Any individual seeking a change to a student’s pick-up and / or drop-off procedure must contact the Monroe Public Schools Transportation Office. The Transportation Office provides an online form for parents wanting to submit a request. Bus stops need to be consistent; they need to be the same every morning and every afternoon daily.

All Pre-K and Kindergarten students will be dropped-off at their assigned bus stops and must be met by a parent or an authorized adult/caregiver, or they will be returned to their home school. All other students – grades 1 through 12 – do not require an adult present.

However, for grades 1 through 5, if a parent or other authorized adult/caregiver that is usually present when a student is dropped off is not there, that student will be brought back to school. Parents, please talk to your students and have them tell the driver if there is no one there to take them off the bus. If a student is uncomfortable when getting off at his or her bus stop, that student also will be returned to school. It is advisable for parents to inform the school if they want their student to be dropped off at their bus stop without an adult being present. Here are some safety tips for parents to keep in mind.

In the event a change to a pick-up and drop-off schedule is needed during the school year, parents need to complete an online form provided by Monroe Public Schools Transportation Office. You can find the form here.

No changes are made to bus routes during the first four weeks of school unless there is a safety issue.

Riding the bus for the first time can be a very stressful experience for both parents and students, and we are here to help. All-Star Transportation drivers care about the safety of students and are qualified to teach everyone what they need to know to be safe.

During the first few weeks of a school year, a driver will focus on teaching bus rules and behavior. This is for the benefit of all new students and a refresher for older students. Parents are encouraged to review rules and expectations with their students.

Prior to first bus trip:

1. For kindergarten students who will be riding their first bus, there’s an orientation video available.

2. It is required that a parent, guardian or other designated adult accompany the kindergarten student to and from the bus stop. Students will be returned to the school if an authorized adult is not present to receive them on their return home.

3. Be at the bus stop five to 10 minutes before the bus is expected to arrive. Schedules can change and the bus could be early. Please stand at least 10 feet away from the edge of the road.

4. If you have a stop where your child has to cross the road, please allow the bus driver to control the situation. A bus driver will nod his or her head to let students know when it is safe to cross.

5. Please check school calendars. Students returning home on an early dismissal need to have their parent or authorized adult present in order to be dropped off.

6. All changes to bus schedules whether they are permanent or a onetime situation must be submitted through the school. If you need to cancel your child’s pick up, have questions or concerns please feel free to contact All-Star’s Monroe terminal at 203- 261-2691.

7. For more information regarding schedules and for bus inquiries please use the Monroe Public Schools website.

Bus riding expectations:

1. Kindergarten students will sit in the front of the bus.

2. Students are to stay seated, facing forward at all times. No standing, sitting sideways, sitting on knees, or blocking the aisle.

3. Talk in moderate and reasonable tones, use indoor voices. Yelling and screaming is not allowed.

4. No eating or drinking on the bus.

5. Listen and follow instructions from the bus driver.

6. No hanging anything outside the bus.

7. No throwing of anything inside the bus, or outside the bus windows.

8. No yelling out of bus windows.

9. No moving around the bus while it is in motion. Wait until the bus has stopped to get out of your seat.

10. Keep your hands to yourself.

11. Only carry onto the bus what you can hold in your lap. No blocking aisles or windows.

12. No glass, pets, or large objects that encumber a child getting on or off the bus are permitted.

13. Know the school bus danger zones.

The school bus is an extension of the classroom and students are expected to maintain behavior acceptable in a classroom setting. With that in mind, here are some important rules:

1. Students should be at their bus stop 10 minutes prior to their scheduled pickup time.

2. Students should stand back 10 to 15 feet from the road whenever possible. Know the school bus danger zones.

3. Students should wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop and for the driver to nod his/her head before approaching the bus.

4. Children should never run after the bus as it pulls away as the driver may not see them.

5. If students need to cross in front of the bus, they should wait until the bus driver nods his / her head to signal it is safe to cross the street.

6. Students should cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus; if you can’t see the driver then the driver can’t see you.

7. If a student drops something in front of the bus, the student should leave the item where it fell until getting the driver’s attention and permission to retrieve the item.

8. No student should ever run towards / from the rear, alongside of a bus. A driver may not see a student in some danger zone blind spots.

9. Shout out to get the driver’s attention if you need the driver to remain stopped for any reason.

10. Be courteous, no profane language.

11. Do not eat or drink on the bus.

12. Keep the bus clean – put all litter in trash cans available on all buses.

13. Cooperate with the driver.

14. No smoking, including electronic cigarettes / vaping.

15. Do not destroy bus equipment / fixtures.

16. Remain seated until the bus is fully stopped.

17. Keep hands, heads and feet inside the bus.

18. The bus driver has the authority to assign seats.

If you have any questions, please contact All-Star Transportation’s Monroe office at 203-261-2691.