Dallas Elementary School District 327 Logo

Transportation

Dallas Elementary School District asks that all students use buses provided as transportation to the and from the building or by transported by car.  As designated by the Illinois State Board of Education, the district will not allow students to walk or ride bikes to or from school due to the lack of sidewalks and extreme danger of highway traffic.  Please contact the district office if you have questions regarding this request.

Parent Guidelines for Transportation To and From School

• Our driveway is a one-way drive.  Enter on the south end and travel and exit in a northerly fashion.  
• Students may be dropped off and picked up at the front doors anytime between 7:30-8:00 a.m. Doors will not open until 7:30 a.m. 
• Students being dropped off after 8:00 a.m. or picked up before 3:05 must be signed in/out at the office by a parent or designee.  Please park your vehicle in a designated parking spot.  
• When picking up students after school, wait in line behind the buses, pull up after buses leave and your child will be brought out to you.  Cars are not to pass buses while they are loading or unloading.

The entire front of our school is a bus and fire lane.  Vehicles MAY NOT be parked in bus lanes or fire lanes at ANY TIME. Bus lanes and fire lanes are clearly marked. Vehicles parked in these locations may be ticketed and/or towed by the police. Therefore, do not leave your vehicle unattended in front of the school.  If you must leave your vehicle for any reason, park in a designated parking spot.

Bus Transportation

The district provides bus transportation to and from school for all students.  Bus stop assignments will be provided to families at student registration.  

Parents must, at the beginning of the school year, select one bus stop at which a student is to be picked up, and one stop at which a student is to be dropped off.  Students are not permitted to ride a bus other than the bus to which they are assigned. A student may not ride a bus other than his/her regular route as space is limited on buses during normal routes. Exceptions must be approved in advance by the building principal.  

To receive a permanent change in designation of a bus stop, a request must be made in writing to the Transportation Director.  A student will be permitted to ride a route to a new permanent bus stop after approval of the Transportation Director.  This will become the bus stop the child will utilize for the entire year or the remainder thereof.

The safety of children is our first priority; therefore, a note or phone call must be made if after school arrangements have changed.  If there is no note or phone call, the student will be sent home on the bus as required by law.

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 on time 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 and the driver signals you to board.  Enter in single file without pushing.  Always use the handrail.
4. Take a seat right away 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 that may distract the driver. All electronic devices must be silenced and remain in a student’s backpack on the bus.
6. Help keep the bus 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 busses to record student conduct and may be used for the purposes of investigation into misconduct or accidents on the bus.

When hazardous road conditions are present, buses will run on solid roads that have been plowed and are deemed safe.  The bus driver will notify the school and the school will then contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) of student they could not pick up.  If poor conditions persist at the end of the school day, parents will need to pick up their child at the school.

For questions regarding school transportation issues, contact Mrs. Angie Wisehart, Transportation Director (217) 852-3204 ext. 1007.