Parent Information and Bus Safety

General Information for Parents: 

  1. School bus route pick-up times are approximated following the June 30th bus registration deadline. 
  2.  In the week prior to the first day of school, all school bus drivers will:
  • complete a dry run to confirm times and identify any safety concerns along the route;
  • contact parents on their route with pick up and drop off times; and,
  • provide their contact information.

All students riding the school bus must be registered on the school bus. Parents can register their children for the school bus by completing the online form.

Parents must remember that transportation is a shared responsibility. Sudden changes can happen on a daily basis.

Parents are expected to:

  • check the Bus Status App daily for indications of delay or cancellation;
  • discuss appropriate bus behaviours (see Bus Rules below) with their children to ensure the safety of all riders and to contribute to a welcoming, respectful, caring, and safe environment for everyone on the bus; and,
  • keep current contact information on file with the bus driver, the office team, and the school.

GYPSD takes pride in being prepared for the unexpected including inclement weather, traffic delays, and mechanical issues. We ask for everyone to work together, including students, schools, parents, and staff to ensure that all students have a safe ride to and from school.

We expect our school bus drivers to operate their buses in a safe and caring manner at all times, and we expect our staff, parents, and students to be treated in a fair and courteous way. Bus drivers cannot answer their phones while operating a bus.  

We encourage parents, schools, and stakeholders to contact the Transportation Services office at transportation@gypsd.ca with questions or comments or to bring attention to any safety concerns.

Transportation Services

(780)-723-4471 ext. 107
transportation@gypsd.ca

School Bus Delays and/or Cancellations

There are many reasons why a school bus route may be delayed or canceled. When there are route delays or cancellations, parents, schools, students, and interested stakeholders must stay informed to ensure they receive instant notification when there is a change in the status of a bus route.

Our first priority is always the safety and well-being of students. 

Due to the varied reasons for school bus delays or cancellations, school bus drivers may not be able to personally call affected families on the changed status of their child’s school bus route. 

All school bus route cancellations and delays in excess of 10 minutes are posted on the website and on the bus status app.

Parents, students, caregivers, and schools can access up-to-date information by:

  1. Following the Bus Status App on their phones (available on Google Play or Apple)
  2. Checking the GYPSD website for school bus updates on the Bus Status Icon located in the top right-hand corner.

Bad Weather

School bus services may be suspended due to bad weather and/or road conditions; however, the school will be open.

Transportation Services will source temperature, road, and weather information from various sources including Environment Canada and The Weather Network.

  1. A decision on whether bus services are cancelled per zone will be determined by 6 am wherever possible.
  2. Transportation Services may suspend bus services in a community or area when the temperature reaches -36C or –40C with the wind chill.
  3. Bus services may also be suspended for an individual bus route, community, or area if road conditions or other factors are unsafe as deemed by the Director of Transportation Services.

Cancelled or Delayed Bus Routes

  1. Transportation Services will post school bus delays and cancellations on the Bus Status App and on the website which will be updated on a regular basis.
  2. School bus cancellations may be for the entire day. Please note that parents who transport their children to school on a day when bus service has been suspended because of inclement weather or hazardous road conditions shall be responsible for the transport of their children at the end of the school day if the bus isn't running in the PM as well.

Field Trip Considerations during Bad Weather

Field trips scheduled where inclement weather conditions are in effect or when school bus cancellations have been posted due to inclement weather are subject to the school administrators’ decision in consultation with the Director of Transportation Services.

Rules for Riding the Bus. 

Our school buses are extensions of our classrooms.

We have the same expectations of student behaviour on our buses as in our classrooms: welcoming, respectful, safe, and caring.

Before getting on the bus…

  • Be at your designated pick-up location, 3-5 minutes before your scheduled pick-up.
  • We live in a cold climate: dress for the weather including footwear, outerwear, headwear, and gloves/mitts. Our drivers will be in touch if they have concerns.
  • At the bus stop, do not stand or play on the road. No pushing or shoving. Stay clear of the bus and make sure the bus driver can see you at all times.
  • Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop. Walk to or from the bus: do not run. Get on the bus in single file without crowding or pushing.
  • If you have to cross the road, do so at least 10 paces in front of the bus and make eye contact with the driver. NEVER cross behind the bus. Wait for the driver’s signal before crossing. Look both ways.
  • When boarding and getting off the bus make sure that the bus driver can see you at all times.
  • Once on the bus, go directly to your seat. Sit down before the bus resumes motion.

Remember…

  1. Your bus driver is in full charge of the bus at all times. Please obey the bus driver promptly and respectfully.
  2. Students must face forward and remain seated at all times. Students must not extend body parts out of the windows.
  3. Students must remain in their seats until the bus has come to a stop. Standing and moving around while the bus is moving is NOT permitted.
  4. Students must keep their backpacks on their laps, not in the aisle where someone may trip over them.
  5. Once students have boarded the school bus they may not get off the bus until they have reached the school or their home stop — unless they ride on a transfer bus.
  6. Tobacco, alcohol, or drugs are strictly prohibited.
  7. Students must not vandalize or damage the bus or other property on the bus.
  8. Littering of any kind will not be tolerated.
  9. The inappropriate use of electronic devices is prohibited. Videotaping the driver or other students is not allowed and may result in the device being confiscated.
  10. Dangerous objects and/or weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited.

What not to bring on the bus?  

Students should try to only bring a backpack on the bus.  

We follow Alberta Transportation’s list of no-nos: animals, firearms/weapons, explosives, flammable items, fuel, big band instruments, big bags, skateboards, snowboards, baseball bats, skis, sleighs, and toboggans.

In short, any item that is hard to secure becomes a projectile in a sudden stop which can cause severe injury to others on the bus and/or block an aisle or emergency exit.

Parent's Role:

  1. Download the Bus Status App. 

  2. Accompany your child to their bus stop and ensure they know a safe route to and from the stop before the first day of school; parents are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children while waiting for the bus.

  3. Discuss the bus rules with your child and make sure they understand to listen to the bus driver at all times.

  4. Practice proper traffic safety rules with your child(ren) to remind them to be aware of traffic and school buses.

  5. Have a plan for when the school bus is late or cancelled.

  6. Make sure your child has dressed appropriately for the weather.

  7. Remember that students are required to load or unload the school bus at their designated stop, and require parent permission to load or unload at an alternate stop on their regular bus route.

  8. Permission may be provided by note or telephone call to the driver, the student’s school, or the Transportation office during business hours.

  9. Notify your school bus driver if your child(ren) will not be riding the school bus.

  10. Notify Transportation Services when school bus service is no longer required.

  11. Remember that if your child willfully causes damage to a school bus, the Division may seek reimbursement of the repair cost from that student’s parents/ guardians.

Your cooperation in supporting our efforts to safely transport all students is sincerely appreciated. 

Please see the Danger Zone image below to help your child be Bus Smart!

Danger Zone