Distance for Transportation Service
Transportation will be provided to Students enrolled in the Wethersfield Public Schools who live greater than the distance stated below:
ALL KINDERGARTEN NO DISTANCE REQUIREMENT
Elementary School (Grades 1-6) Greater than 1.0 mile
Silas Deane Middle School Greater than 1.5 miles
Wethersfield High School Greater than 2.0 miles
Please refer to our Street Directory to check for transportation eligibility at all levels. There may be instances where some students living within the defined “walk zone” will be eligible for transportation due to known hazardous conditions on walking paths, bridges, waterways and over/underpasses.
Bus Routes & Stop Assignments
Wethersfield Public Schools Bus Routes utilize cluster/group stops to serve multiple students effectively in a timely and safe manner. While most bus stops remain unchanged over the years it is necessary to move and add new stops based on enrollment. Routes will be posted on our Transportation page for the upcoming school year as soon as available and notifications will be sent in Parent Square. Each route will contain the Trip #, Stop Location and pick up time. Please be aware that routes and pick up times can change over the first few weeks of school to meet the needs of incoming registrations and additional route changes. Once the routes have been completed, updated routes will be posted on our Transportation page and each school's site as well. Please note: Special Education, Outplacement and Technical routes are not posted for privacy reasons, please contact the office or use the Bus Inquiry for your pick up time and location.
Transportation Guidelines
Students should arrive at their bus stop Ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time and be prepared to wait ten minutes after the scheduled pick-up time. Please keep in mind that student pick up times are estimates. This window of time prior to and after allows for traffic, road conditions, weather and any unexpected delays at other stops or schools.
Students must be outside waiting for their bus or van at their assigned stop—this means no waiting in garages, at the window, on porches, inside your home/car, etc.
The Driver will continue on if the student/students are not present at their assigned stop.
The driver cannot leave the driver’s seat.
Buses can not wait at bus stops for parents so that a student can be released.
A Parent, Guardian or Authorized adult MUST BE PRESENT at the bus stop location to meet their student/student’s who are in Kindergarten or Special Services. If an authorized person/parent is not at the bus stop your child will be brought back to school. This also applies for any student who does not feel comfortable getting off alone.
Wethersfield Public Schools Bus Routes utilize cluster/group stops to serve multiple students effectively in a timely and safe manner. While most bus stops remain unchanged over the years it is necessary to move and add new stops based on enrollment. If you have a complaint or concern regarding safety, road hazards, location of an existing bus stop or walking distance please use the Bus Stop Change/Inquiry to contact our office. When a Request is received all factors are considered before a determination is made. This includes:
Number of Stops on the route
Distance between each stop on the route
Bus stop location
Number of students at each stop and their ages.
The overall time and distance of the route
Walking distance to the bus stop.
A determination will be made in conjunction with the Transportation Provider and our Office and will be communicated in writing. The Town Engineer’s office will make all final determinations on Walking Distance Appeals that can not be resolved in this office (determined by linear ft). Please note: A request alone is not a guarantee that your stop or route will change. Bus stops are not added or changed based on weather/temperature/season and will not be considered.
Transportation Privileges
Wethersfield Public Schools expects model student behavior while utilizing transportation to and from school, as transportation is a privilege. Rules and regulations set forth by the Board of Education and Transportation Company are for driver, student, staff and parent safety. If a student misbehaves on a school transportation vehicle, a Bus Conduct Report will be completed by the driver and sent to the relevant school administrator and transportation office for review and potential discipline. Parents and students should be aware that inappropriate behavior may result in suspension of transportation privileges.