At East Troy Community School District, the safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. In partnership with families, we are committed to providing safe, respectful, and reliable transportation. The following expectations and procedures apply to all transportation, including regular routes, field trips, and extracurricular activities.
🚦 PBIS Bus Expectations
We follow Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) both in schools and on our buses:
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Be Respectful:
➤ Use Level 2 (partner) voices
➤ Speak using appropriate language
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Be Responsible:
➤ Sit in your assigned seat
➤ Keep hands, feet, and belongings to yourself
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Be Safe:
➤ Stay seated and face forward
➤ No food or drink on the bus
➤ Follow the driver’s instructions at all times
These expectations are posted on each bus and are reviewed regularly.
🕐 Pick-Up Reminders
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Arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time.
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For the first two weeks of school, arrive 10 minutes early to allow for route adjustments.
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Students should never run to catch the bus—doing so can result in serious injury.
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Drivers are required to stay on schedule and cannot wait for late arrivals.
🏠 Drop-Off Procedures
📋 Seating & Conduct Guidelines
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Drivers may assign seats based on age or family groupings.
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Younger students typically sit toward the front; older students in the back.
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Most seats hold 2 students; up to 3 only when necessary.
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Riders must stay in their assigned seats for the entire route.
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Proper posture (sitting forward, not leaning into the aisle) is critical for safety.
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Horseplay, throwing objects, or hanging out windows is prohibited.
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Windows may be opened only with driver permission and must be closed at your stop.
🧃 No Food or Drink
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Eating and drinking on the bus is not allowed.
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Spills and wrappers create safety hazards and cleaning challenges.
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Students must finish any food/drinks before boarding.
🎒 Large Items
🚏 Bus Stop Changes & Requests
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Students must ride their assigned route and stop.
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Requests for students to get off at different stops (e.g., babysitting) must go through the school office. No changes will be made for social reasons (e.g., playdates).
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Allow 3 business days for processing bus changes.
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Contact the transportation office at 262-642-6710 x5901 or complete Online Registration to set up transportation.
🧒 For Elementary Riders
🎥 Bus Surveillance
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All buses are equipped with digital video cameras to help ensure safety and monitor rider behavior.
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If concerns arise, footage will be reviewed by school administrators.
🚨 Behavior & Communication
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Drivers will issue gentle reminders for minor issues.
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Continued concerns will be reported to the school and families will be contacted.
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Student safety depends on driver focus, so parent cooperation is essential.
📍 Contact Information
Transportation Department
📍 2021 West Street, East Troy, WI 53120
📞 262-642-6710 x5902
📧 Diane Hepner – hepdia@easttroy.k12.wi.us, Rachel Neubauer – neurac@easttroy.k12.wi.us
By working together, we can ensure a safe, respectful, and smooth transportation experience for everyone. Thank you for your support!
Stopfinder is an easy-to-use, all-in-one app that gives you secure access to your student’s bus schedule and real-time transportation updates from East Troy Community School District.
🛠️ What You Can Do with Stopfinder
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📅 View Daily Transportation Schedules
Access pick-up/drop-off times, bus numbers, and transfer information (if applicable).
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👨👩👧👦 Securely Share Schedules
Grant access to caregivers, grandparents, or others who support your student’s routine.
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🔔 Receive Alerts & Notifications
Stay informed about route changes, delays, and transportation updates instantly.
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💬 Communicate with Transportation Staff
Send private, direct messages to the East Troy Community School District Transportation Department.
📲 How to Get Started
1. Install the Stopfinder App
Download from the App Store or Google Play on your mobile device.
2. Activate Your Account
Only designated parent/guardian contacts will receive access. You will receive an email invitation from Stopfinder to activate your account.
⚠️ If you do not receive your activation email by August 30, please contact our Transportation Office at 262-642-6710 ext. 5901 or email hepdia@easttroy.k12.wi.us.
3. Share with Caregivers (Optional)
Once activated, you may securely share your student’s transportation schedule with others (sub-subscribers) as needed.
Your child’s transportation details—right at your fingertips.
Start the school year prepared and connected with Stopfinder.
📅 Scheduling
Who do I contact with questions or changes to my student’s weekly transportation schedule?
Please reach out to Diane Hepner, Transportation Administrative Assistant, at least one week in advance (minimum 24 hours' notice) of any schedule changes.
📞 (262) 642-6710 ext. 5901
✉️ hepdia@easttroy.k12.wi.us
How do I report my student’s absence?
If your student will be absent and is the only one picked up at their stop, notify Diane by 6:00 AM or ideally the day prior.
📞 (262) 642-6710 ext. 5901
✉️ hepdia@easttroy.k12.wi.us
Can my child ride home with a friend?
Per Board Policy, students may only ride their assigned bus unless it is an emergency and cleared by the school office.
Where can I find my student’s bus schedule?
Bus schedules will be shared via email in late August, at your school’s Ready, Set, Go conferences, and on the Stopfinder app.
🛑 Safety
What is a "Red Runner"?
A Red Runner is a driver who fails to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and extended stop arm—this is dangerous and illegal. Stop arm cameras are now installed on all buses to assist law enforcement and improve student safety.
📍 Routing
Why doesn’t the bus stop in front of my house?
Several factors determine stop locations, including road width (must be 18 ft), safe turnarounds, and presence of sidewalks. Group stops are often used to shorten ride times and increase efficiency.
Why is my child on the bus for so long?
Our routing is reviewed annually for safety and efficiency. We aim to keep rides under one hour. Routes are designed to avoid unsafe crossings and accommodate high-risk roads (e.g., Hwy 120, 20, L, D, ES) where red light violations are more frequent. We also balance ride times—students with short AM rides may have longer PM rides and vice versa.
🌟 Recognition
How can I recognize a bus driver who went above and beyond?
We love celebrating our drivers! Send a message of appreciation to:
✉️ Rachel Neubauer, Transportation Director – neurac@easttroy.k12.wi.us
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