Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee for transportation services?
No. D103 does not charge a fee for transportation services.
What company does the district use for transportation?
The drivers and monitors are employees of D103. An outside company is not used.
Who qualifies for transportation?
Every student in D103 is assigned a bus and has a seat on the bus whether the student uses it or not.
Are there cameras on the school buses?
Yes. Every school bus is equipped with a camera system that records video and sound.
Can parents view the school bus camera footage?
No. Because there are other students who will be shown in the video, due to confidentiality, footage is only viewed by district personnel with a need to know.
We have a joint custody situation. Does the district accommodate these situations?
Yes. As long as both guardians reside within the school district boundary, we are happy to make accommodations for pick up and drop off.
My child left something on the bus. What do we do?
Feel free to contact our dispatch office at: (847) 295-8258. Please have your student's bus number and the name of the school they attend when you call. All lost and found items are brought in at the end of the day, placed in specific school bins, then delivered the next day at noon with the interoffice mail.
My child will not need the bus today. Do we need to call?
It is not mandatory, but it is appreciated.
My child hasn't ridden the bus for months but I need them to ride the bus tomorrow. Is this possible?
Yes. However, you will want to contact the transportation department to ensure the pick up/drop off time and location has not changed.
What kind of training do school bus drivers have?
Our drivers have received both classroom and behind the wheel instruction and are also First Aid & CPR Certified. They also receive training in transporting students with special needs and attend annual refresher classes through the Regional Office of Education. Once a month, we hold our Monthly Safety Meeting.
My child uses a day care provider. May my student ride the bus to the facility?
Yes. As long as the day care is within district boundaries, we will transport. You will need to register for this transportation by filling out the Day Care Provider form.
Who should I report my address or telephone number changes to?
The school should be contacted as soon as possible with all address and telephone number changes. The school will put the information into PowerSchool allowing visibility by the Transportation Department.
I got home late in the afternoon and I cannot find my child. What do I do?
Calling the transportation office is a good place to start. We have quick access to your bus driver and we are able to use the two-way radio to check on the bus status. While we're on the radio with the driver, the dispatcher will also call the school to see if the child stayed after school for an activity or to see if someone else picked up your child from school.
Can my child ride another bus or have a friend ride their bus home with them?
Only under extreme last minute emergencies and if there is space availability. We do not accommodate play dates or parties after school.
Are students allowed to eat or drink on the school bus?
The primary responsibility of the school bus driver is to transport children to and from school, between attendance centers or on extracurricular trips safely. To do that, the driver must keep his/her eyes on the road, mindful of the movement of traffic around the school bus. The driver also has responsibility to control the conduct of students on the bus. The close-spaced, high seat backs prevent the driver from seeing all of the activities of the students on the bus, including eating. Depending on the circumstances, the driver may not be able to reach a child in time to prevent the child from choking to death. Coaches or other teachers or chaperones on extracurricular trips are not necessarily certified to administer first aid in an emergency. The driver is ultimately responsible for what happens on the school bus.