Due to a shortage of bus drivers, Northwest Local School District’s Department of Transportation will be making adjustments to bus routes over the course of the 2021-22 school year. As we continue to face driver shortages, families should be aware that NWLSD may be forced to cancel specific routes on any given day if a driver is not available to pick up or drop students. If the District is unable to provide transportation, families will be responsible for providing students with a way to and from school for the day. Please note that route cancellations will be a last resort; however, families should expect delays in the morning and in the afternoon as we maneuver routes each day. Families can expect to be notified via email and text by 6 a.m. if a route is canceled for the day.
Our parents are key players in helping to maintain the health and safety of our students. It is important that parents and guardians discuss and go over the safety protocols that we have in place with your child. The more they know surrounding best safety practices, the safer we can keep them. We have included a resource below that parents can use to discuss where to stand at your bus stop, the importance of remaining seated while on the bus, how to wait for a driver's signal before crossing the street, etc. Click the link below to learn more:
Student Wellness
Parents will be responsible for screening their students for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 prior to getting on the bus. It is important that our parents join with us to make sure this is done every morning. Parents can use our At Home Daily Wellness Check document to check for symptoms. If your child has a fever, or answers yes to any of the questions, please keep them home.
Students will be expected to wear a mask and will be expected to social distance while at the bus stop. Upon entering the bus, students must have their masks on. Due to the number of students that have opted into receiving transportation, students will be expected to sit two to three to a seat. For this reason, it is important that students wear a mask while on the bus. If a student forgets their mask, a mask will be provided to them.
Bus Arrival
There is a possibility that buses may occasionally be delayed to school or home, especially the first few weeks of school. Parents can expect the delay to run up to one hour.
We expect that our staffing levels may vary from day to day as we navigate our nation’s current health crisis. Staffing shortages may lead to drivers making multiple morning and afternoon runs. We ask that our parents remain patient as we make every effort to get all of our students to and from school in a safe and timely manner. Our building principals and staff are aware that late arrivals may occur; they will make adjustments for buses that arrive late. As always, we will communicate with our parents to keep them informed when situations occur.
Bus Sanitation
Buses will be routinely cleaned and sanitized daily and between routes.
Seating Charts
In order to carry out contact tracing, students will be assigned a seat for the duration of the school year. Students will be required to remain seated in their assigned seats on the bus routes to and from school.
How do I find out if my child will have bus service?
NWLSD will continue to offer transportation to students that live outside of a one-mile radius. If you are still unsure of whether your child will receive busing please visit our ELINK Website You will need to type in your student’s grade and address including zip code, then click the Find School/Transportation Information button.
Preschool students will receive bus service ONLY if it is a part of their IEP. Otherwise, parents/guardians bring their children to school for arrival and dismissal.
How Can I Access My Child’s Bus Pass?
All bus passes were mailed out on August 10, 2021. Due to late enrollment or address changes, if your student is eligible for transportation and did not get a bus pass, visit E-link online if your child attends NWLSD. Private school families should contact transportation at 825-4600 for busing information.
Electronic bus passes can also be obtained through E-Link. Click link below to access:
Our Elink Website will assist parents who need to obtain bus passes or lookup bus route information for addresses within our school boundaries for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. You will be able to do a search using the student's current registered address. Please follow the instructions below for best results:
- Please be sure to input all requested information.
- Please use exact Postal address information (Rd for Road, CT for Court, etc.).
- Not all detailed information may be immediately available. If you need more information, we encourage you to contact the Transportation Department.
Will NWLSD provide crossing guards? Where will they be located and during what times?
Last year we established eight areas where staff crossing guards would be located. This year, we will continue to have these guards in place. Locations and times for each guard are listed below:
- West Fork Rd. in front of school: 8:20 am - 8:50 am; 3:50 - 4:00 pm
- West Kemper Rd. / Wincanton Dr.:
- (PRM): 6:50 am - 7:20 am; 2:20 pm - 2:50 pm
- (PRE): 7:30 am - 8:00 am; 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
3. Pippin Rd. / Cranbrook Dr.:
- (PRM): 6:50 am - 7:20 am; 2:20 pm - 2:50 pm
- (PRE): 7:30 am - 8:00 am; 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
4. Banning Rd. / Memory Ln.: 7:30 am - 8:00 am; 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
5. Memory Ln. / Jonrose Ave.: 7:30 am - 8:00 am; 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
6. Springdale to school entrance: 8:20 am - 8:50 am; 3:50 pm - 4:20 pm
7. Jessup Rd. / Sprucewood Dr.: 6:50 am - 7:20 am; 2:20 pm - 2:50 pm
Special Needs Routes
Special needs bus passes were mailed out on August 10, 2021.
If parents want to access bus routes online, they can be found by clicking this link: ELINK WEBSITE Parents will need to follow these steps carefully in order to access their electronic bus passes for special needs routes.
2. Select: Advanced
3. Select: Student’s grade
4. Select: School
5. Under Program: select “SPED/SPECIAL PU” from the drop down box
6. Enter your Home address: House number, street name and zip code.
7. Select: Find School Transportation Info
Be sure to check back frequently for changes.