Transportation

Providing safe, efficient and friendly transport from home to school and back again

Spring Lake Park Schools serves over 1,000 bus stops located within our district boundaries each day. Bus stops and routes are designed with consideration of safety, efficiency, cost and shortest overall ride times. Bus route information is mailed to families at the end of August each year. To make a bus stop change request, contact 763-600-5590 or transportation@district16.org.

Check Bus Status - MyStop App

MyStop is a web-based application available to parents and students that allows them access to live bus GPS information. Using a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer, parents and students can view the current location of buses on routes and the estimated time of arrival at their neighborhood bus stops.
Click here to login to MyStop

What is MyStop?

This simple and informative tool provides the ability to know approximately where a school bus is on its route. MyStop displays the school bus’s approximate location on a map, as well as the estimated time of arrival (ETA) to a specific student’s bus stop. The location of a school bus is automatically updated every few minutes, and the ETA is recalculated to accommodate any delays due to traffic while the bus is en route.

Please note:

MyStop does not work for after-school activity routes since there are no students assigned to them and no set stops
MyStop is functioning for regular education a.m./p.m. bus routes at this time. Roll out for special needs transportation service will occur in the near future as these vehicles come online with GPS reporting. Parents concerned about bus route times may continue to contact the district transportation office or Lorenz Bus directly for up-to-the minute route information.

How do I get the My Stop app for my smart phone or tablet?

Mobile

Search for “Versatrans My Stop” in the Apple App Store for an OS device or in Google Play for an Android device and install. Below is an example of the MyStop screen.

Web Browser

Click here to access MyStop via a web browser and enter your user name and password. Families received emails in mid-September containing user name and password information. User name and passwords can also be found in Parent Portal. Below is an example of the User Name and Password screen.

Once in MyStop, you will see a map depicting a portion of your student's bus route. Your child’s name will display in the box in the top menu bar. The yellow arrow represents the current location and direction of the bus. The orange icon represents your student’s stop. We recommend bookmarking this access page on your browser to allow for quicker future logins.

The box at the bottom of the map provides system messages and lists the current location of your child’s bus as well as the estimated time the bus will arrive at your child’s bus stop.

If you have any questions, you can contact Transportation Services by sending an email to transportation@district16.org. Please be sure to include the name of your student(s) in the email.

Tips and Tricks

Do not login to MyStop too early before your child’s scheduled pick-up or drop-off time. The data provided through MyStop is constantly changing. ETA’s are based on standard GPS route calculations, and not the actual length of time remaining to get to your child’s bus stop. You will access the most accurate data if you check the system within 10 minutes of your child’s scheduled pick-up or drop-off time
Parents and students do not have separate MyStop accounts and will use the same login information to access the system
Rather than typing in the full URL address for MyStop each time you want to access the system, save it as a favorite on your desktop computer or add a quick link to the home screen of your smartphone or tablet to have quick and easy access to the system any time you need it

Troubleshooting MyStop

Problem: Login and Password

Solution: Your login and password can be found in the Parent Portal. You can also contact Student Transportation by sending an email to transportation@district16.org. Please be sure to include your student’s name in the message.

Problem: I see the following message in MyStop: MyStop GPS is unavailable for bus #XYZ Estimated Time of Arrival: 1:11 p.m.

Solution: This message will appear if MyStop is not able to acquire GPS location information for your child’s bus. There may be an issue with GPS system, or the bus has been substituted with another bus that is not equipped with a GPS unit.

If you see this message, the estimated time of arrival is the time based on the scheduled route and time set by District Student Transportation. It will not reflect the actual remaining travel time to your child’s bus stop.

Problem: I see the following message in MyStop: Bus #XYZ is near MAIN ST Estimated Time of Arrival is Unavailable (bus passed stop)

Solution: Your child’s route information may be in the process of being updated. Wait a minute for any updates to be completed. Then, if you still see this message and the current time is after your child’s scheduled pick-up or drop-off time, the bus may have passed your child’s stop.

Please note: Bus drivers are instructed not to run ahead of schedule in the morning. If a driver arrives at a pick-up location ahead of schedule, he/she has been instructed to wait at the stop until the scheduled stop time.

