Chapter 4 - Transportation & Parking

The District provides bus transportation to and from school for all students living 1.5 miles or more from the school. Students are not permitted to ride a bus other than the bus to which they are assigned.  Additionally, students who are not eligible for regular bus transportation are not permitted to ride the bus to or from school with another student at any time. District 47 is not responsible for students who do not take their assigned transportation route. For extenuating circumstances, any exceptions must be approved in advance by TJA and the building administration.

While students are on the bus, they are under the supervision of the bus driver. In most cases, bus discipline problems can be handled by the bus driver. In the case of a written disciplinary referral, student bus problems will be investigated and handled by the building administrators.

Students are expected to follow all school rules while on the bus. Students may be suspended from riding the school bus for up to 10 consecutive school days for violating school rules or for engaging in other gross disobedience or misconduct. The Board may suspend the student from riding the school bus for a period in excess of 10 days for safety reasons. The District’s regular suspension procedures shall be used to suspend a student’s privilege to ride a school bus.

A student who is suspended from riding the school bus and who does not have alternative transportation to school shall be allowed the opportunity to make up all missed work for equivalent academic credit. It is the responsibility of the student's parent or guardian to notify the school that the student does not have alternative transportation to school.

In the interest of the student’s safety and in compliance with State law, students are also expected to observe the following:

1. Dress properly for the weather. Make sure all drawstrings, ties, straps, etc. on all clothing, backpacks and other items, are shortened or removed to lessen the likelihood of them getting caught in bus doors, railings or aisles.
2. Arrive five (5) minutes early at the bus stop, and stay away from the street while waiting for the bus.
3. Stay away from the bus until it stops completely, the door is opened, and the driver signals you to board. Enter a single file without pushing. Always use the handrail.
4. After boarding, go immediately to your seat, sit down, and remain seated facing forward. Keep your hands, arms, and head inside the bus. 
5. Talk quietly on the bus. No shouting or creating loud noises while on the bus that may distract the driver. Electronic devices must be silenced on the bus unless a student uses headphones. Students are not allowed to take pictures or video while on the bus. Devices and other subscription services (e.g. AngelSense) that feature 1-way voice, 2-way voice, or other recording capabilities must be disabled of these features while the student is on the bus. Unnecessary confusion and noise may divert the bus driver’s attention and could result in a serious accident.
6. Help keep the bus interior neat and clean. Keep belongings out of the aisle and away from emergency exits. Eating and drinking are not allowed on the bus.
7. Always listen to the driver’s instructions. Be courteous to the driver and other students. Sit with your hands to yourself and avoid making noises that would distract the driver or bother other passengers. Remain seated, keeping your hands, arms, and head inside the bus at all times.
8. Wait until the bus pulls to a complete stop before standing up. Use the handrail when exiting the bus.
9. Stay out of the danger zone next to the bus where the driver may have difficulty seeing you. Take five giant steps away from the bus and out of the danger zone until you can see the driver and the driver sees you. Never crawl under a bus.
10. If you must cross the street after you get off the bus, wait for the driver’s signal and then cross in front of the bus. Cross the street only after checking both ways for traffic.
11. Never run back to the bus, even if you dropped or forgot something.

Video and audio cameras may be active on buses to record student conduct and may be used for the purposes of investigation into misconduct or accidents on the bus.

For questions regarding school transportation issues, contact the Director of Transportation at (815) 455-0558.

Students are expected to follow all school rules when riding the school bus. A student may be suspended from riding the bus for up to 10 consecutive school days for engaging in gross disobedience or misconduct, including but not limited to, the following:

1. Violating any school rule or school district policy.
2. Willful injury or threat of injury to a bus driver or to another rider.
3. Willful and/or repeated defacement of the bus.
4. Repeated use of profanity.
5. Repeated willful disobedience of a directive from a bus driver or other supervisor.
6. Such other behavior as the building principal deems to threaten the safe operation of the bus and/or its occupants.

If a student is suspended from riding the bus for gross disobedience or misconduct on a bus, the Board may suspend the student from riding the school bus for a period in excess of 10 days for safety reasons.

A student suspended from riding the bus who does not have alternate transportation to school shall have the opportunity to complete or make up work for equivalent academic credit. It shall be the responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian to notify the school that the student does not have alternate transportation.

Bicycles, skateboards, and other forms of wheeled transportation are to be used only to and from school  and may not be on the school playground. All bicycles should be parked in the bike racks and secured with a lock. Skateboards and other forms of wheeled transportation should be stored in the student’s locker or in the main office. District 47 does not take any responsibility for the bicycles, skateboards, and other forms of wheeled transportation while they are on school premises. Please keep in mind it is very hard for young children to use bikes, skateboards, and other forms of wheeled transportation safely while carrying books, lunch boxes, backpacks, etc. to school. We ask all parents to think carefully before they allow their children to use these types of transportation and allow it only after a discussion on safety. We highly encourage your child to wear a helmet while using their bicycle, skateboard, or other forms of wheeled transportation. Per Crystal Lake ordinance, D47 students are not old enough to operate electric vehicles. As a result, D47 students are not allowed to bring or use electric vehicles on D47 property.

Each school has a main parking lot available for school staff and visitor parking.

Those dropping off and picking up children should do so in accordance with the arrival and dismissal procedures provided by their child’s school at the times specified by the building staff. Drivers must be aware of, and adhere to, the street signs that surround buildings, as well as, handicapped parking spaces.  

Vehicles may not be parked or located in the bus lanes or fire lanes at any time unless the car has been given permission during arrival and dismissal procedures. Bus lanes and fire lanes are clearly marked. Vehicles located in these locations may be ticketed and/or towed by the police.