Bus Information

IMSA provides limited bus transportation services for students with access to designated satellite stops, based on availability and bus capacity. While IMSA strives to accommodate as many students as possible, transportation placement is not guaranteed. Bus assignments are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until buses reach capacity. A waiting list will be maintained for families interested in transportation services when capacity has been reached. School bus transportation is a privilege. Students who are assigned to a bus are expected to follow all transportation rules and expectations and to conduct themselves in a manner that promotes safety, respect, and an orderly and positive experience for all riders.

These expectations are established to:

1. Promote the safety and well-being of all students.
2. Reinforce that school bus transportation is a privilege.
3. Promote an orderly, efficient, respectful, and enjoyable experience to and from school

The parent or guardian is responsible for ensuring that the student arrives safely at the designated bus stop and remains safe while waiting for the bus. The transportation provider is not responsible for a student's transportation to the bus stop or for the student's safety while waiting at the stop.

Students must:

1. Arrive at the bus stop approximately 5–10 minutes before the scheduled bus arrival time.
2. Remain out of the street and away from moving traffic.
3. Respect surrounding property while waiting for the bus.
4. Board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver has opened the door.
5. Enter the bus one at a time and refrain from pushing or crowding other students.

Students must:

1. Obey the bus driver promptly and respectfully.
2. Refrain from fighting or any physical aggression.
3. Refrain from smoking or vaping of any kind.
4. Refrain from possessing or using any form of weapon.
5. Refrain from using profane, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate language.
6. Sit in an assigned seat when seats are assigned and remain in that seat for the duration of every trip.
7. Remain seated, facing forward, and refrain from standing or sitting on their knees while the bus is in motion.
8. Keep books, school materials, and personal belongings on their lap or securely contained in a backpack.
9. Speak respectfully and use appropriately quiet voices.
10. Refrain from pushing, shoving, scuffling, tripping, horseplay, or other disruptive behavior.
11. Keep their head, hair, hands, feet, and belongings inside the bus and to themselves.
12. Refrain from throwing objects inside or outside the bus.
13. Refrain from eating, drinking, or chewing gum on daily routes to and from school.
14. Treat bus seats, equipment, and other property with care and respect.

Students must:

1. Remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop and the driver has opened the door.
2. Exit the bus in an orderly manner, wait their turn, and refrain from pushing.
3. Pick up and properly dispose of any trash they have left on the bus.
4. Clear the bus and surrounding area promptly after exiting.

The parent or guardian is responsible for ensuring that the student is transported safely from the bus stop to their after-school destination. The transportation provider is not responsible for a student's safety after the student has been dropped off at the designated stop.

Students must:

Students are permitted to board only the bus to which they are assigned. Students may not board a different bus without prior authorization from IMSA. This requirement promotes clarity, accountability, and safety for all students using IMSA transportation services.

Students must:

Effective communication is essential for managing transportation changes. Families should notify the school of any transportation changes as soon as possible and no later than 3:00 p.m.

Transportation change requests must include:

• Student's full name
• Student's grade
• Date or dates of the requested change
• Name of the person making the request
• Contact telephone number

IMSA uses a restorative approach when students do not meet bus transportation expectations. The purpose of this approach is to support student growth, promote accountability, address harm, and help students understand how their behavior affects others and the transportation community.

Responses to infractions will be determined based on the nature, severity, and frequency of the behavior. Responses to repeated or significant infractions may be progressive and may include, but are not limited to:

A staff member may contact the student's parent or guardian to discuss the concern and provide a reminder of bus expectations. The purpose of this communication is to address the behavior and support the student in understanding and meeting transportation expectations.

A student may be temporarily suspended from bus transportation or lose bus privileges. This consequence provides an opportunity for the student to reflect on their behavior and its impact on others and to consider strategies for improving their conduct.

When appropriate, IMSA will collaborate with the student and their family to develop a plan that supports the student's successful return to the bus environment.

Students who receive disciplinary write-ups from bus drivers may have their situations reviewed by an IMSA staff member. The school may engage the student in a restorative conversation to:

• Understand the student's perspective and circumstances.
• Identify and address any harm caused by the behavior.
• Reinforce transportation expectations.
• Develop strategies for making better choices in the future.
• Establish appropriate supports for the student's successful participation in bus
transportation.

IMSA's restorative approach is intended to balance accountability with opportunities for reflection, growth, and repair. Through consistent expectations and collaborative problem-solving, IMSA seeks to maintain a safe, respectful, and supportive transportation environment for all students.

We strive to provide all in-zone students with a satellite stop, but the closest stop will depend on the student’s grade, program, and bus capacity. Ensure IMSA has your updated home address and AM and PM daily transportation requirements.

Be sure to be outside set up alerts on the Chipmunk App to notify you when your bus is near your home. It is recommended students be at their stop 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time and allow for as much as a 10-minute delay after the scheduled time. The IMSA front office will not have information about bus delays and calls to the front office are discouraged.

IMSA Transportation logistics partner Miller Transportation may be able to find an alternative stop location, but not in all cases. Any changes may take as much as 1 week to implement.