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TRANSPORTATION HANDBOOK

2024-2025

WAYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

STUDENT TRANSPORTATION

The purpose of this handbook is to provide information to and be a resource for parents and guardians about the Wayland Public Schools transportation system and to clarify expectations of its transportation services to students and parents/guardians for the school year.

WAYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ HOURS OF OPERATION

School Hours

M, T, TH, F

Early Wednesday 

Elementary Schools

        Grades K-5

 

7:55 AM – 2:25 PM

 

7:55 AM – 1:15 PM

Middle School

8:40 AM – 3:15 PM

8:40 AM – 2:30 PM

High School

8:35 AM – 3:10 PM

8:35 AM – 2:25 PM

All students who plan to ride the bus to and from school during the 2024-2025 school year must register for transportation services:

Students enrolled in Grades K through 6 who live more than two (2.0+) miles from their assigned school are entitled to Town-paid transportation.

Students in grades K-6 living less than two miles from their districted schools and all students in grades 7 to 12th are eligible for fee-based transportation, based on space availability.

The Cost of 2024-2025 Transportation:

One student: $400.00

Two Students: $800.00

Three + Students: $1,150.00

Registration for 2024-2025 Transportation:

To register your student, please complete the registration form posted on the Wayland Public Schools’ Transportation website for each student planning to ride the school bus during the 2024-2025 school year.  

If your student is enrolled in grades K-6 living less than two miles from their districted schools and all students in grades 7 to 12 please pay online via UNIPAY (the link can be found on the Wayland Public Schools’ Transportation website) or mail a check made payable to: 

Wayland Public Schools

Business Office

41 Cochituate Rd, Wayland, MA 01778

Financial Assistance:

Financial Assistance is available for eligible families. The Financial Assistance Application and Guidelines for Financial Assistance is found on the Wayland Public Schools’ Transportation website. 

Bus Routes:

Bus routes will be created and posted on the Wayland Public Schools Transportation website in August, 2024.

For information about registration, payment, refunds, and routes during school hours: 

Susan Bottan, Director of Finance

Phone: 508.358.3750, Email: Susan_Bottan@waylandps.org

 

For information about routes and buses during the 2024-2025 school year:

Janet Delano, Dispatcher

Phone: 508.401.7565, Email: Janet.Delano@firstgroup.com

BUS ROUTES

Wayland Public Schools contracts with First Student to operate a two tier bus system.  The K-5 students are bused together for the first tier and the middle school and high school students are bused together for the second tier. We make every effort to design routes to be no longer than 45 minutes. All routes are designed for arrival to school before start time.

Bus routes are designed in accordance with School Committee policies and Massachusetts General Laws. Routes are created based on the registrations received. Registered students’ grades and home address are entered into the Transfinder routing software where we design the safest and most efficient bus routes. Bus routes are posted on the WPS transportation website in August. The Business OfficesFirst Student us routes may be changed depending on accurateefficiency of each bus route to ensure on time arrival at school. If you have any questions or concerns about your route, please contact the Business Office.

BUS PASSES

Every student who registers and qualifies for transportation, will be issued a bus pass that must be shown each day upon entering the bus. The pass entitles the student to ride to and from school on an assigned bus with an assigned bus stop.

In the event a student loses their bus pass, a duplicate pass may be obtained from the School Department’s Business Office for a $10.00 replacement fee, payable by check or cash. Please make checks payable to:

Wayland Public Schools

Wayland Public Schools Transportation Office,

41 Cochituate Rd, Wayland, MA 01778


HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS 

State and local health and safety protocols for student transportation is outlined below:  

We view the bus as an extension of the school; therefore, the students who ride the bus are subject to the same rules and expectations as they are when in school.  

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES

DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES 

Students must follow all health and safety protocols as defined above.  The school bus is considered to be an extension of the school itself, and rules regarding student behavior are the same as in the school. The safety of our students is our primary concern, and we reserve the right to take whatever action is necessary to maintain a high level of passenger safety on our buses. The right of a student to school bus transportation is a qualified right, dependent on good behavior. In the case where a student seriously or continuously misbehaves on the bus, parents will be notified by the Principal of the student’s school, and their bus pass will be revoked, if in the opinion of the school administration, such action is necessary for the general safety and well-being of other passengers.

