Transportation

Eligibility
Bus Stops
Safety
Change in Transportation Requests
Alternate Daycare Transportation Requests
Non-Public School Transportation

Transportation Service

The GJSD provides home to school transportation for eligible students according to the GJSD academic calendar. Therefore, when GJSD is closed, transportation will not be provided. This includes non-public schools and out of district placements. GJSD’s school calendar can be viewed here.

Eligibility

Transportation eligibility requirements are as follows:

• Kindergarten – Child must live ½ mile or more from home school.
• Grades 1-8 – Child must live 1 ½ mile or more from the home school.
• Grades 9-12 – Child must live 2 ½ miles or more from the home school.

Bus Stops

Students should be ready at least 5 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival of the bus.

Safety

Safety measures pertaining to transportation include carefully planned student instruction. Please keep in mind that the school bus is an extension of the classroom.

Please review the following at home:

• Be ready to board the bus when it arrives. Students should always pass at least 10 feet in front of the bus when the driver signals them to cross the street. Go immediately to your seat and remain there until the bus comes to a complete stop at your destination.
• Bus aisles should be kept clear of all objects – including legs, arms, and heads.
• Windows are not to be opened unless the driver grants permission.
• Students should keep all parts of the body inside the bus at all times.
• Students are not allowed to eat or drink on the bus.
• Students are asked to speak quietly so that the driver will not be distracted. Refrain from speaking to the bus driver when the bus is in motion, except in the case of an emergency.
• No articles are to be thrown from or on the bus. Throwing anything from the bus is not only a bus violation, but also a violation against the state littering laws.
• No glass (bottles, jars, etc) is allowed on the bus.
• No live animals, including snakes, frogs, bugs, worms, etc, are allowed on the bus. Parents may seek permission to personally bring animals to school by contacting their child’s school principal for approval.
• No skateboards, roller blades, skis, golf clubs, fishing poles, plants, portable radio/tape/CD players, trading cards and the like are allowed on the bus.
• Follow all directions from the bus driver.
• Respect the health, safety and morals of others in language and actions.

Bus transportation is a privilege extended to students provided that conduct is acceptable. If a violation occurs, the driver will take reasonable action to prevent further difficulties. These actions may include a reprimand, a seat reassignment, parent contact and/or a written discipline referral to the student’s principal.

More serious cases may require termination of bus-riding privileges either temporarily or long-term. This decision will apply particularly to situations in which the behavior causes a clear and immediate threat to the safety and welfare of others. Persistent problems will result in the withdrawal of transportation privileges for an increasing length of time. The Superintendent will determine the removal of transportation privileges beyond five consecutive days.

Safety Drills

A minimum of three emergency bus drills will be held during the school year. These drills will include information on the following:

1. Use and operation of the emergency doors and windows;
2. Fire extinguisher and two-way radio;
3. First aid equipment.

Change in Transportation Requests

Any request for a change in transportation due to a change in address may be initiated in the main office. This request will be forwarded to the transportation director and may take a few school days to arrange. Plan accordingly.

Alternate Daycare Transportation Requests for the 2024-2025 School Year

Requests for alternate daycare transportation to one daycare/childcare provider located within the Greater Johnstown School District boundaries are due, please, no later than July 31, 2024 to the attention of the GJSD Transportation Office at the Warren Street Elementary School, 110 Warren Street, Johnstown.

Please note that alternate transportation is for students eligible for transportation from home to the GJSD school they attend. Transportation can only be provided to one daycare/childcare provider located within the Greater Johnstown School District, and consistency of this choice by families is very important for reasons of safety.

The District Request Form for Alternate Daycare Transportation can be found on the forms page of our website.

Non-Public School Transportation

The Greater Johnstown School District does provide transportation to non-public (private and parochial) schools as long as the school is within 15 miles from your residence, you legally reside within the district, and your student(s) are eligible for transportation to your home school based on the criteria above.

Request forms for transportation to non-public schools can be found on the forms page of the District website. Please keep in mind that written requests must be submitted to the transportation department by April 1, prior to the school year requested.

More Information

Transportation Form

Visit the forms page to download the most current transportation form. This form may be dropped off at your child’s home school or faxed to the transportation office.

Closing and Delays

Closings, delays and early dismissals will be listed on the district homepage as well as on the closings and delays page.