Transportation
We hope the information you find here will assist you and us with providing your child the safest ride possible to and from school.
Bus Transportation Guidelines
General Information
- Eligibility
- To be eligible for bus transportation, families must live two or more miles from the campus their child attends (radius distance).
- Exception: childcare facilities are except from the 2 mile rule.
- Routing & Bus Information
- Bus routes start around 5:45 a.m..
- If you have children attending several campuses, please pay attention to the signage on the side of the bus to ensure your children get on the correct bus.
- A new school year is an adjustment for everyone. Our bus drivers have new routes and stops to learn. They also need to review safety protocols with students. Please allow for additional time for pick up and drop off. We ask that you wait 30 minutes after your student’s assigned pick-up time before calling to notify us that your child has not been picked up.
- Elementary students receive home stops, however middle and high school students are picked up at corner stops.
- We only route to/from one address. Split routes will not be accommodated.
- Pick-up and drop-off information
- To avoid delays, it is important to have your child ready to get on the bus 15 minutes prior to their scheduled pick-up time.
- The driver will wait a maximum of two minutes at a designated stop if a student is not present.
- For children attending the Oak or Cherry campus, a parent or guardian should be home by 3:00 p.m. to receive your child. For children attending the Armour campus, a parent or guardian should be home by 4:00 p.m.
- The bus driver is required to observe your child entering the home.
- IF THE BUS DRIVER IS UNABLE TO DELIVER YOUR CHILD, THE CHILD WILL BE RETURNED TO THE SCHOOL. REPEATED OFFENSES (2+ times) WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF TRANSPORTATION.
- Transportation Changes or Concerns
If you wish to make a permanent change in your child’s transportation plan, please contact the office of the campus your child attends and complete a transportation form or fill out the form on this page and email it back. The form can be picked up at any campus.
- Armour – 816-361-7735 – Lena Houfaidi, lehoufaidi@academielafayette.org
- Cherry – 816-888-7400 – Danielle Coates, dcoates@academielafayette.org
- Oak – 816-361-7735 – Crista Peeler, cpeeler@academielafayette.org
Any concerns regarding transportation should be directed to the building managers. Compliments are always appreciated as well.
Student Behavior Expectations
- General Conduct
- Students must obey the bus driver at all times.
- Students should board the bus in an orderly fashion, and remain seated during the entire
- trip.
- Loud talking, yelling, and inappropriate language are prohibited.
- No eating, drinking, or littering is allowed on the bus.
- Vandalism or destruction of the bus or bus property will result in disciplinary action and/or
- restitution.
- Respectful Behavior
- Students must be respectful to the driver, other students, and any school staff on the bus.
- Bullying, fighting, or any form of physical or verbal harassment will not be tolerated.
- Safety Procedures
- Students must keep all body parts inside the bus and refrain from throwing objects.
- Emergency exits are to be used only in the event of an emergency.
- Backpacks and personal items must be kept out of the aisles.
- Seating Assignments
- Drivers may assign seats to ensure order and discipline on the bus. Students are expected to follow assigned seating arrangements.
- Consequences for Violations
- First Offense: Verbal warning and written report from the driver and notification to the parents from school administration.
- Second Offense: Written report to the parent/guardian and possible suspension from the bus for 1-3 days.
- Third Offense: Conference with the parent/guardian and suspension from the bus for 3-5 days.
- Severe Infractions: Immediate suspension or permanent removal from the bus. Examples include fighting, vandalism, or other safety violations.
Parent/Guardian Behavior Expectations
- General Conduct
- Parents/guardians are expected to demonstrate respectful and appropriate behavior when interacting with bus drivers, transportation staff, and other students.
- Aggressive, threatening, or abusive language or actions toward school staff, students, or other parents will not be tolerated.
- Bus Stop Etiquette
- Parents/guardians should ensure that their children are at the bus stop on time. Drivers will not wait for students beyond the 2 minute wait time.
- Any concerns or complaints regarding transportation should be addressed to dispatch or the school administration, not the bus driver, at the appropriate time.
- Consequences for Violations
- First Offense: Written warning regarding inappropriate behavior and 1 week suspension from the bus.
- Second Offense: Conference with school officials and potential restriction from being present at bus stops.
- Severe Infractions: In cases of extreme or repeated inappropriate behavior, the school district reserves the right to contact law enforcement or take legal action, and the parent may be banned from all school-related transportation interactions.
Reporting Incidents
Students and parents are encouraged to report any issues related to behavior on the bus to dispatch (816-708-4866) or the school administration. Concerns will be investigated promptly, and appropriate action will be taken.
Note: This policy is subject to revision as needed. Compliance with these rules is critical to maintaining a safe and effective school transportation system. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in disciplinary action, up to and including suspension from school transportation services.
Thank you for your support in ensuring our school buses are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure.
Forms
To add, change, or drop bus transportation, please email or return the completed form to your campus building manager (Armour: lehoufaidi@academielafayette.org, Cherry: dcoates@academielafayette.org, Oak: cpeeler@academielafayette.org).
Académie Lafayette Bus Dispatch Information
Ms Debbie (morning)
816-708-4866
Ms Tracy (afternoon)
816-708-4866
Académie Lafayette Transportation Coordinator
LaQuita Looney
816-663-1052
llooney@academielafayette.org
AL Bus Transportation Policies
1. Please submit your transportation change form to building manager by end of day Tuesday in order for those changes to take place the following Monday. Forms submitted on Thursday or Friday will take effect the week after next.
2. Students who do not ride for 5 consecutive school days will be removed from the bus route. If your student has been removed, please fill out a transportation change form in order to reinstate bus service.