Problem: I see the following message in MyStop: Bus #XYZ is not yet running your scheduled route Estimated Time of Arrival: 3:54 p.m. (per schedule)

Solution: Your child’s bus has not yet started its route or it has completed its route. If you see this message, the estimated time of arrival is the time based on the scheduled route and time set by District Student Transportation. It will not reflect the actual remaining travel time to your child’s bus stop.

Cheryl smiles at a student in the bus rearview mirror

Contact Us

Spring Lake Park Schools Transportation Office
763-600-5590
Email transportation

Lorenz Bus Service
763-201-8888

Voigt's Bus Service
(Special Education Routes)
763-571-1241

Forms

Click on the links below to download transportation forms.

• Daycare/Alternative Address Transportation Registration
• High School Bus Registration (required for high school student's needing transportation to school)
• Out of District Bus Registration
• Emergency Health Information
• Request to Decline Bus Transportation
• Bus Stop Change Request

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I call for busing questions, concerns or changes?

For day-to-day busing changes

If you are changing your student(s) busing needs on a particular occasion, please contact your student(s) school office and let them know of the change. When in doubt, always call the front office of the school and let them know about a busing change. Ex: your student was going to ride of the bus home after school but now is getting picked up instead.

Big Picture busing changes

For general information and bus routing, contact Spring Lake Park Schools transportation services at 763-600-5590. If there is a concern about a driver, late bus or other questions that need immediate attention, contact the bus company directly. Lorenz Bus Service can be reached at 763-201-8888 and special education routes through Voigt’s Bus Service can be reached at 763-571-1241.

What if I need to have my student take a different bus?

Why can I only have one pickup and drop-off location?

Should I call someone if my student doesn’t need to be picked up today?

What should I do if we move or change daycare locations?

How do I find out what bus my child rides?

What should I do if my child misses the bus?

How far will my child have to walk to a bus stop?

How do I register or decline my student?

How are bus stops determined?

View Map and Attendance Boundaries. This will help determine if you live within the SLP boundaries, and if so, what school your child(ren) will attend. Please note, busing is NOT provided outside the Spring Lake Park School District boundaries.

Bus routing is designed with buses traveling main roads through neighborhoods and with students picked up and dropped off at central locations. Bus stops are located at corners or intersections whenever possible and are usually central to where students are coming from. Some house stops are made on very busy roads or mid-way on long streets. Bus stops will generally be closer to students’ houses for younger students. Older students are expected to be able to walk further to their bus stops.

Why are bus stops usually established at corners or intersections?

Safety

Students are generally taught to cross at corners rather than in the middle of the street
Traffic controls, such as stoplights or signs are located at corners. This tends to slow down motorists as they approach intersections. The monitoring public generally expects school buses to be stopping at corners rather than individual houses. Impatient motorists are also less likely to pass buses at corners than along a street. Cars passing school buses create the greatest risk to students who are getting on or off the bus.
In the winter, salting and sanding is usually done at corners, providing safer stopping for buses and cars
Buses use their eight-way light system and stop arm when picking up and dropping off students. Corner stops allow ample time for the driver to activate the yellow warning lights before getting to the stop.
Bus drivers, especially substitutes, can see corner stops much more easily than house numbers so they can keep their focus on their driving. House numbers are located in a variety of places on houses and are often not easily visible from the street, especially in bad weather and before dawn or after dusk.

Efficiency

Ride times for students are shorter if buses are kept on main roads and are not sent down every street. Route changes for new students can be more easily accommodated when stops are at corners. Minimizing stops also reduces costs for fuel as well as wear and tear on the buses.

Other bus stop considerations

Combinations of the following criteria are also considered when establishing bus stops:

Length of walk to the stop
Time of day students are at the stop. Is there rush hour traffic? Volume of traffic on the road. Is the stop on a residential street or a main arterial road?
If the street is busy, are there sidewalks to walk on?
Does the child have to cross a busy street to get to the stop?
What is the age of the student?
Does the route require that the bus to turn around at the stop location?

