Transportation Department
November 2023
Transportation Update
Dear Parents and Guardians:
We are excited to announce that the Transportation Department has it’s own web page on the District’s site. Please click on the bus icon to see when the bus services certain streets and areas in our district. We don’t publish addresses so please be out at your bus stop five minutes before the posted time. Times will adjust after the first few days of school.
Additionally, the District completed a safe walk routes to school analysis last year and is implementing the following changes:
The District is adding bus service to students living within the one mile walking radius to Harrah Elementary and Middle School. Students living inside this radius are now eligible to ride the bus to and from school at the following stops:
Harold’s Market (students living South of Branch)
Old Harrah School Elementary (students living North of Branch)
Washington and Branch (only for students that live in this specific neighborhood)
Bus Routes 1, 3, 4 and 6 service these stops in the morning and afternoon.
Students living in the town of White Swan will have service at the following locations:
Elm and Curtis
Walnut and Curtis
Birch and Curtis
Bird Song Lane and Signal Peak (Students residing in Totus Park)
We thank you for your patience as we work through these changes. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Eduardo Quintanilla, Transportation Supervisor at (509) 874-8610.
AM Bus Route - Pickup Times
This Google Sheet lists the approximate pickup times for our morning bus routes. Each route has its own tab - please click on the route you need on the bottom of the Sheet.
Online Trip Request Form
Please use this link to request transportation using a District vehicle. An MASD email account will be required to Submit your request. (District email account required to fill out)
Mt. Adams District Boundary Map
Students living inside the red perimiter are considered in District. Outside of the red perimiter (Westside -Wapato) are considered out of District and will need to conduct an out of District "Choice Form". Choice Forms can be obtained at the District Office. There is no transportation for out of District students. Pick up locations will be arranged based on availability.
Bus Expectations
Riding a school bus is a privilege. It is imperative that all students maintain safe behaviors on or near the school bus. The goal of Mt. Adams School District’s transportation department is to provide safe and timely bus service for the students of the district. School bus routes and stops are planned to provide the safest, most efficient, and most cost-effective service under all weather and road conditions. Students and parents are expected to cooperate with bus drivers to promote bus safety.
These rules and regulations were created by the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction with the advice of the Chief of the Washington State Patrol and the Director of Highways for the State of Washington. Students will observe the same conduct as required in the classroom.
Be courteous. Use appropriate language and cooperate with the driver.
Do not eat or drink on the bus, students must keep their area clean.
Do not smoke, use tobacco, vape pens, matches or lighters.
Keep your hands and feet to yourself at all times.
Stay seated in your seat, out of the aisle facing forward at all times.
Bus drivers are authorized to assign seats with an end date at supervisor discretion..
Students cannot have anything in their possession that may cause injury or harm to another student.
No balloons of any type are allowed on buses.
Students may not spray perfume or cologne on buses.
Aerosol cans of any kind are not allowed.
Students must remove hoodies prior to getting on the bus. Hats are ok.
Students may not make phone calls on the bus. Texting is ok.
Students must cross the road in front of the bus, never behind it.
No student shall sit in the driver’s seat.
No glass container of any kind.
BUS CONSEQUENCES
Minor Offenses:
Minor behaviors- things that are not an imminent safety threat that is managed by the school bus driver and Transportation Supervisor.
Student receives verbal redirection for a minor behavior- bus driver managed. (results in assigned seat, conference, remedial support)
Student receives a second or third written warning (known as a “knock it off” slip) for an offense of behavior- bus driver and Transportation Supervisor managed.
Student receives a referral for a fourth infraction, and now moves to both school Administrator managed and Transportation Supervisor managed. Discipline could include short-term suspension from bus riding privileges.
Student receives a referral for a fifth or subsequent infraction. Discipline could include longer-term or permanent suspension from bus riding privileges.
Major Offenses:
Major offenses are things that pose a threat to the safety of others and the students themselves on the bus. This is a situation that would prevent the driver from continuing to drive. These include and are not limited to verbal threats or abusive behavior to other students, staff, or self, and or physical threats or acts of violence to other students, staff, or self.
After a major offense, the student is removed from the bus pending an investigation. If the incident happens on the way to school or at the school the student will not be permitted to ride the bus home. The Transportation Supervisor will be involved and partner with the school to communicate with parents. Transportation Supervisor and/or School-based Administrator may revoke bus-riding privileges for major behaviors.
Length of suspension for the first infractions:
First major offense will be a minimum of 3 school days.
Second major offense will be a minimum of 10 school days.
Third major offense may result in an indefinite suspension of bus riding privileges for the remainder of the school year. These types of infractions may warrant the possibility of a loss of bus riding privileges for the year if deemed appropriate by the Transportation Supervisor and/or School-based Administrator.
Severe misbehavior or fighting: Shall result in immediate loss of riding privileges. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified by telephone, by the school administrator who issues the suspension.
Appeal Process - The student or parent(s)/guardian(s) of a student who has been suspended from receiving transportation riding privileges may appeal the decision by submitting a written statement to the Associate Superintendent of Business Services. The Director of Business of and Operations shall render a decision, which is final, after evaluating the issues and facts involved.
Parents or guardians of students identified as causing damage to school buses shall be charged with the cost to repair damage, such as materials, labor, and extraordinary clean-up time of staff; Students causing the damage may be suspended from transportation privileges as well as subject to disciplinary action.
Under RCW 28A.635.060, the school district may withhold the grades, diploma, and transcripts of a student responsible for intentional damage or loss to the property of the district, a contractor of the district, an employee, or another student until the student or the student’s parent or guardian has paid for the damages. If a student has been suspended or expelled, the student may not be readmitted until the student or parents or legal guardian has made payment in full, or until the superintendent directs otherwise. If the property damaged is a school bus owned and operated by the district, a student suspended for the damage may not be permitted to enter or ride any school bus until the student or parent or legal guardian has made payment in full or until directed otherwise by the superintendent.
Use of Music Devices on the Bus
Music devices may be used while riding the bus to and from school. Guidelines for using music devices on a bus or other forms of school transportation are at the driver’s discretion. For safety reasons, students will not have both ear buds/phone in while listening to music on electronic devices.
Changing Bus Routes
All requests for changes to regularly scheduled transportation services must be received by the building office by 10:00 am. All requests are subject to Transportation Supervisor approval. If an emergency arises, students may have their route changed, but the office must be given written notification by fax, email, or by the parent or guardian coming into the office.
Bus Stop Rules
It is the student’s responsibility to be at the bus stop five (5) minutes prior to the bus arriving. Any student 3rd grade and below will need a parent/guardian to meet them when the student gets off the bus. If there is an older sibling with the student, the younger student may accompany the older student. Any students remaining on the bus after the end of the route will be taken to one of the two school campuses. The parent or guardian will be notified where and when to pick up their student.
If students are not at their bus stops for several days in a row the Transportation Supervisor may deactivate the bus stop. To reactivate the bus stop the parent or guardian must call the Transportation Supervisor to make arrangements.
Questions regarding bus arrival/departure times should be directed to the Transportation Supervisor at 509-874-8610.