Transportation and Bus Protocols for Parents

School buses used to transport students must not exceed the following maximum capacity requirements:

• ​​​​Phase 1: 25% (one per seat with every other seat empty; Members of the same household may sit in the same seat or adjacent seats, with an empty seat between household groups;
• Phase 2: 50% capacity (one per seat, Members of the same household may sit in the same seat or adjacent seats). Multiple trips may be required to pick up all students on the route.
• Phase 3: 75% capacity (Members of the same household may sit in the same seat or adjacent seats). Multiple trips may be required to pick up all students on the route.​

Passengers on a school bus must be spaced to the greatest extent possible.

Bus should be loaded from the back seat to the front seat and unloaded from the front seat to the back seat. Drivers may make exceptions for students who need special seat assignments.

Bus operators will be required to wear face covering while on duty. 

Students (3rd grade and up) will be required to wear face coverings at all times. Students in grades PreK through 2 may wear face coverings, however, it is not mandatory. 

Upon entering the bus, all  passengers will be required to sanitize their hands using hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer will be provided by the district.

Parents and students should maintain social distance at bus stops and  avoid congregating in groups while waiting for the bus.

Windows should be open at all times to facilitate air flow as weather conditions permit.

There will be a staggering of students when unloading and loading of buses at school to minimize student group size as they enter and exit schools. Six feet distance must be maintained  while entering and exiting the school. Temps will be taken as students enter school, not on the bus.

Bus drivers will clean high-touch surfaces, including seats and handrails, after each group’s use. At the end of the day, the bus will  be extensively cleaned. 

Student seating charts will  be established and maintained.

IPSB strongly encourages families to drop off their children and to pick them up from school when possible. Parents should complete the  survey (found on IPSB’s website) so that bus riders can be finalized. 

Due to social distancing, parents and school staff should expect an increase in the amount of time that routes may take to complete. Additional routes may be established pending bus riders. 

Bus riders schedule: Elementary students will attend school every day. Middle and High schools will operate under a Hybrid or blended schedule. Group A will attend face to face on Monday and Tuesday and virtually Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Group B will attend face to face on Thursday and Friday and virtual day of instruction for all middle and high school students. There will be no bus routes on Wednesday for grades 7-12th. SPED self contained students who ride SPED buses will attend school every day. ACE students will attend school every day.