Criteria that are not considered requirements for adding a stop or making a house stop

It is not possible to provide bus stops that are within sight of all students’ homes or daycares unless house stops are made for all students. Most families that live even one house from the corner cannot see the corner bus stop without coming out of the house. We do encourage parents to be out at bus stops to promote proper pedestrian and bus stop behavior.
A house stop would not necessarily be made only because the bus goes past a student’s house. Many routes travel past students’ houses on the way to or from school. The higher frequency of stops made by the bus increases other drivers’ impatience and can trigger them to drive around the bus, causing a greater safety concern than the distance a student must walk to the bus stop.
Likewise, a house stop would not necessarily be made because there is only one student at a stop. Other students may be assigned to the stop, but run infrequently. Also, stops are made at corners for efficiency and to accommodate other students who may move into a neighborhood.
A bus stop will not be made within a cul-de-sac. A school bus requires 115 feet to safely turn and cul-de-sac usually do not have enough room for safe access; particularly in the winter and when other vehicles are parked in the cul-de-sac. Going into a cul-de-sac forces the bus to backup and this is a dangerous maneuver we want to avoid. • Weather conditions are not part of the criteria for a bus stop change

Other routing considerations

The order of student pickup and drop-offs is designed to be the most efficient and within the shortest possible time. Students who are first on in the morning will not necessarily be the first off in the afternoon if it is a less efficient way to run the route. In general, the farther students live from school, the longer their bus ride will be. The length of the bus ride is determined by both the distance from school and the number of stops made. For example, it takes a considerable amount of time to make thirty stops for 50-60 student. For this reason, transportation services makes every attempt to minimize the number of bus stops and to keep them at corners.

Transportation Policies and Procedures

It is very important that students and their parents/guardians read and understand the following bus transportation information.
Click here to read the school board policies

Annual Process

Assigned Bus and Bus Stop

Students are assigned to specific buses and stops by the district. Parents or guardians will receive a postcard in late August that contains transportation information with bus number, bus stop location and times. Students are only allowed one pickup address and one drop-off address. These address locations may be different, but must be consistent every day of the week. Students may only ride buses other than their assigned bus or be dropped off at a stop other than the one to which they were assigned after approval of the district.

Assigned Bus Only

Students are assigned to buses and bus stops. No change in either bus or stop is permitted without transportation services authorization. Temporary changes may be made by school administrators for authorized emergencies only. Failure to ride the assigned bus from the assigned bus stop may jeopardize the safety of students and may result in disciplinary action.

Bus Routes and Stops

The district’s goal is to establish bus routes so that no student rides for more than one hour. We cannot guarantee this will always hold true for everyone on every route. Bus routes are created during the months of July and August. Requested changes to routes will not be accepted between August 15- September 15 of each year. This will allow time for routes to be finalized, bus drivers to review and practice, and for the district to notify parents or guardians of the student’s assigned bus and bus stop. Bus stops are established at the direction of Spring Lake Park Schools. Bus drivers do not have the authority to change or add a bus stop.

Bus Stop Changes

Bus stops are reviewed annually and changed as necessary to meet the needs of the majority of students assigned there. Location preference is generally given to kindergarten or first grade students. Preference is not given to daycare providers. It is the daycare provider’s responsibility to get students to and from the bus stop. The district will process all approved changes within five business days, except during the blackout dates of August 15-September 15. The parent will need to transport until changes are confirmed.

Bus Discipline Policy

Students who have the opportunity to ride district school buses may do so as long as they display behavior that is reasonable and safe. Choosing to engage in unacceptable behavior will result in loss of bus service. The bus driver is responsible for the safety and discipline of students on the bus. The building principal is available to give assistance to the driver and will determine the consequences of misbehavior and the reinstatement of bus service for the offending student(s) should a suspension become necessary. A suspension applies to all buses unless otherwise designated by school officials.

The responsibility for student supervision by the district shall begin when the student boards the bus in the morning and is retained until the child leaves the bus at the end of the day; or until released to the parent/guardian in a manner consistent with guidelines on release of students.

