Denison ISD Transportation Department

Dear Parent or Guardian,

The Denison ISD will be using a new parent app, Stopfinder, for the upcoming school year. Stopfinder is the easy-to-use, all-in-one app that allows you to have the most accurate information about your students’ bus schedule at anytime from anywhere. In addition to displaying your students’ transportation information, Stopfinder includes a private messaging feature that will allow you to communicate directly with the Denison ISD Transportation Department. You can also create GeoAlerts for your student, which will notify you when the bus has arrived or departed from any location on your student’s route, including their assigned bus stop and school. GeoAlert Alert Zones can be created for individual students, allowing you to customize the Alert Zone based on their bus route. Stopfinder also includes the ability to create Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) alerts based on your student’s assigned stop.

The email address that is currently on file with the district will be used for Stopfinder setup. Please contact the campus your student attends to make a change to your primary email address prior to requesting access to Stopfinder.

Stopfinder can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. Stopfinder will require an invite and registration through the transportation department prior to accessing your student’s transportation schedule. Please look for a Stopfinder invitation, which will be sent to your primary email address, within 3 days of the first day of school or up to 3 days after registration once school has started. Please contact the transportation department with questions at transportationdept@denisonisd.net.

DISD Transportation Rules and Policies

School Bus Rules:

• Students must provide, and use, their assigned bus pass to scan on and off the bus.
• Students will always cooperate with the bus driver.
• Students will not write on, disfigure, or damage any part of the bus.
• Students will not throw any items in or out of the bus.
• Students will not possess or use weapons, drugs, tobacco, or fire-producing devices in any form on the bus.
• Students will not scream, yell, or make loud noises on the bus.
• Students will keep all electronic devices silent or use headphones. If any use of an electronic device causes a distraction or disruption on the bus, it must be put up immediately.
• Students will remain in their assigned seats, facing forward, and remain seated while the bus is in motion. Seat belts must be worn by all students, at all times, it is the law! The wearing of seat belts for K-4th grade will be enforced.
• Students will not board or exit the bus at locations other than their assigned bus stop. Additionally, unassigned students are not permitted to ride the bus home with friends or family. School buses are operated to take only eligible and assigned students from home to school and back home again.
• Students are not permitted to have or consume food or drinks on the bus (Except Water, which is allowed if used appropriately).
• Students will conduct themselves on bus in the same manner as in the classroom. Inappropriate language or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.

School Bus Rules Consequences:

Penalties for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th infraction for ALL DISD students. Suspensions are stated in school days, not calendar days.

• 1st - Parents are to be notified by the Campus Principal and the student is placed on probation.
• 2nd - 3-day minimum suspension from riding the bus for all students, depending upon the nature of the violation.
• 3rd - 15-day minimum suspension from riding the bus for all students, depending upon the nature of the violation.
• 4th – Students who receive a 4th infraction while using Denison ISD transportation will be subject to further disciplinary actions at the discretion of the Director of Transportation that may include expulsion from the bus for the remainder of the academic year. 

Flagrant Violations:

• Fighting, gross insubordination, and other acts that might cause safety hazards.
• 1st infraction – 10-day suspension from riding the bus
• 2nd flagrant infraction – Suspension from riding the bus for the remainder of the semester or 20 days (whichever is greater)
• In extreme cases, the driver may notify the Director of Transportation, and the Director of Transportation may take immediate action, including suspension for the remainder of the school year.

NOTE: If bus privileges are suspended, you must arrange your own transportation to and from school. Additional referrals may result in removal from the bus for the remainder of the school year.

Denison ISD Student Bus Pass Policy:

• Students must have a bus pass to board their assigned routes. If a student does not have their bus pass when boarding, the bus driver will manually add the student (this will count as one instance) for that trip and notify them that they must report to their campus front office to request a new pass. Currently, no fees are being collected for replacement bus passes.
• Three (3) documented consecutive instances without their bus pass will result in a notice being sent to the student's primary contact. This will allow the parent/guardian time to address the importance of complying with our bus pass policy.
• Continued issues or flagrant violations that fall outside the above example will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and a notice of these issues will be sent to the parent/guardian. If the student refuses to follow our bus pass system, another notice will be sent to the parent/ guardian alerting them that if the student does not have a bus pass, they will not be allowed to board the bus without one.

General Information

Dress for the Weather Please ensure your students are dressed appropriately for the weather while waiting for the bus.

Student Responsibility Students are responsible for getting off the bus at their assigned stop and should be familiar with the area, paying attention to when their stop is approaching. Students who do not pay attention and miss their stop cause a significant delay for every student on the bus. As bus drivers get to know each student riding, they can and will assist, but it remains the student's responsibility.

Student Release Policy All DISD Regular Ed students (Grades K-12) will be released at their assigned bus stop, regardless of parental presence. (K-2nd grade exception: If the driver suspects a dangerous situation or the child is distressed/unsure of where they are, then we will return the student to their school.)

Parent/Guardian Involvement While not required, we strongly encourage parents of students in K-2nd grade to be present at the bus stop or have a responsible adult meet the bus in the morning and afternoon. This assures the bus driver that your child is in safe hands.

Assigned Seating As students are assigned to a bus route for transportation, each student will be assigned a specific seat that will remain their designated seat for the school year. Each student will be responsible for their assigned seating area on the bus. If an issue arises, the bus driver may reassign a student to an alternative seat.

Bus Stop Times Bus stop times are posted and reflect the expected arrival time during normal weather conditions. However, inclement weather, trains, or traffic congestion may cause delays. Please have students at the bus stop 10 minutes before the posted time to avoid missing the bus.

Bus Transportation Remember, bus transportation is a privilege. Please discuss the rules and regulations with your student. Our top priority is transporting your children safely to and from school without undue distraction.