First Riders Program - Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region

What is the First Riders Program?

Is your student starting Junior or Senior Kindergarten in September and will be taking the bus to school? The First Riders Program is a free, fun, and interactive initiative designed to help them feel comfortable and confident for the big day!

This program, offered once a year on the first Wednesday in June, specifically caters to new JK/SK students who will be riding the school bus in September.

How to sign up for First Riders

Families of bus-eligible students with an email on file with the school will receive an invitation by email. Please check your inbox and your junk/spam folder for your invitation.

If there is no email is on file for your student on their school record, a letter will be mailed to your home address in the Spring.

This event only happens once a year — don’t miss it! Space is limited! Register early to secure your spot.

What do you do at First Riders?

Learn how to safely board, ride, and get off the bus
Tips for school bus safety, rules, and routines
A short ride on a real school bus
A chance to meet other families and drivers

Event Locations

The First Riders Program is held at multiple schools across the Waterloo Region. Choose the location that works best for you!

Students do not need to be registered at one of the listed schools to attend The First Riders Program. You can attend any location that’s convenient for your family:

Chicopee Hills P.S.
Holy Spirit C.E.S.
John Sweeney C.E.S.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha C.E.S.
St. Gabriel C.E.S.
St. Luke C.E.S.
St. Nicholas C.E.S.

Each session is 30 minutes long. You will see all times and locations when registering!

Can My Student Ride the Bus to School?

Please Note: This Event Is NOT School Bus Registration

Eligible students are automatically assigned transportation based on the home address provided to the school during school registration.

Check your bus eligibility here!

Important Parent Information

Please Note: This Event Is NOT School Bus Registration

The First Riders Program is a one-day only event the first Wednesday in June to help prepare new JK/SK students for riding the school bus. There are no alternate days.
- If you cannot attend, please watch the Buzzy the Bee video that is played at First Riders HERE.

Please make sure the school has your correct email and address on file in order to view your students transportation details online in the Parent Portal. Learn more about this here!

Transportation details for new JK/SK students will be available in your Parent Portal at www.stswr.ca the second last week of August.
- If an email is on file at the school, families will get this information by email from your STSWR transportation planner.
- If no email is on file, a letter will be mailed to the primary home address.

Printables for Schools and Families

Frequently asked questions

I forgot to register! Can I still attend? Will there be another event?

No. For safety reasons, final numbers must be provided to the school and the bus companies in advance. Because of this requirement, we are unable to add any additional participants after the deadline. There are no alternate days.

The First Riders Program happens once a year, and registrations open in April for JK/SK families to give everyone time to register. Registrations close June 1 2026 at 4:00 PM, and we cannot accept registrations after this date and time.

You can watch the Buzzy Bee video that is played at the event here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQbGuPgC3uI&t=7s

My kindergarten student will not be taking the bus in September.

This event is completely optional for all families. If your student will not be taking the bus, please complete the “Decline or Reinstate Transportation” form here: https://www.stswr.ca/ppf/decline-or-reinstate-transportation

This will advise STSWR and your school of your request, and ensure your kindergarten student is not placed on a bus in the afternoon by their teacher in error.

This request stays in place for the remainder of the students time at their school. If you wish to put your student back on a bus later, and as long as they are still eligible, you must complete the same form again to reinstate your students transportation.

I have registered my student for the First Riders Program. Does that mean they are registered for the bus in September?

No. There is no registration for tansportation for school. Students are automatically assigned transportation using the information and address provided by the school, as long as they are eligible. If you need to update your address, please contact your students school directly.

You can check your transportation eligibility any time here: https://bpweb.stswr.ca/TransportationEligibility

Please do not register for the First Riders Program if your student is not eligible for the bus.

I don’t see my students school listed for First Riders. Can they still attend the program?

Yes! Students and families can attend any of the First Riders Program locations that works best for them! Even if your student does not go to that school.

Is this event free?

Yes! This event is free for all JK/SK students starting school in September and taking the bus!

I have a bus student, but they are not entering JK/SK. Can they attend?

No. This event is for students entering JK/SK in September who will be taking the bus.

Is there a wheelchair accessible bus at the event?

Yes! There willl be a wheelchair accessible bus at Chicopee Hills P.S. and Holy Spirit C.E.S.

Can my other students/children also attend?

Please do not register or bring siblings or children who are not starting JK/SK and taking the bus in September. Space is limited, and we want to make sure every JK/SK student who needs this experience gets a spot! One registration covers one (1) JK/SK student and up to two (1-2) adults.

Will a bus pick me and my student up from home and drop off for the First Riders Program?

No. You are responsible for transportation to and from the event location. At the First Riders Program, there will be a short ride on the school bus with you are your student that goes around the block and returns you back to the event.

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