Vandalism/Bus Damage

Students damaging school buses will be responsible for those damages. Failure to pay such damages, or make arrangements to pay, within two weeks may result in the loss of privileges until damages are paid.

Criminal Conduct

In cases involving criminal conduct (for example, assault, weapons, possession or vandalism) the Superintendent, local law enforcement officials and the Department of Public Safety will be informed.

Other Discipline

Based on the severity of a student’s conduct, more serious consequences may be imposed at any time depending on the nature of the offense. Consequences such as suspension or expulsion from school may also result from school bus misconduct.

Discipline Process

Student conduct reports are used by bus drivers to inform school staff and parents/guardians of disciplinary incidents involving their children on the school bus. Conduct reports are written only after the driver attempts to eliminate the problems him or herself. If the driver feels the student’s conduct was severe, a report is written immediately.

These reports are collected by the school offices and dealt with in a timely fashion. The schools will often mail the report home so families are aware of any ongoing misconduct. Consequences for school bus misconduct will be in the sole discretion of the administration of the child’s school. Riding privileges can be suspended or revoked due to excessive or repeated violations of ridership rules. Parents or guardians will be immediately notified of any suspension of bus privileges.

The school buses are extensions of the school day. School bus consequences may be superseded by Spring Lake Park Schools policy. The bus driver has the authority to assign seats at any time. The sexual/racial/religious harassment policy, the weapons policy and the bullying policy of Spring Lake Park Schools will be strictly enforced on the school bus. Video cameras may be used on school buses at any time.

Items Allowed on the Bus

Under the Laws and Rules for the Operation of School Buses in the State of Minnesota, it is stated: “… no materials including: guns, loaded or unloaded; gasoline cans, empty or full; animals or any other object of dangerous or objectionable nature are transported in the school bus when children are being transported.” Cell phone use on the bus is prohibited. Damage to personal items is not covered under the bus contractor’s/district’s insurance coverage.

If an item can be safely carried in a bag and on a student’s lap, without interfering with the space of another passenger, it will be accepted.

Certain items listed here will never be accepted. Any items not on this list that are of dangerous or objectionable nature will not be permitted and will be determined by the Transportation Department or Bus Company at any time.

Musical Instruments:
- Drums
- French horn
- Guitars
- Tuba
School Projects:
- Large fundraisers
- Live or Dead Animals (mice, rats, snakes, cats, dogs, insects, fish, etc.)
- Shop Projects (tables, gun racks, shelves, etc.)
- Small Engines
Sporting Equipment:
- Balls-any type (unless in a bag)
- Bat not in a bat bag
- Fishing Poles
- Golf Clubs
- Skateboards
- Skates not in a bag
- Skis/Ski Poles
- Sleds
- Snowboards
- Tennis Rackets (unless in a bag)
- Lacrosse Sticks
- Hockey Sticks & Equipment
- Rakes & Shovels
Weapons
- Archery Equipment
- Guns (loaded or unloaded)
- Toy Guns
- Knives
- Metal Knuckles
- Nunchucks
- Tear Gas
- Throwing Stars
Drugs and Alcohol
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes
- Drugs
Flammable Objects
- Aerosols
- Ammunition
- Explosives
- Fireworks
- Gas Cans
- Gasoline/Diesel
- Lighter Fluid
- Lighters
- Matches
- Spray Paint
Other
- Glass breakable objects
- Laser Pens
- Luggage
- Balloons

Consequences and Offense Examples

Consequences

The following is a list of consequences generally used, but the school’s administration may jump steps when appropriate.

1st Offense: warning with a copy of the report sent home to the parent or guardian
2nd Offense: student will be placed on probation and the parent/guardian will be notified that further infractions will result in loss of ridership privileges
3rd Offense: student will be suspended from the bus for three days
4th Offense: student will be suspended from the bus for five days
5th Offense: student will be suspended from the bus for 10 days
6th Offense: meeting with parent/guardian. Possible loss of bus ridership privileges for the remainder of the school year.

Examples of Offenses

The following list includes examples of school bus offenses.

