2008/2009 Bus Transportation Program

Feb 21, 07 | 12:24 pm

• Reimbursement/Hazard Claims Accepted at Lake Cty Supt. - Nov. 3, 2008 to Jan. 30, 2009
• Follow-up Transportation Claims Accepted at District 73 - Mid-March 2009 to June 30, 2009 (Watch for notification of exact start date.)

Bus Route Development

Hawthorn works with Lakeside Transportation (our bus company) to develop routes that are safe and efficient. In general, routes are built using existing routes as a base. As Hawthorn receives information about enrollments, we adjust routes accordingly. For this reason, it is important for parents to provide up-to-date information as soon as possible — both before the school year begins and during the course of the year.

Bus riders may request transportation to one babysitter/daycare stop if that stop is within the attendance area of your child's school. To request a stop, please complete a Bus Route Information for Childcare Form and return it to your school or the District Office. All requests are addressed and incorporated as space allows. Note that daycare transportation information is not kept on file from year to year. (If you require a childcare stop, you must complete this form each year.) If you have questions, please call the District Office at 847-990-4200. (For 2008/09 school year: Please return your forms no later than July 14, 2008 for your request to be in effect when school begins in Fall 2008. If your request is received after the July 14 deadline, it will be the responsibility of the family to provide transportation to and from daycare until about the fourth week of school.)

Bus services is provided to Hawthorn students who live more than 1.5 miles from their school. Option-to-pay bus service is available on a limited basis for students who live less than 1.5 miles from their school, and who do not automatically receive bus services. If you would like to participate in option-to-pay bus service, please complete the Option-to-pay Bus Form and return it to the District Office or your school with payment. More information about bus service is available in the Transportation Guidelines.

Students who live less than 1.5 miles from their attending school, who pay for bus service and who have a verified serious safety hazard can file a claim to request reimbursement toward the cost of busing. Reimbursement requires a two-step application process that is completed during the course of the school year for which you are requesting reimbursement. Any reimbursement is made after the school year ends. Parents/Guardians begin the process by completing an Application for Determination of a Serious Safety Hazard form, which must be returned to the Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools Office between November 3, 2008 and January 30, 2009. Once you have a verified claim, you must then complete a Parent/Guardian Transportation Claim at the Hawthorn District Office, 841 West End Court, Vernon Hills. That claim log is generally made available to District 73 in March and must be completed before June 30, 2009. Please bring a copy of your approval letter from the Lake County Regional Superintendent of Schools to file your claim. More information is available on the ISBE website, www.isbe.net.

In an effort to create an efficient transportation experience, Hawthorn bus routes are created and then "frozen." For the 2008/2009 school year, the freeze began on July 21, 2008 and was lifted after September 22, 2008. By holding routes and stops in place for several weeks before allowing general changes, we experience a much smoother transportation transition.

Specific bus route information is mailed to each home in mid- to late-August. (For the security of our students, this information is not posted online.)

Our new Kindergarten bus riders have an opportunity to practice riding the bus during a special dress rehearsal practice bus route that takes place each August. During this practice time, families have the opportunity to take photos and see what it is like to get on and off the bus. One parent or guardian is allowed to accompany the Kindergartener on the bus for the dress rehearsal ride to school and back home. Families of Kindergarten bus riders will receive information about the practice bus ride in their Kindergarten Registration Packets (received during the Kindergarten Registration meetings held in late January or early February of the year prior to enrollment). To reserve your spot on the Kinder Practice Ride Bus, please contact the Transportation Hotline at 847-990-4260.

Bus routes take longer during the first few weeks of school. Students often require a few more "good byes" before they get on the bus in the morning, which can slow the process. At the end of the day, schools take a great deal of time checking and rechecking bus passes to ensure that students are on the correct vehicles. In fact, in many cases the buses won't leave the school parking lot for 15 or even 20 minutes until after the ending bell. Please keep this in mind during the first weeks of school.

Should you want to request a change or provide feedback about your transportation experience, please contact the Transportation Hotline at 847-990-4260 or the District Office at 847-990-4200. General comments, suggestions and questions may also be emailed to transportation@hawthorn73.org Please include your name, phone number, address, child's school and bus route number with your correspondence.

Calls about transportation situations may also be directed to your student's school office. If a situation arises after the school offices are closed, please contact the 24-hour Lakeside Transportation Hotline at 847-263-7619. This line is always staffed, with operators able to locate key staff people as your call requires. Please note that the Lakeside facility remains staffed until all buses are in for the evening.

Parents, please help us make bus riding a great experience by stressing the importance of safe and respectful bus riding. For key guidelines, please review A Few Safety Rules for Bus Riders as well as the Hawthorn Student/Parent Handbook.