If you are uncomfortable with the current and necessary school bus seating capacities, the Ministry of Education recommends active travel (cycling, scootering, walking) as a safe and healthy option that will reduce demand on busing transportation. We know active transportation boosts immunity, provides fresh air, builds lung capacity and physical health, contributes to mental health, and increases focus in the classroom. Contact us for help with route mapping and other resources.

If you feel you must drive, please consider the dangers of traffic congestion at the school site, and plan to park a short distance away to ensure the space is safer for all our students. Check our website’s walk zone for walking supports and our “Drive to 5” maps that show safe and legal parking options that avoid chaotic school drop offs and allow a short walk into school. If there is no map for your school, ask us for one!

• If your child is assigned to the bus this school year, do not use the form; they will be automatically assigned for September 2021.
• If your child opted out of transportation this school year, but now requires transportation for September 2021, please use the “Do Not Ride” form to have their busing reinstated.

For younger students, it is especially important to keep us informed of changes immediately to ensure your child is not assigned to a bus in error and inadvertently put on a bus at the end of the day if you are expecting them to walk or be picked up.

• Your child will be automatically assigned for September 2021.
• If your child requires partial or no busing, please fill out the “Do Not Ride” form.

For younger students, it is especially important to keep us informed of changes immediately to ensure your child is not assigned to a bus in error and inadvertently put on a bus at the end of the day if you are expecting them to walk or be picked up.

If your child qualifies for busing you can opt-in again at any time using the same “Do Not Ride” form.

Changes to transportation and seating plans will be very limited from mid-August to mid-September. Blackout periods will assist STSWR, schools, and bus operators in preparing for the first day of school.

STSWR will make every effort to add/remove your child to/from the bus list as soon as possible.

All address changes must be completed at your child’s school before STSWR can add students to the bus to be picked up at that address. Call your school’s office to do so.

• regular seating
• up to 3 students per bench from JK – grade 6
• 2 students per bench for grades 7 & 8
• maximum 70 students per bus

• regular seating
• maximum 20 students per bus

• no students in front seat
• maximum 3 students per route

• no students in front seat
• maximum 5 students per van

• 2 students per bench
• maximum 3 or 4 wheelchairs per bus

• regular seating
• 2 students per bench
• maximum 48 students per bus

• 2 students per bench
• maximum 24 students per bus

• no students in front seat
• maximum 2 student per taxi except for siblings

• no students in front seat
• maximum 5 students per vehicle

• 2 students per bench (wheelchair = 1 bench)
• maximum 10 students per bus

Seating plans and cohorting are no longer mandatory, however the driver may choose to continue with the seating plan to encourage safe riding behaviour.

If your child is unsure, have them ask the bus driver.

Masks are no longer mandatory for any students on yellow bus, wheelchair bus or vans. We encourage students to wear masks.

While school boards may be distributing masks, you may also wish to source your own collection of masks that comfortably fit your child’s face. We encourage all parents to teach their children how to safely use a face mask to ensure they are effective. Should your child forget their mask, their bus driver will provide them with a standard-size disposable mask before boarding the bus; however, masks will not be supplied to students on a daily basis.

All requirements and actions apply to both morning and afternoon routes.

Bus drivers may wear a mask while transporting students, it is not mandatory. Each driver will also be given the option of wearing a face shield when students are boarding or exiting the bus as an extra precaution, but this is not required. Face shields may be kept on hand for use where drivers must assist students directly in case of an emergency.

Drivers will be provided with and have access to hand sanitizer at all times.

High touch areas (handrail and the top of seats) will be wiped down after every run with cleaning and disinfectant wipes. Once a day, buses will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Buses will be cleaned with disinfectant approved by Health Canada with a proper DIN number.

High touch areas (seat belts, door handles (inside and out), door panel, backs of front seats, etc.) will be wiped down with disinfectant wipes.

All drivers will wear a mask.

Under guidelines from the Ministry of Education and recommendations from SickKids, STSWR bus operators will continue to keep windows open on buses for ventilation purposes throughout all seasons of the school year, including in cold weather.

Ventilated environments (fresh air spaces) are associated with lower risk of transmission of COVID compared with poorly ventilated environments. Therefore, windows will be opened on buses, where possible, to increase ventilation. At least half of the windows on a school bus should be slightly open during most weather to help dilute the air exhaled by the occupants and allow for quicker air exchange throughout the bus. As the outside temperature drops, the inside temperature will be monitored and some windows may be closed. We expect to have at least two slightly open windows at all times for ventilation, except in heavy rain.

Students riding the bus will need to prepare for a colder indoor bus environment through cold weather months. Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for a bus ride with some windows down.

Parents are required to complete mandatory school screening protocols in place and ensure masks are on before approaching the bus stop. Any child showing symptoms at school will be isolated and not permitted to be transported home on a bus.

Children are asked to wash their hands before they leave home. Hand sanitizer will be made available to all students.

It is important that students arrive at their designated stop at least 5 minutes before the posted stop time.

No more than one student should be on the stairs at a time. Students should get to their seat and sit down with their bag on their lap as quickly as possible.