BOARDING BUSES: SAFETY RULES 

Only Wayland Public Schools’ students and staff shall board the bus.

Illustrated on the page to follow is a map of the danger zones around the school bus (copied from the California Department of Education). Please discuss this with your child so they are familiar with bus safety.

Also discuss that YELLOW flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, and that RED flashing lights and the extended stop arm indicates that the bus has stopped and children are then able to board the bus or exit the bus.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions & Responses:

How is the distance from the school determined for all students?

On-line tools useful to determine the distance between the residence and attending school include Google Directions, MapQuest, and the Town of Wayland’s Geographic Information System data.

Will the bus routes and schedules stay the same each year?

Bus routes may vary from year to year. Routes are finalized and published in August. Routes may shift slightly in September to accommodate traffic patterns.

Do I need to complete a transportation registration form even if my student is eligible for free school bus transportation?

Yes. Parents/Guardians must complete a transportation registration form for each student in the household who plans to ride a bus.

Does my student need a bus pass to board the school bus?

Yes. Every student who either pays a fee or is eligible for free transportation will be issued a bus pass that must be shown each day upon entering the bus. The pass entitles the student to ride to and from school on an assigned bus with an assigned bus stop. Bus passes will be mailed to families prior to the start of the new school year.

Can my student use the bus pass he was issued last year?

No. New bus passes are issued at the beginning of each school year.

What happens if my student loses their bus pass?

In the event a student loses a bus pass, a duplicate pass may be obtained from the School Department’s Business Office for a $10.00 replacement fee, payable by check or money order only.

Can I purchase a bus pass for my student later in the year?

Families may register for transportation after the start of the school year provided space is available on the bus serving their route.

Can I get a prorated pass or request a refund of my student’s bus fee?

Yes, prorated fees and refunds (with return of the pass) will be given according to the following schedule:

Refunds

September-December 50%

January-March 25%

April-June 0%

Can I pay the transportation fee with a credit card?

The district accepts credit card payments for transportation fees through Unibank. Please use the Online Registration and Payment Center link on the Student Transportation webpage. There is a fee for the use of a credit card (charged by the bank).

Is there any financial assistance available if the bus fee causes hardship                                                                                

The School Committee has established an income-based waiver program for fee-based riders that offers free service or reduced fees to qualifying families. An explanation of the Financial Assistance Program, including income limits, and an application form can be found on the Student Transportation or Business Office webpages, or at the School Department’s Business Office (2nd floor, Wayland Town Hall).

Is there a penalty fee if my check is returned to the district for insufficient funds?  

Yes. A fee of $25.00 will be assessed and must be paid in addition to the bus fee before a bus pass will be issued.

Can my student ride home on a bus other than the one to which s/he is assigned?

No. Students may only ride their assigned bus. Transportation to social events, play dates, day care or religious classes is not permitted.

Can my student bring his/her large instrument or project on the bus?

No. Due to the narrow width of the school bus aisle and the height of the seat backs, no large instruments (e.g. cellos, French horns), large projects or large objects may be brought on the bus. In addition, a student must be able to carry and contain any and all items between their legs or on their lap during the course of the ride to and from school.

May my student eat or drink on the school bus?

No. Out of concern for the safety of students, particularly those who suffer from life- threatening allergies, food, including any type of candy or gum, and drinks are strictly prohibited from consumption on the school bus. All food, drink and candy must remain contained while on the school bus.

Who do I contact if my student has lost an item on the school bus?

Call the First Student Bus Dispatcher, Janet Delano, at (508) 358-7543.

Who do I call with concerns or questions about the day-to-day operation of the school bus?

Call the First Student Bus Dispatcher at (508) 358-7543.

Who do I call with concerns or questions about the route of the bus?

Call the Director of Finance and Operations, Susan Bottan, at 508-358-3750.

To learn more about Wayland Public Schools’ Transportation Services, please refer to the Transportation website:

Wayland Public Schools Transportation Website