Spitting
Excessive noise
Horseplay, mischief or distracting behavior
Eating, drinking or littering on bus
Leaving seat or standing without driver permission
Use of liquid containers in any form
Profanity, verbal abuse, harassment, obscene gestures or possession of unacceptable material
False identification or refusal to identify oneself
Riding unassigned bus or using unassigned bus stop
Opening window past safety line
Riding or attempting to ride any bus during a bus suspension
Disobedient to the driver, para-educator or bus patrol
Cell phone use, including photos and videos
Hanging out of windows
Throwing or shooting of any kind
Bullying and/or physical aggression against any person
Profanity or threats directed towards bus driver or para-educator
Possession or use of tobacco or any controlled substance
Vandalism to bus
Holding onto or attempting to hold onto any portion of the exterior of the bus or any “Danger Zone” infringement
Lighting of matches, lighters or any flammable object or substance
Unauthorized entering or leaving bus through emergency door or tampering with bus equipment
Possession or threat of weapons, explosives or flammables
Possession or use of laser pens or pointers
Other offenses as reported by the driver or principal

School Bus Rules and Safety

The following information conforms to the laws and regulations of the State of Minnesota. We hope this information will help all Spring Lake Park Schools community members to be part of the “School Bus Safety Team” and create the safest school transportation system possible.

School Bus Safety Rules

Stay out of the “Danger Zone” around the bus
Follow the driver’s instructions
Be on time for the bus – five minutes early
Always sit down and face forward
Be courteous. No pushing, tripping, swearing or yelling.
No eating or drinking
Keep your bus clean. Do not damage the bus.
Keep your head and arms inside the bus window
Never throw objects inside or out of the bus
No animals on the bus

It is a privilege, not a right to ride the school bus.

Top Ten Safety Tips

Always stay out of the danger zone around the school bus. The danger zone is in the front of the bus, behind the bus and on both sides of the bus. The danger zone is 10 feet all the way around the bus.
Before crossing the street, wait for the bus driver to give you the signal. If you have to cross the street to get on or off the school bus, cross in front of the bus. Make sure you see the driver and that they see you. Never cross in front of the school bus until the driver gives you the signal, and always look both ways to see if cars are coming before you cross.
Use the buddy system when crossing the street. It’s usually safer to cross the street in a group than it is to cross the street alone.
Whenever possible, stay out of the last three seats of the school bus. Remember, the driver can usually adjust to what’s going on in front of him, and on the side of the school bus, but has no idea what the driver is doing behind him.
Younger students should always sit toward the front of the school bus. This helps the school bus driver to keep track of them so that they get off at their proper destination.
If you drop something when getting on or off the school bus, leave it. Tell the bus driver, your teacher or your parents about whatever you dropped. Remember we can replace everything, but we can’t replace you.
Never approach a moving school bus. Stand 10 feet back, away from the curb. No pushing or shoving and always wait for the school bus to make a complete stop before trying to get on the school bus.
Never stand up on a moving bus. Drivers sometimes have to makes sudden stops and passengers fall and get hurt. Staying seated prevents injuries.
Tell someone if there’s trouble. If something happens to you on the school bus, tell your bus driver, teacher, principal or parent about it. Everyone should have a safe and comfortable ride on the school bus. A safe ride is a happy ride.
Never talk to strangers. If someone approaches you that you don’t know and tries to talk to you, go away from them and tell an adult you can trust. If this happens while you are waiting for your bus, let your bus driver know when he or she arrives. Never tell a stranger your name, take anything from a stranger or get into a stranger’s vehicle.

Student Safety Training

During the first few weeks of school students will receive school bus safety training. A student shall be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the following competencies and concepts:

Transportation by school bus is a privilege, not a right
District policies for student conduct and school bus safety
Appropriate conduct while on a bus
The danger zones surrounding a school bus
Procedures for safely boarding and leaving the school bus
Procedures for safe street crossing, school bus evacuation and other emergency procedures

Parent Responsibilities

As a vital member of the “School Bus Safety Team,” parents and guardians can help provide a safe and pleasant bus experiences by reviewing safety training with their children on a regular basis.

