Hillside School

Transportation to and from school is available for students in the Montclair Public School District who meet the eligibility requirements. These requirements are based on the shortest walking distance from the students’ residence to the school they are attending. According to board policy, transportation will be provided for the following students:

• All elementary students who reside 1.25 miles or more from their assigned district school.

• All middle school students who reside 1.25 miles or more from their assigned district school.

• All high school students who reside 2.25 miles or more from the district high school.

• All PreK school students who reside 2.0 miles or more from their assigned district school.

  Eligible students will be automatically assigned a bus to and from the home address. Parents will be able to see their students’ assignment on Genesis under the busing tab in mid-august, typically along with the release of class schedules.

  The AM and PM stop time indicated on bus assignments are best estimates of arrival. Your student should be at their designated stop 10 minutes prior to their scheduled arrival time and allow up to 10 minutes after for the return stops.

  Students are to be picked up and discharged at their assigned stops only. Drivers are not allowed to relocate stops. Students cannot switch buses for playdates, etc.
  Bus stops and routes cannot be changed.

  The district can only provide one route per student. Busing is provided for the main residence listed in Genesis (if eligible) as per NJDOE.

  6A:27-6.5 Students residing in shared custody homes:
  (a)Transportation for students living in shared custody homes shall be the responsibility of the resident district board of education.
  (b) Resident district boards of education shall be responsible for transportation of a student living in shared custody homes from only one residence within the school district.
  (c) The resident district board of education shall be determined in the same manner as prescribed by N.J.A.C. 6A:22-3.1 whether the student’s parents or legal guardians are domiciled within different homes in the same school district or in different school districts.

Corner/Bus Stops: Students in grades K-5 MUST be escorted on and off the bus by a parent/guardian. (Grades 6-12 do not need to be accompanied from the bus stop.) If you prefer that your (K-5) student walks home from the bus stop unaccompanied by an adult, please submit the permission to walk form (see more information below). In the event a guardian is not present for a K-5 student, they will stay on the bus and be dropped off at the next school on that route. The student will wait in the office of that school while school staff contacts the parent/guardian.

Curb-to-Curb Stops: All students assigned to C2C busing must be escorted on and off the bus by a parent/guardian. Due to the nature of the service, if a parent is not at home at the time of drop off, and cannot be contacted, school and bus staff may have no other choice but to contact child services or the Montclair Police Station to ensure their safely as they await parent/guardian to arrange pickup.

Alternate Child Care Bus Stop: Alternate transportation to or from a babysitter or daycare center is available, provided the following requirements are met. If you would like to apply, please complete the Alternate Address form. Once submitted please allow up to 5 days for processing. The Transportation Department will contact you when completed.

• The student must be eligible for transportation from their home address first.

• All assignments are made on a 5 day a week basis. The students cannot

  receive alternate transportation any less than 5 days a week.

• Students are not allowed to switch buses for playdates or study dates, etc.

  Permission to Walk from Bus Stop: If you would like to allow your (K-5) student to walk home from the bus stop unattended you MUST submit a Permission to Walk form. The form can be obtained from the district website, the school office, or the transportation office.

  Students in grades 6-12 are automatically allowed to walk from the bus stop unattended if no one is there to escort them. A note is not required for 6-12.

NOTE: Permission to walk notes will NOT be authorized for the first week of

school to allow bus staff the chance to familiarize themselves with the routes

and their roster of students.

Subscription Busing

To Apply for Subscription Busing:

1. Complete the Application and submit it in one of the following ways:

• Mail to: Montclair Board of Education, 22 Valley Road, Montclair 07042.

  Attn: Transportation Department / Subscription Busing

• Bring the application in person to the BOE at 22 Valley Rd. Make sure the envelope states Transportation Department / Subscription Busing

  2. Payment: Certified checks only. Payment is non-refundable.
  3. Do not submit any payments until you have discussed your stop with the

  Transportation Department.

  4. Fee Schedule: Fee per student $1,395.00. Family Cap $2,790.00.

  Please Note: All families who qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch for the 26-27 school year will be eligible for subscription busing at no cost with proper documentation/verification. Please verify your eligibility before registering for subscription busing services. Contact the Business Office at 973-509-4020, Ext.50608 for verification.

  The Transportation Department will notify families once seating capacity is determined (Mid to late September). Payment is due within three days of notification. Stops cannot be changed or added. Students will be assigned to existing bus stops and routes.

  REMINDERS... Alternate Stops, Subscription Busing, and Permission to Walk forms are voided at the end of each school year and must be resubmitted if still needed for the next school year.

  REMINDERS... The AM and PM times indicated on bus assignments are best estimates of arrival. Your student should be at their designated stop 10 minutes prior to their scheduled arrival time and allow up to 10 minutes after for the return stops. All arrival times are subject to change as needed and may be adjusted throughout the first few months of the school year.

  REMINDERS... Please make sure your contact information is updated on the Genesis Portal so that you are able to receive text and or email messages from the Transportation Department.

INQUIRIES

For Transportation Inquiries Please Email:

MPSD Transportation [email protected]
PLEASE ENTER ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ON THE SUBJECT LINE SO WE CAN

DIRECT YOUR INQUIRY ACCORDINGLY:

Bus Eligibility Question Missing Bus Assignment Existing Bus / Stop Question Incorrect School or Address Subscription Busing Alternate Address Permission to Walk

STAFF INFORMATION

Transportation Supervisor

Constance Mattison 973-509-4000 Ext 50609 Email: [email protected]

Transportation Secretary

Donna Hamblin 973-509-4000 Ext 50610 Email: [email protected]