- Walk on the left side of the road facing traffic when going to the bus stop. Plan to be at the bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. Please allow five minutes after the scheduled pick-up time in the event of a late bus.
- Always use assigned bus stops.
- Accept seat assignments whenever the driver assigns seats.
- Respect the property of others—lawns, trees, fences, etc. Stand off the roadway while waiting for the bus.
- Get on the bus only when it has come to a complete stop and the red lights are flashing. Always look both ways and listen for oncoming vehicles before stepping onto the road.
- Follow the instructions of the driver promptly and respectfully. The driver is in charge of the bus and represents the school principal.
- Remain seated while the bus is in motion—facing forward.
- Keep hands, feet and head inside the bus at all times.
- Avoid unnecessary conversation with the driver or any motions or actions which may be distracting.
- Remember that unacceptable behavior includes the following: obscene and vulgar language or gestures; fighting, horseplay, rowdiness; throwing anything in, around or at the bus; smoking or any use of tobacco; eating or drinking; touching driver controls, steering wheel, door control, etc.; and/or any action which, in the judgment of the driver, threatens the safety of the bus or its passengers.
- Animals of any size or kind may not be transported on school buses.
- Large objects such as displays, exhibits and packages may not be carried on buses. Skateboards are prohibited on buses.
- Students who violate bus rules are subject to disciplinary action by the principal. A conduct report will be completed whenever a student violates a rule. Copies will be sent to the principal’s office, parents of the student and the transportation office. Bus-riding privileges will be suspended for 3 to 5 days for any student who receives three conduct reports. A fourth conduct report will result in a 5- to 10-day bus suspension. Students who receive more than four conduct reports may lose their bus-riding privileges for the remainder of the school year or be subject to further disciplinary action by the principal. Students who commit serious or dangerous violations may be subject to immediate removal of riding privileges or such action deemed appropriate by the principal.
- Students are not permitted to ride any bus other than the bus they are assigned. In the event of extenuating circumstances, for example: a parent is away and the student is staying temporarily with another district family, a parent who cannot be at the bus stop to meet their student and has arranged for the student to ride home with another student, a bus pass may be issued. The student going to another home must present a permission note from a parent/guardian. The student who is being visited must also have a note, stating that it is a mutually agreed upon arrangement. Bus passes should not be used for after school parties, boy/girl scout meetings, sleepovers, play dates, etc. Issuing bus passes may result in the overloading of school buses.
Obeying these reasonable rules and understanding these policies will ensure a pleasant and safe ride for all students.
Guidelines for Bus Stops
Residential areas which do not have sidewalks are reviewed by school personnel for safety considerations. Designated bus stops shall be located in centralized areas with due consideration for student safety and age. Whenever possible, not more than 25 students should be assigned to a designated bus stop. If a residential development precludes the entry of a bus, the number of students assigned to a designated stop may exceed 25. Out of safety considerations, every attempt shall be made to assign at least a minimum of two students at each stop.
Guidelines for Length of Bus Rides
The length of the bus ride is determined by the distance from residence to school based on the required route that the bus must travel, population density and prevailing traffic conditions. For residences and schools located within the North Penn School District, the length of time that the student spends on the bus should not exceed one hour. For students traveling to schools outside North Penn boundaries, the ride time will depend on distance and traffic.
Transportation Arrangement Guidelines for Babysitters/Daycare Centers
Transportation to daycare centers and babysitter locations will be provided only along currently established routes. No special route changes will be made for daycare or babysitter arrangements. Locations for stops will be made in accordance with established guidelines. If transportation arrangements are made to daycare or babysitter locations, such arrangements must be the same on ALL school days. For example, one set of arrangements for Monday-Wednesday-Friday and a different set of arrangements for Tuesday-Thursday will not be allowed. This guideline is necessary to ensure the safe and secure transport of all students. No exceptions will be made. Transportation to daycare or babysitter will only be provided within the student’s home school attendance area.
Transportation Arrangements for Students Who Cannot Stay in School
Whenever students are ill and should not stay in school, or whenever unusual circumstances require a student to be transported from school, appropriate arrangements will be made for transportation. The principal, nurse or counselor will call the parent and ask what immediate arrangements are available. In the event a parent cannot be reached, contact will be made with the appropriate people named on the student’s emergency card. If no one can transport the student, a public cab will be called to transport the child to a location named by the parent. Parents will be expected to pay any cab fares expended on behalf of their children. Parents should not expect school district employees to transport students in their personal vehicles.
For information regarding school closings/delayed openings due to inclement weather, please visit www.npenn.org, NPTV (Comcast Cable channel 28 and Verizon FIOS channel 29) or radio stations WNPV and KYW before your child leaves for school. The snow closing number for NPSD on KYW is #303.
Transportation Video/Audio Monitoring
The NPSD Board of School Directors has adopted a Transportation Video/Audio Monitoring Policy #5126 stating the use of video and audio recording equipment to maintain discipline and ensure the safety and security of students, staff, contractors, and others being transported on district-owned, operated, or contracted school buses or school vehicles. Reviews of video/audio recordings are limited to the Principal, Transportation Coordinator, Superintendent, and/or his/her designee. However, video/audio recordings may be used in expulsion hearings if the video/audio recording provides evidence in the case. A request for viewing a video recording may be made by a student’s parents/guardians if the student has been recorded and disciplinary action has been recommended. All requests must be in writing and addressed to the building principal.