What do you need to do as a parent of a student who uses transportation?

Provide the school office and transportation office with accurate student information, including the student’s name, home address, home telephone number, and emergency contact information for the parent/guardian, and daycare information.
Arrange for your students to be at their bus stop five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time. Students should never arrive at the bus stop more than 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time.
Be aware that the bus will pick-up and drop-off students at the same stop everyday school is in session
Help your child learn their school name and bus numbers. Students in grades K-2 should have a “bus pass” fastened to their backpack
Review the bus safety rules with your children
Accompany younger children to the bus stop and meet the bus at the end of the day for the first days of school, or arrange for an older child or childcare provider to be at the bus stop for the first days of school
Understand that the bus pick-up and drop-off times are based on existing weather and road conditions. Traffic congestion, road construction, inclement weather and population changes may cause minor adjustments in pickup times. Parents will be notified of any major changes in bus schedules that will affect their child.
Remain alert to impending weather and have your child properly clothed for the current weather conditions. Also, consider in advance how long your child will be waiting at their bus stop during conditions that may include extreme cold and wind chills.
Provide your child with a backpack or book bag for books, loose papers, pencils, etc.

Passenger Rules and Information

When Going to the Bus Stop

Use sidewalks where provided
If there are no sidewalks, walk single file on the left side of the street or roadway facing traffic
Cross streets at corners
Use a direct route. Avoid using alleys or crossing through private property to get to the bus stop.
Arrive at your bus stop five minutes before your scheduled pickup time. The school bus driver will not wait for late students.
Be aware of suspicious individuals on foot or in motor vehicles. Report such persons to your bus driver or school principal.
Even if you miss the bus, do not accept rides from strangers

Rules at the Bus Stop

Stay away from the street, road or highway when waiting for the bus. Lineup at least three feet away from the street in an orderly fashion and wait until the bus stops before boarding.
Respect the property of others while waiting at your bus stop. Do no pick flowers or shrubs, throw stones, snowballs, litter, etc.
Keep your arms, legs and belongings to yourself
Do not use offensive or foul language
Avoid standing in and blocking sidewalks and driveways
No pushing, fighting, harassment, intimidation or horseplay
Do not run to the curb when the bus comes. Stay back until the bus is actually stopped. A push at the middle or end of the line can send the front person into the bus or under its wheels.
Older students should be helpful to younger ones
No use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs

Boarding the Bus

Wait until the bus has stopped and the door is open before walking toward the bus
If you must cross the street, always cross in front of the bus where the driver can see you. Wait for the driver to signal to you before crossing the street.
Board the bus single file. Do not push or shove.
Use the hand rail to keep from slipping, falling or tripping
Say “hello” to your bus driver
Move immediately to a seat without crowding, shoving, disturbing or stopping to talk to others. Make room for others needing a seat.
Put large items such as book bags in your seat area or under the seat, but never in the aisle

Drivers may assign seats in the front of the bus to students who have special needs or whom have not followed the bus rules. At their discretion, drivers may assign seats throughout the entire bus to avoid misconduct. We strive to ensure the safety of our passengers and ask that when the bus is not at full capacity, that we not use the three rear rows of the seats in the buses.

Riding on the bus

Cooperate with the driver
Do not push or shove for any reason
Absolutely no smoking, lighting of matches or lighters on the bus
Keep arms and legs out of the aisle to prevent tripping others while they board or exit
Open windows half way only if the driver permits you to do so. Keep hands, arms and heads inside the bus.
Do not stand or move around while the bus is moving. You are only safe if you are seated.
Absolutely no tampering with the bus radio, controls or equipment
Keep conversation tones to a normal level. Too much noise by yelling, screaming, etc. can interfere with the bus driver’s duties and create a safety hazard.
Do not distract the driver. A bus driver needs to keep his/her attention on driving.
Be especially quiet at railroad crossings or other busy intersections
Save snacks and eating for other places
Encourage your friends to cooperate with the drive by using good conduct on the bus
Keep feet off seats or the back of seats
Avoid any kind of behavior that could cause damage to the bus