• Bus

    Bus Transportation Student Guidelines 

    Student and staff safety are the main focus of the Sherman ISD Transportation Department. Bus rider safety is achieved with the efforts of staff, students, and parents. These guidelines will help us maintain our safety standards.  

    • Students should be at the bus stop at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival time. 
    • Students should load the bus one at a time following any direction from the bus driver or bus assistant, including assigned seating.  
    • Students will remain in their original seats throughout the entire route unless otherwise directed by the driver or bus assistant.
    • Students must comply with all directions from the bus driver or the bus assistant.  
    • Orderly behavior that is not too loud or disruptive in anyway is vital for safe transportation.  
    • Bus transportation is a service we are pleased to offer our eligible riders. To receive and continue transportation service, all riders must be a participant in maintaining a safe and orderly environment.  
    • Bus safety rules are expected to be followed at all times. Failure to follow all bus safety rules will result in riding privileges being revoked. 

    Back-to-School Transportation Guidelines 

    With the new school year just getting underway, we want to highlight important information regarding school bus transportation to ensure a smooth and safe start to the school year. We are committed to ensuring the safety and comfort of all our students during their transportation to and from school.

    • Know the Bus Number & Bus Stop
      • If your child will be riding the bus to and from school, please make sure you and your child are aware of their assigned bus number and bus stop location. To find this information, please utilize the district's Find Your Bus tool. It is essential that both you and your child are familiar with these details.
    • Discuss & Practice with Younger Children
      • For families with younger children, we recommend taking the time to familiarize them with their bus stop and the surrounding area. Walk them to the stop and discuss the route they will take home. Make sure they understand how to recognize the stop and their surroundings. Familiarity with the route will help your child feel confident about their journey.
    • Create an After-School Bus Plan
      • Our bus drivers report that many students are unsure of where to go when they get off the bus, especially when things are out of the ordinary. A clear plan will not only help your child feel secure and prepared, but will also prevent further delays to routes when bus drivers attempt to contact a parent/guardian or make repeated attempts at drop-off. It is crucial that parents sit down with their bus-riding student(s) before they ever get on a school bus, and create a plan for after-school drop-off that addresses the following scenarios:
        1. Arrival at the Bus Stop: If no one is present to receive them when the bus arrives at their stop, your child should know what steps to take. This might include contacting a parent or another designated adult, or following an agreed-upon procedure. All Head Start, Pre-K and Special Education students are required to have a parent or guardian receive them at their bus stop. It is strongly recommended that kindergarten through 2nd grade students have someone receive them, even if it’s an older sibling at the same school. Older students may feel more comfortable having an adult receive them at their stop, though it is not required. Every student needs an after-school plan.
        2. Home Alone: In the event that your child arrives home and finds no one there, it is important for them to know how to proceed. This could involve checking in with a trusted neighbor, staying in a safe place, or calling a designated emergency contact.
        3. Unusual Situations: Discuss what actions to take if your student encounters something unexpected or out of the ordinary. This could involve contacting a parent or guardian immediately or reaching out to local authorities if necessary.
    • Anticipate Delays
      • Please note that on the first day of school, as well as for the initial few days, there might be delays in bus arrival times. These delays could range from 30 to 45 minutes on the first day and 15 to 30 minutes for subsequent days. We appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure the safety and proper routing of all students.
    • Download the App
      • To help alleviate any concerns about bus arrival times, we encourage you to utilize the "Here Comes The Bus" app (Apple) (Android). This app allows you to track the real-time location of your child's school bus on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. With this app, you can have peace of mind knowing when to send your children to the bus stop and when they have arrived.
    • Communicate with the Campus
      • If your child does not ride the bus in the morning on the first day of school, please communicate with the campus if they are riding in the afternoon, and on which bus. After school, if your child's bus arrives, but your child is not on it, we kindly ask you to contact your student's campus to verify whether your child was placed on the correct bus. Campus staff will collaborate with the transportation department to promptly locate your student. To ensure smooth operations, we request that you refrain from directly contacting the transportation department during route times.