Dear Parents/Guardians,
This year, we will be implementing a new Bus Attendance system, UniteGPS, on all of our school buses. The UniteGPS Attendance system will require verification of each student who is on the bus during the particular route or trip.
The system is relatively simple and involves an ID badge scan for student verification. We are developing a process for our lower elementary students to assist in the ease of entry on our school buses. Intermediate grade level students through high school level students will scan their student school ID badge or use a picture of their own UPC code on a cell phone when entering the bus. The school will supply new ID badges for students at the start of the school year.
The system will allow the school district to know which buses students are riding and when, but only when on our buses. The system does not and will not take attendance for any other school-related activities other than when students are riding on one of our school buses. UniteGPS follows the same Federal and state student and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements for students and their families.
The new bus attendance system will be value-added for our school district. We transport over 1,500 students across our 342 square mile school district on more than 22 bus routes and shuttles. As you might imagine, our school district requires a great deal of coordination and safety measures to handle the number of routes and miles driven each day to bring our students safely to and from school.
This new installed bus system will be an important component for safety, communication with parents and staff, as well as helping us monitor our buses during inclement weather conditions.
More information will be available at our Open House sessions (shown below) and one of our new school buses (with seatbelts) will be parked outside each of our elementary buildings for parents to view the new system.
Open House/Beginning of the Year Conferences
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Elementary - grades K-6th - 2:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Beginning of the year Conferences
MS/HS - 7th -12th Conferences - 3:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Specific information from Mr. Tim Lyons, Transportation Director: https://tinyurl.com/3hr7pyek