Transportation

What are the expected school schedules for next year?

The elementary instructional day will begin at 8:10 AM and end at 2:15 PM. Due to transportation capacity issues, student arrival and departure for both buses and parent transportation will be staggered over 30 to 40 minutes. No morning bus stops will be scheduled prior to 7:00 AM.

The secondary instructional day will begin at 9:15 AM and end at 3:30 PM. Due to transportation capacity issues, student arrival and departure for both buses and parent transportation will be staggered over 30 to 40 minutes.

Due to the reduced number of students that can be transported during a single run, buses will have to make multiple trips to complete the assigned route. As we work through necessary adjustments in schedules, parents and students should be prepared for delays during the first few weeks of school.

How will social distancing be addressed on the bus?

On buses, HCPS will require a face mask and seat students 1 child per seat. Students that live in the same household may share a seat. Seating limitations will impact bus route timing and not all students will arrive or depart school at the same time.

How often will the school buses and school vehicles be cleaned?

Vehicles that are used for student transportation will be cleaned daily prior to any students boarding, between runs and after runs. The drivers will focus on high touch areas such as seats, handrails, windows sills and doors.

How many students will be transported on a bus?

On buses, HCPS will require a face mask and seat students 1 child per seat. Students that live in the same household may share a seat. On average this results in 22 students per bus. Siblings may sit together which may slightly increase the number of students assigned to that particular bus

Are students required to wear masks while in the school bus or county vehicle? What if the student does not have a mask when the bus or vehicle arrives at the bus stop?

Students are required to wear masks while on the school bus or while in a county vehicle. The driver will have a limited supply of masks to provide to students if a student attempts to board the bus without one.

How are we ensuring that students are staying in assigned seats?

While the bus driver and school staff will teach and promote safe bus riding practices, we also ask that parents discuss the following safety measures with their children:

  1. Instruct students to remain seated at all times or as instructed by the driver or attendant

  2. Instruct students to limit close contact with others at the bus stop as well as on the bus

  3. Direct students to avoid touching surfaces that are often touched by others.

  4. Instruct students to load one seat at a time, from the rear to front of the bus

  5. Instruct students to unload one seat at a time from the front to rear of the bus

  6. Direct students to cover their coughs or sneezes even when wearing a face mask

  7. Instruct students to minimize talking

What will happen if the bus has too many students for social distancing guidelines?

Once a school bus is loaded, the school bus will have to proceed to the school to unload its passengers and then return to the next school bus stop to continue its route. As we work through necessary adjustments in schedules, parents and students should be prepared for delays during the first few weeks of the second semester transition.

How are we ensuring that students are well before boarding the bus?

Families will be responsible for screening temperatures prior to leaving home. Temperature checks and/or verbal screenings at school will be made only when a need is identified.

What time will my student(s) be picked up from his/her bus stop and dropped off to his/her bus stop. Will it be similar to last year’s schedule?

Once your transportation request is approved by the Department of Transportation, your bus stop times can be viewed at the following link: https://ewa.edulogweb.com/hanoverva1web/webquery/

Changes will continue to be made on an "as needed" basis in order to accommodate students. Times and bus assignments are subject to change, please check back frequently.

My next door neighbor’s pick-up and drop-off time is 20 minutes later than my child’s. His bus assignment is also different. Can you explain?

Due to the reduced number of students that can be transported during a single run, buses will have to make multiple trips to complete the assigned route. For this reason, neighbors may be assigned different buses as well as have different bus schedules. For safety and efficiency, pick-up times, drop-off times and bus assignments will be determined by our transportation routing specialists.

How are students being assigned to 1st load pick-ups or 2nd load pick-ups? Am I able to request specific times?

Due to the reduced number of students that can be transported during a single run, buses will have to make multiple trips to complete the assigned route. For safety and efficiency, pick-up times, drop-off times and bus assignments will be determined by our transportation department.

What if there are extra, unanticipated students at the bus stop?

The bus will service all students at each stop. Unplanned stops and unassigned riders will impact services to assigned, scheduled riders. This will increase delays in services. As we work through necessary adjustments in schedules, parents and students should be prepared for delays during the first few weeks of the second semester transition. Please make sure that you have registered your student(s) for transportation via the online opt-in form.

Last year my child was transported to a daycare facility on a school bus. Will HCPS still provide this service?

It is our goal to continue to provide services to as many students as possible. Presently, we have not identified any groups of students that would not receive transportation service. In order to service unique groups, transportation schedules may be modified. We do not anticipate having to suspend services to daycare or child care centers but we want to be fully transparent that it is a remote option.

Can my child ride home with a friend on a different bus?

No, only assigned riders will be permitted to ride their assigned bus. Under normal circumstances, school buses are able to transport between 50-77 students. Very few of those buses are scheduled at capacity. This generally gives transportation the ability to service additional students that are not assigned to that route or school bus. Due to the impact of Covid-19, bus capacities are reduced and ridership is limited to the number of seats available. In order for the department to efficiently service all students, the maximum amount of students will be assigned to each bus.

Will specialty programs still operate as normal?

In order to service unique groups or special programs, bus assignments and bus schedules may be modified.

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