Important Transportation Notice - August 2022

08/17/2022

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Dear Parent/Guardian:

We would like to welcome First Student as the new transportation provider for Canton Public Schools and St. John School.  First Student joins us with more than a century of experience in providing safe and reliable transportation to students across the U.S. and Canada.  You may have seen their buses around town this summer providing summer session transportation and familiarizing their drivers with the town.  

First Student has done their best to keep the routes similar, if not the same as the existing routes from last year.  There will be a few changes that First Student believes necessary to optimize timing and safety.  For instance, all of our buses will be numbered this year (Ex. C1, C2, C3 etc.).  Some stops may change, but are still within the safety guidelines set forth by Canton Public Schools. 

All buses will be equipped with video and audio surveillance cameras. Video and audio recording will not be monitored, and only reviewed for the purposes of investigating a specific incident. Only Canton Public Schools Administration will have access to review recordings.

First Student and Canton Public Schools are working to implement a Parent App which will provide real time bus location information as well as to provide important notifications. The App is expected to be rolled out to families later this school year.

We would like to remind you of some long standing policies that we often receive questions about.  More information regarding transportation can be found in the District Appendix of your school’s Student Handbook. 

1. Every kindergarten student must be accompanied by a parent or designated guardian at their bus stop in the morning and afternoon.  Any kindergarten student who is not met by an adult will be returned to their school (or the Rodman Administration Building).
2. Buses will not travel on private roads, cul de sacs, dead end roads or dirt roads.  This has been a long standing policy for First Student and Canton Public Schools.
3. A student’s stop may be up to a half mile (0.5 mi) from their home.  This includes kindergarten students.  We do not provide door to door transportation unless it is deemed necessary due to safety. 
4. Students must be at their designated stop 5 minutes prior to their designated stop time.  These times will be listed on the temporary passes issued by email and the routes that will be posted online. 
5. If your stop is listed as your home address, the student MUST BE OUTSIDE, WAITING AND VISIBLE to the driver.  The new drivers will not know to stop for any students they do not see waiting outside.

First Student is doing a great job preparing their drivers for the start of school, however, we are asking you for patience as we begin the school year.  There is a great deal of anxiety surrounding the first days of school.  Some students have difficulty getting on the bus and the traffic can be heavier than usual.  Timing will be off until the drivers and students are familiar with the routes!  Please plan accordingly!  The team at First Student and our transportation coordinator will be ready to help with any questions you may have.

First Student Dispatch
781-961-3824

 

CPS Transportation
781-821-5060 ext 1156
transportation@cantonma.org

Please be patient in waiting for your response.  The first couple of days of school are extremely busy for First Student and Canton Public School Transportation Coordinator.  Any questions or comments that are not an emergency should be emailed to transportation@cantonma.org. 

The bus drivers and staff are looking forward to a safe and successful year!

Respectfully,
Brett McCloud
Enrollment & Transportation Coordinator