Important Transportation Information

1. Pontiac School District policy provides a 1.0 mile walk distance for secondary (grades 6th-12th ) students and a 0.5 mile walking distance for Pre K and elementary (K-5) students to a bus stop.
2. Please be at your assigned bus stop location no less than 10 minutes prior to the assigned stop time. Due to many different variables, the bus may run up to 10 minutes early, or 10 minutes late. 
3. Riding the bus is a privilege, not a requirement. Students who choose not to follow the busing protocols may have their bus privileges suspended or revoked. Bus protocols include.
4. Preschool, special needs and kindergarten students shall never be left unattended at any drop off location. Exceptions are made for students with a notarized waiver on file at the transportation department and PSD. The waiver must be updated every school year and approved by the district.
5. Please ensure you have your contact information up to date to receive QCommunications, as any delays or changes to daily bus information will be sent out there. We highly recommend downloading the FirstView app for real time GPS bus tracking as well.
6. Bus stops are created to accommodate a larger group of students within a geographical area. Several factors are involved in determining a bus stop.
7. Students must only ride home on their own bus routes. If you wish to have your student ride home with another student you must make arrangements with your school administrator AND the transportation department at student.services@pontiacservices.com. Your student cannot board a bus that is not their route without prior authorization.

Bus Stop/ Bus Protocols Include:

• Follow the bus driver’s instructions/rules
• Please arrive at the assigned bus stop 10 minutes before the scheduled bus arrival time ready to board, not waiting in a vehicle or at the house. Due to many variables, the bus may run up to 10 minutes early or late. 
• Keep the bus aisles and emergency exits clear at all times.
• Yelling, loud voices, and horseplay is prohibited on the bus.
• Use of personal communication devices are at the driver's discretion. Volumes should be minimal or used with ear buds. The use of recording devices is prohibited.
• Smoking, vaping, and tobacco is prohibited.
• Do not throw any items out the bus windows. 
• Students are required to enter and exit the bus at their designated stop location
• If your student fails to exit the bus at their assigned bus stop, parents will be notified and offered to meet the student at the route’s next school, or the student will be returned once the bus has completed its full route. Please make sure your student is paying attention.
  A list of full bus stop and bus rules can be found in the Student Code of Conduct (pg. 11)

Factors Involved in Determining a Bus Stop

Bus stops are created to accommodate a larger group of students within a geographical area. The transportation coordinator visits all stops regularly throughout the school year to assess the safety and appropriateness of all stops.  Several factors are considered when assessing stops, including, it is prohibited for students to cross more than two lanes of traffic when walking to a bus stop. 

- What other factors are involved in establishing where the school bus stops?

There are many factors which should be taken into consideration when school administrators establish the placement of school bus stops. The basic legal factors are spelled out in MCL 257.1855, but the primary concern is visibility of the bus to other traffic and the consideration of stopping distances necessary for other motor vehicles to accomplish safe loading and unloading of the children. In general, state law requires 400 feet of clear and continuous visibility on a highway or roadway where the speed limit is more than 35 miles per hour, and 200 feet where the speed limit is less than 35 miles per hour.  

If you feel your child's bus stop is unsafe, follow these steps:

1. Parent or legal guardian submits a request to the transportation department.
2. The Transportation Coordinator reviews the request and contacts the parent within 30 days with the final decision. Immediate route adjustments will be made to stops deemed as unsafe by the Coordinator.
3. If you feel the response is unsatisfactory, you may appeal in writing to student.services@pontiacschools.org

We have been working closely with our transportation partner, First Student, to ensure that we have
proper protocols in place on our buses should any circumstances arise involving immigration officers.

• We will be following the recommendations of FERPA for these protocols. If parents need to reach out to transportation to inquire about a student, they should ensure they have their student ID handy. If they need assistance in locating a student’s ID it can be accessed in Parent Portal. For instructions logging into Parent Portal click here.
• In the event a bus is approached by an ICE agent or there is an agent at a bus stop:

  • The student(s) should not interact with the agent and should remain on the bus.

  • Drivers must let the agent know that all requests for student information must be
    made exclusively at our Central Administration Office and direct them to 47200
    Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI

  • Drivers must then contact dispatch, and dispatch must contact the PSD staff hotline
    as outlined in the staff protocols.

Please have Red Cards outlining individuals’ rights available at all buildings and in all departments. If you need templates to print cards or assistance, please contact the Communications Department.

• Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop. 
• Drive with caution when yellow hazard warning lights are flashing on the bus. 

• Students are loading or unloading when red lights are flashing. 
• State law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet from the front and rear of a school bus when red lights are flashing. 
• It is illegal to pass a school bus with flashing red lights.
• Unlawfully driving around a bus with flashing red lights will result in fines, court costs and possibly jail time.
• Watch for children walking in the street, playing and gathering near bus stops especially where sidewalks are not present. 
• Motorists should watch for children walking or biking to school when backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage. 
• Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits. 

New Michigan Law

There are no special laws or regulations for transporting regular education students enrolled in kindergarten. If your district provides transportation, it will be provided in accordance with the requirements of MCL 380.1321, Section 55 of the Pupil Transportation Act, and local district policy with regard to the placement of the bus stop.