Transportation

• In district buses and Kellenberg High School ~ Guardian Bus Co. 516-723-3287
• Out of District Buses ~ First Student Bus Co. 516-867-6400

Safety Information

At Freeport Public Schools, the safety of our students is our top priority, and that commitment begins the moment they step onto a school bus. Through rigorous driver training, regular vehicle inspections, and clear safety procedures, we work every day to ensure safe, reliable transportation for every child. We partner closely with our transportation contractors, staff, students, and families to create a culture where school bus safety always comes first.

Bus Stops

• Please be at the bus stop ten minutes before the scheduled pick up and drop off times.
• Students should stand back from the road and move to board the bus once the bus has stopped completely.
• If students must cross the street to get on or off the bus, they must follow the driver's safe crossing instructions. 
• Parents or guardians at the bus stop must also cross the street following the bus driver's signal and the safe crossing procedures. 
• Bus stops are established at pickup points to pick up multiple students, usually at intersecting streets. Curb to curb bus service will not be provided unless approved by the BOE upon the recommendation of the CSE.
• Bus stop changes cannot be made by the school bus driver, please do not ask them for changes. Contact the transportation department for any change requests.
• Students in Grades Pre k and K must have an adult with them at the bus stop. Parent/guardians are responsible for making arrangements to have an adult meet their pre-kindergarten/kindergarten student at the designated bus stop. Students in all other grades can be let off upon arrival at their bus stop. Contingency plans should be put in place by the parent/guardian with their child if no one is at the stop.

School Bus Conduct

Parents and guardians play a vital role in the safe operation of their child’s school bus in many ways. Parents should be aware of and reinforce the following school bus safety information with their children:

• Explain the importance of safe behavior on the bus – students should not stand while the bus is in motion, eat or drink on the bus and generally should use “inside” voices on the school bus;
• Students may not fight, smoke/vape, or throw objects around or out of the school bus.  Students should observe the same behavior on the bus as they would in the classroom;
• Students should follow the directives of the school bus driver;
• Students may only board their assigned bus and get on and off at their assigned bus stop. If a student misses their stop, they should inform the driver so the driver can return to their stop;
• Objects should be secured safely in a backpack so students do not drop any items while loading or unloading from the school bus;
• The school bus driver is authorized to assign seats; 
• Bus passes must be carried with each student every day and must be available to show it upon request;
• All reported and/or perceived acts of bullying will be referred to the Building Administrators for investigation as per the Dignity Act for All Students regulation;
• When leaving the bus, move away from the vehicle immediately. If you can touch the bus, you are too close;
• Only students are permitted to board Freeport School District buses; and
• Failure to adhere to bus rules may result in suspension from transportation.

Riding the school bus is a privilege. There are consequences for unsafe and inappropriate behavior on the bus. Everyone is entitled to a safe and peaceful ride on the school bus.

School bus transportation is provided to students meeting the following eligibility guidelines as specified by the Board of Education.

K-12 students are eligible for out-of-district transportation if the out-of-district program is within 15 miles of the student's residence as well as adhering to the mileage policy above. Pre-Kindergarten students attending out-of-district programs are not eligible for transportation.  Please use the forms above to apply for transportation for the upcoming school year.  Applications must be filed with the Transportation Department by the April 1st deadline.

Approved Requests for Transportation Changes:

When the request for a change is approved, your child will be issued a new bus pass from their school building. Once the new pass comes home, the change to bus transportation takes place the following day. Please attach the bus pass to your child's backpack.