Transportation
The Transportation Department is responsible for transporting approximately 4,500 students over 3000 accident free miles per day. All of our drivers must pass a criminal background check, possess a commercial driver's license (CDL), and submit to random drug testing throughout the year.
All of our drivers go through extensive training which includes:
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30 hours of driving training
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10 hours of bus inspection training
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3 hours of state testing
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21 hours of classroom training on the following topics: beginning bus driving, student management, first aid, safety equipment, and other important bus driver information
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16 hours of additional class time throughout the year
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6 hours of mandatory training by the state every two years that includes a test
We want every student to feel safe, secure, and comfortable throughout their transportation journey. Our drivers are trained professionals who prioritize the well-being of our students. We aim to create a positive atmosphere where students can enjoy their bus ride and arrive and arrive safely to their destination.
REGISTER FOR TRANSPORTATION
If your student requires bus transportation and you live outside the walk zone, please register in your parent portal. You will find this in the registration are under "Forms" "Transportation. If you have a problem logging into your parent portal, please email parentportal@novik12.org
There will be a communication when bus information is available in your parent portal.
Stopfinder app
Stopfinder is an all-in-one, easy-to-use app for viewing and sharing your student’s transportation schedule.
What the app can do:
- View your student’s daily transportation assignments – including transfer trips and stops
- Securely share your student’s schedule with caregivers
- Receive notifications and updates related to transportation
- Send real-time vehicle location notifications based on GeoAlert regions you create for your student
Install the App
The Stopfinder app is available for download in the App Store as well as Google Play
Access to student schedules is granted only to the student’s designated contacts by the Transportation Department. The Stopfinder contacts, at their own discretion, may share their student’s schedule with caregivers (sub-subscribers.)
An invitation to activate your Stopfinder account will be sent via email.
Please Contact Transportation@novik12.org
- If you haven’t received an email invitation to register for Stopfinder
- If you have any questions regarding your student’s schedule
For more information about Stopfinder, visit mytransfinder.com
WORKING TOGETHER FOR SCHOOL BUS SAFETY
Please remember these important safety procedures
- Please have your child at the stop five minutes before the scheduled stop time. Students should be at the stop when the bus arrives - not running from cars or homes.
- If your child misses the bus, please do not drive them to another stop. The driver is not expecting them and we don't want students running to the bus where they may be injured. Please drive your child to school if they miss the bus.
- If you drive your student to the bus stop, please park far enough away from the actual stop so the bus can safely get to the stop location.
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We ask that you do not park in neighbor's driveways or have students running on their lawns.
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If you drive your child to school, please drop them in the parent drop area and not the bus loop. We don't want students walking between buses and possibly getting injured.
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If your student is bringing a ball to school, it must fit in their backpack.
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We do not permit bats, golf clubs, lacrosse sticks, rackets, skateboards, sleds, etc. on the bus. Please remember anything your student brings on the bus must fit on your child's lap.
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If your child crosses at the bus stop, please wait and let the driver cross them. We want to teach our students to always look at the driver and wait for their signal. This is a skill that will keep them safe throughout their school career. Students should NEVER cross behind the bus.
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If you need to speak to the driver regarding your student, please let them know and they can call you when they get back to the office. We ask that no one other than students try to board the bus. We want to keep your children safe, and the drivers have been trained to close the doors if someone tries to board.
SAFETY GUIDELINES WHILE RIDING THE BUS
When waiting for the bus
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Stay a safe distance from the roadway
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Wait in a straight line
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Walk to the bus when the door is opened
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Use the handrail when boarding
Crossing in front of the bus
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Before crossing, walk 15 feet in front of the bus
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Look at the driver for a signal to cross
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Look left and right
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Keep watching for traffic as you walk
Please be sure to listen to the driver at all times.
All buses have assigned seats.
We ask that you sit in your assigned seat and remain seated.
There is no smoking, vaping, eating, drinking or gum chewing.
Please keep hands and heads inside the bus at all times.
Nothing should be thrown in the bus or out the windows.
The aisles and emergency exits must remain clean at all times.
Please remember there is no talking at railroad tracks.
Use quiet voices and follow classroom conduct while on the bus.
There is to be no photos or videos taken on the bus.
We ask that electronics be kept in your backpack while on the bus.
RIDING ASSIGNED BUS
Students must ride their assigned bus and get on and off at their assigned stop.
We do not issue bus passes for your child to ride home with another student.
BUS STOPS AND LOCATIONS
For High School, Middle School, and Novi Meadows students, there will be main road only stops in the afternoon.
If the bus needs to pull in to a subdivision to turn around, there will be one stop.
Students may be expected to walk up to one mile for a bus stop.
Please remember it is the parents responsibility to supervise their child at a bus stop.
Change of Pick up or Drop off
Use Change of Pick up or Drop Off form if you need to change buses for care purposes.
Please remember: students assigned to a bus have first priority.
Request for Relocation of Bus Stop
It is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to see that a child gets safely to and from the bus stop. The school district provides transportation as a non-mandated service and establishes placement of the bus stops in accordance with the requirements of the law. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on Michigan.gov for more information. Use Request for Relocation of Bus Stop form if you would like to request a change for a bus stop location.
Joint Custody Transportation
Use Joint Custody Transportation form to utilize transportation from two locations when parents have joint custody.
