On the road again–CMS school buses are back beginning Aug. 16

CMS bus drivers will practice their routes for five days each morning and afternoon before the first day of school, Aug. 25.
More than 1,096 school buses will conduct dry runs over the five-day period, starting Aug. 16. Drivers will practice driving their routes and picking up students. The buses will be on the roads from approximately 6 to 9 a.m. and 1:15 to 5 p.m.

“Our students’ safety to and from school is our number-one priority,” said Carol Stamper, executive director of transportation. “We will have a portion of the 1,096 buses on the roads each day, so please be careful and allow extra time to get to your destinations in the mornings and afternoons.”

CMS will have shuttle stops for full magnet middle and high schools this year. Parents will be responsible for getting students to and from the shuttle stops at designated CMS schools. CMS will pick up and drop off students at the assigned shuttle stop. This change is expected to save CMS more than $3.5 million.

Parents should check the location of their child’s bus stop before school starts. Suggestions for parents and children include:
· Walk to and from your child’s bus stop to become familiar with its location.
· Ensure that your child arrives at his/her stop 10 to 15 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
· Tell children to cross the street in front of the school bus after the stop arm and hazard lights come on.
· Remind children to tell the bus driver if something is dropped near the bus.
· Remind children to tell a school administrator or police officer about any disruptive behavior or suspicious activity at stops.
Transportation information, including bus-stop locations, pick-up and drop-off times and bus route-numbers, is being mailed to families. Parents with questions about transportation or a bus stop should call the school or the Transportation office at 980-343-6715.

Parents can also fill out a transportation service request form online to request changes to their child’s transportation schedule.

Media video/photo opportunity: Media may get video or photos at two transportation staging areas during the dry runs: 6520 Orr Road and 3101 Wilkinson Blvd. Please note: Media should get shots on public property and not interrupt drivers at staging locations. Drivers are not available for interviews and ride-alongs are not allowed.

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