The District shall provide free transportation for any student in the District who resides: (1) at a distance of one and one-half miles or more from his or her assigned school or (2) within one and one-half miles from his or her assigned school where walking to/from school, to/from a pick-up point or to/from a bus stop would constitute a serious hazard due to vehicular traffic, rail crossing, or travel through an area with a course or pattern of criminal gang activity. 

Based on the information available from completed student registrations, bus routes will be determined approximately 5 days prior to the start of the school year.  Parents/guardians will be notified via an email message when bus route information is available to view in Infinite Campus [the student information system]. Students are not permitted to ride a bus other than the bus to which they are assigned.

Please Note: A variety of conditions may impact bus routes. To guarantee safety and ensure on-time arrivals, modifications to routes may need to be made. Late start-of-the-year registrations, road construction, weather and emergency situations are a few examples of conditions the transportation department may need to respond to. Parents/guardians are encouraged to monitor Infinite Campus [the student information system], especially at the start of the year, for the most current information. 

Travel on the bus is an extension of the school day. While students are on the bus, they are under the supervision of the bus driver. In most cases, bus discipline problems can be handled by the bus driver.  In the case of a written disciplinary referral, student bus problems will be investigated and handled by the building principal or designee.

Students are expected to follow all school rules while on the bus. In addition, students and their parents/guardians are expected to follow the list(s) of established responsibilities and expectations found in the student handbook [Chapter 4.15 - Bus Conduct].

Video and audio cameras may be active on buses to record student conduct and may be used for the purposes of investigation into misconduct or accidents on the bus. Students are prohibited from tampering with electronic recording devices. Students who violate this policy shall be disciplined in accordance with the Board’s discipline policy and shall reimburse the District for any necessary repairs or replacement.

For questions regarding school transportation, contact: 

Louis Garcia, Director of Transportation
811 Sunset Drive, Round Lake, IL 60073
P. 224.842.2085
lgarcia@rlas-116.org 

Cross-reference:
Round Lake Area Schools Community Unit District 116 Policy 4:110, Transportation
Round Lake Area Schools Community Unit District 116 Policy 7:220, Bus Conduct

Parents/guardians will be permitted to change student’s pick-up and drop-off address once per semester. The request form is available on the Transportation Department homepage or from the school secretary. Allow 3 days processing time for a bus adjustment. 

In the event that parents require students to be picked up and dropped off at a babysitting service, District 116’s policy is:

• Parents/guardians are required to utilize a daycare service/provider located within the same attendance boundaries in which the student lives.
  
  
• Students will only be eligible for one stop assignment all week both to and from school.
  
  
• Please Note: The before and/or after-school care services that are available for each District 116 school with approved bus stops: 1) Park District, 2) Peppermint Stick, and 3) KinderCare.

A parent/guardian or caretaker must be present at the bus stop when Pre-K and Kindergarten students are dropped off.  Please keep in mind that this does not include sitting in a car or watching from a home.  It is critical that bus drivers are able to have a clear view of all designated individuals responsible for picking up children. If a parent/guardian or caretaker is not present at the time of drop-off, the student will remain on the bus and the Transportation Department will contact the parent/guardian to inform them that their child is returning to the Early Education Center or Pleviak. The parent/guardian will then pick the child up from the designated building at the end of the route [typically between 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm].

Please be aware that a photo ID is required at the time the student is picked up. Repeat offenses may result in the loss of bus privileges.

Early Education Center [EEC] is located at:
882 W Nippersink Rd
Round Lake, IL 60073 

Pleviak is located at:
304 E. Grand Avenue
Lake Villa, IL 60046

Contact the Transportation Department office at 847-270-9019 with any questions.