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Welcome to Transportation Services
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***Now Hiring Substitute Bus Drivers***
Transportation Information
You can use InfoFinder to locate your child's bus stop. Please pay close attention to Village Green, Carbon River, Rainier Meadows. Certain bus stops are for certain grade levels only. It will specify on the route K-2 only, PTR must walk, OHS only, OMS must walk, OMS only—High school walks.
Based on School Board Policy (6600BP), the district may provide transportation to and from school for a student:
- Whose residence is beyond the one mile radius from the school to which the student is assigned;
- Whose walking route to school is hazardous;
- Whose disability prevents him/her from walking or providing for his/her own welfare while walking; or
- Who has another compelling and legally sufficient reason to receive transportation services. The parent or guardian of a student whose assigned bus stop is beyond the maximum walking distance may receive reimbursement for private transportation at the state mileage reimbursement rate.
students who live within 1 mile walking area of the school or who live outside of the boundary of the school district must provide their own transportation to school. As such, some bus stops are only for students from certain schools. School bus stops may have to be placed only at the entrances to some neighborhoods due to difficult conditions.
Elementary bus tags will be passed out at Open house for all K-5. If you do not receive a bus pass and you know your student rides a bus, please put them on the bus and the school will make sure your student gets a bus pass. Students should wear their bus tags daily, and be visible to the driver. If they lose one, please go to the office and get a new one.
Please have your child arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours of operation for the Transportation Department?
The Transportation Department is staffed from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on school days. Summer hours, as well as extended breaks (winter vacation, spring break, etc.) are flexible; however staff is available to assist families.Is it safe for my children to ride a school bus?
The National Safety Council states that the bus accident rate is 0.01 per 100 million miles traveled versus 0.04 for trains, 0.06 for commercial aviation and 0.96 for other passenger vehicles. That equates to school buses being about nine times safer than other passenger vehicles.Do school buses utilize seat belts?
Some of our school buses are equipped with safety belts. The majority of our buses provide occupant protection by “compartmentalization.” Compartmentalization is the name for the protective envelope created by strong, closely-spaced seats that have energy-absorbing high seat backs that protect occupants in the event of an accident. School buses also have other features that contribute to the high level of safety they provide each occupant. Features such as emergency exit, roof structure, fuel systems, and body joint strength make the bus stronger, larger, heavier, and safer than most other vehicles on the road today.Can the bus driver pick up and drop off my child at our home?
Only certain students, whose needs are addressed through an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), are eligible for “curbside” service. This service is typically restricted to situations where a less restrictive environment is not possible or where medical issues require special circumstances.For all other students, the location of bus stops is determined utilizing safety standards. Stops are placed in locations where they will provide a safe and convenient location for the most students while allowing the district to be efficient and effective. If you have questions or concerns regarding the location of your child’s bus stop, contact the Director of Transportation.
My child has special needs. Who do I contact to initiate transportation?
To initiate transportation for your child, please contact our Special Services Department at (360) 893-6500.Who is the point of contact when buses are late?
If your child’s bus is late, you can contact our office at (360) 893-2302. Please remember that there are many reasons for the bus being late: traffic, road closures, construction, weather, vehicle breakdowns, or a late prior route. It is our intent to begin contacting parents when we become aware that a bus is over ten (15) minutes late, however, please be reminded that we have many buses on the road at any given time.I was late to the bus stop and need to locate my child.
If you are late to your bus stop, please contact our office at (360) 893-2302. Drivers make every attempt to drop the student with their parent, however sometimes it is necessary to take the child either back to the school or to a designated undeliverable site. Our department will assist in reuniting you with your child.Who should I contact to report a change of address or telephone number?
Changes in either address or telephone number need to be initiated at your child’s school.Who do I contact for information regarding my child’s pick up/drop off time and location?
Prior to the start of school, bus route information can be found using InfoFinder under the Transportation routing information. If changes to pickup/drop-off times occur throughout the school year, the driver will notify the students.Why does my child have to walk to school?
The State of Washington funds school districts for transport of regular education elementary school students living further than one (1) mile from their service area school and secondary school students further than two (2) miles from their service area school. Orting School District transports many students, due to safety issues, from boundaries inside of the mandated funding formula. Therefore, we are not reimbursed for the students and must use levy dollars to fund the excess amounts. - Whose residence is beyond the one mile radius from the school to which the student is assigned;
Contact Us
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Director of Transportation
Megan Gentili
(360) 893-2302 x4388
Email: gentilim@orting.wednet.eduTransportation Manager
Loni Storm
(360) 893-2302 x4389
Email: storml@orting.wednet.edu