Late or Cancelled Buses
It is really cold outside. Is my child's bus still running?
Safety of students is our first concern. GPPSD's contractor, First Student Canada, works with us to make every effort to get students to/from school safely in all weather situations.
Buses will run until the temperature are equal to or lower than -40 degrees Celsius without the wind-chill, or -48 degrees Celsius with the wind-chill. Temperatures, road conditions and traffic alerts are assessed at 6:00 am. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately (i.e.. hats, gloves, snow pants, winter jacket, winter boots). Learn more by reading GPPSD's Administrative Procedure:
AP-132 Inclement Weather and Other Emergencies
How do I know if my child's bus is late or cancelled?
The best way to find out where your child's bus is, or if it is cancelled, is to download the free
FirstView App. This free app is available for both mobile devices and desktop computers. On a mobile device, you can set up push notifications.
These are the other ways GPPSD informs families and students of bus cancellations:
- GPPSD posts cancellation alert boxes on the website and school websites
- GPPSD sends emails to parents/guardians who have signed up for an email notification.
- Cancellations may be shared on local radio stations and/or on Facebook or Twitter.
Busing Eligibility
Is my child eligible for Busing?
To
be eligible for a bus pass a student must live within the Grande Prairie city
limits and meet the
edibility criteria. Exceptions include students registered in Programs of Choice and Schools of Choice. The exception does not include students approved for boundary exemptions.
If your child does not meet that criteria, there could be the opportunity to become a Paid Rider. Please contact GPPSD Transportation Department (780) 539-7419 and ask about Paid Rider status for your child.
I live outside of the City of Grande Prairie city limits, is there busing?
No, GPPSD does not offer busing outside the City of Grande Prairie city limits. Transportation may be accessed from an existing bus stop within the city limits for a fee if there is room on the bus. Please contact GPPSD Transportation Department (780) 539-7419.
My child is attending STEM K-8 or Music Grades 5-8 Program of Choice, is there busing available?
Busing is only available if the school you are attending is the boundary school and your child qualifies for busing.
Busing Fees
My child is a Paid Bus Rider, how much will it cost?
For the 2023/2024 school year, full day bussing is $32/month per student. Half day bussing (Kindergarten and Montessori preschool) is $58/month per student.
How do I pay for busing?
Busing fees are to
be paid for the entire school year in full through PowerSchool prior to the
student receiving their bus pass.
Can I make monthly payments for bus fees?
Pre-Authorized is available. The first month's
payment is paid when submitting the preauthorized debit form to the Transportation Department. If you are starting pre-authorized debit after the 15th of the month you will be required to pay two month's payment upfront. Payments will be
withdrawn from your account on the first of
every month. You will not be able to ride the bus until the first month's fee AND the filled out preauthorized debit form are received by the Transportation Department
I pay for busing and my child is no longer riding the bus. What are my responsibilities?
If
your child is not riding the bus, please get their bus pass in to the GPPSD
Transportation Department as soon as possible. Parents are
responsible for payment of the bus pass until the bus pass is handed back into the Transportation Department. We
require two weeks' notice when cancelling a pre-authorized debit.
Bus Passes
How does my child get their bus pass?
A bus pass application must be completed to receive a bus pass.
Applications can be filled out through your
Parent Portal and clicking on SchoolEngage. Once the application has been approved, bus passes can be picked up at school offices.
I have submitted the application, how long will it take for my child to receive their bus pass?
The
processing of the bus pass application may take up to 10+ working days except at
the beginning of the school year; if you have applied after the June 30 deadline your pass will be processed in the order it is received, with no
guarantee of processing times. The parent/guardian is responsible for the
transportation of the student until they receive their bus pass from the school. *No temporary passes will be issued, and you will not be able to ride the bus until you receive your bus pass*
My child has a lost or damaged bus pass, can they get a new pass?
If a bus
pass is lost or damaged in any way a replacement bus pass application can be filled out through your
Parent Portal and clicking on SchoolEngage. The link for the Parent Portal can also be found on the Busing page. This form is called "Replacement Bus Pass Application".
Riding The Bus
What if my child missed getting off at their bus stop?
The bus driver cannot bring your child back to the stop. If you contact First Student, you can meet the bus at a stop on the route. You should be at that stop waiting before the bus arrives as the driver is not able to wait. First Student's number is (780) 532-3545.
If the parent/guardian are unable to meet the bus at a pre-determined stop, the bus driver will direct your child to stay on the school bus so they can be taken to the First Student office at 11456 97 Avenue. The parent/guardian needs to pick up their child in a timely manner.
I have a Preschool/Kindergarten student on the bus, what safety measures are taken for my child?
Montessori preschool students and all Kindergarten students are seated at the front of the bus if there is room, and they must be met at the bus stop by a responsible caregiver. The responsible
caregiver must be at the bus stop where the student and bus driver can see them.
If there is no responsible caregiver at the bus stop the student will remain on
the bus and all measures will be made to contact the parents. If the parents are
not reachable by the time the driver is finished his/her route the student will
be taken back to the First Student office (780) 532-3545. In extreme cases the
police and Child Services will be involved.
If you are concerned about support for your child at drop off and pick up at their school, please contact the school directly.
Can my Preschool/Kindergarten student walk home alone? What if I give them permission?
No. Preschool/Kindergarten students need to be met at the bus stop and walk home with a responsible caregiver. The only exception is when a parent/guardian provides written permission to the Transportation Department and First Student telling them they will walk home with an older sibiling.
Can my child bring a friend on the bus, or go home with a friend on a bus?
No. Every student riding the bus must be a registered bus rider; have a bus pass; and be assigned a seat on the bus to ride the bus. Each student must be riding their assigned bus and sitting in their assigned seat.
How is bus seating determined?
All students will be assigned a seat on their respective bus. This is their seat for the school year. Every attempt is made to seat siblings together: this may not always be possible depending on how full the bus is. Students may end up sitting with non-family members and three students per seat.
If my child is not going to be riding the bus, do I need to tell anyone?
You do not need to tell anyone if your child is riding a regular route (the bus will still stop at all
designated stops regardless if your child is on or not).
If your child is
on a Special Needs route or is a 1/2-day Kindergarten/Montessori Preschool student, they are on a special route, and you will need to
contact First Student at (780) 532-3545.
What is the student code of conduct on a bus?
The Grande Prairie Public School Division is committed to ensuring every student succeeds in a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe environment. First Student Canada, offers reliable and secure transportation that upholds these values. For information on student conduct and bus safety, please refer to the Administrative Procedure: AP 350.2 - Student Conduct on School Buses.pdf
Contact
How do I contact my child's bus driver?
GPPSD's transportation services are contracted by First Student Canada. Please call thier main office at: (780) 532-3545.
I have a busing conern, who do I talk to?
If you have any questions or concerns with the busing, please contact the
Grande Prairie Public School Division Transportation Department at (780) 539-7419.
