Bus Routes
Monomoy's bus routes have been established within state regulations for regional school districts, and the bus stops are carefully and thoughtfully created based on several factors, including:
- Safety of the location (visibility, traffic patterns, and roadway conditions)
- Distance from each student’s residence
- Centralized access for multiple students in the area
- Efficiency of routing to ensure reasonable ride times for all students
It is not possible to follow these guidelines and also meet every requested change of bus stop. A great deal of time and care has been taken to create routes and stops that are safe and efficient, and that minimize students' time on the bus. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in following district transportation policy.
We understand that the timing of both bus pickup and drop-off are important to families and our entire team works hard to meet those schedules while keeping students safe on the road. However, please remember that bus times are an approximation, at the mercy of traffic, roadwork, weather, and the speed of student boarding and unloading. It’s wise to expect a window of time for the bus and we respectfully ask that students and parents be at a stop 10 minutes in advance of the pick up and drop off time.
2026-2027 Bus Routes
To locate your student's bus number and stop, log into Aspen, click on Family, select the student, and click on the Bus Info tab (on mobile, click on View Full Site to see this tab). Students are also able to see the information in their Aspen portal by clicking on the Bus Info tab.
Bus Procedures
Bus routes and stops are established in accordance with state regulations governing regional school districts. Bus stops are carefully planned to support accurate student attendance and accountability, prevent overcrowding, and help drivers identify which students are authorized to ride each bus. This process helps ensure student safety and the efficient operation of transportation services.
Each year, routes change based on a number of factors, including:
- Number of students attending each school and geographic location of students’ residences
- Safety of the location (visibility, traffic patterns, and roadway conditions)
- Distance from each student’s residence (students can walk up to +0.7 mile to a stop)
- Centralized access for multiple students in the area
- Efficiency of routing to ensure reasonable ride times for all students
General Procedures
- Busing is provided for in-district students only. Community stops for middle and high school School Choice students are available for use only if there is room on the bus and only after approval from the Transportation Office. Any School Choice family wishing to be added to a community stop must submit a bus request form in late August. Permission will not be granted until week 3 of school, once capacity has been confirmed.
- To maintain safety and efficiency, routes may be designed to avoid roads or locations that are difficult for buses to navigate (such as dead-end roads or cul-de-sacs).
- Bus drivers will pick up and drop off only at scheduled stops and will not pick up students who are not assigned to that particular bus. Drivers cannot permit the legal rider capacity to be exceeded.
- If a second stop is needed due to shared custody, it will only be created by the Transportation Office after submission of a written request from the parent/guardian.
- Students may only ride their assigned bus to and from their registered stop.
Students must:
- Be visible outside waiting, set back from the pick-up spot (not in a doorway or a car parked nearby)
- Upon bus arrival, wait for the bus flashers before approaching and entering the bus
- Stay seated while the bus is moving, keeping the aisles clear
- Follow driver instructions and avoid unsafe or disruptive behavior
- Cross the street in front of the bus only after receiving a signal from the bus driver
- Be responsible for belongings; items left on a bus must be retrieved by the student the next time he/she rides. Do not call the school office with concerns of lost items. Drivers will store items on the bus until retrieved by the student.
Parents/guardians are responsible for:
- Getting students to the stop safely 10 minutes ahead of the time
- Providing the transportation office with any residence changes at least 3 days before such change is to occur to allow for new bus assignment
Drop-Off Procedures by Age
Pre-K through Grade 2
Students in Pre-K through Grade 2 will not be released from the bus unless a parent, guardian, or authorized adult is visibly present at the stop. If no adult is present, the child remains on the bus, transportation dispatch contacts the parent, and the student is returned to school.
Grades 3-4, Middle School, and High School
Students in Grades 3-12 may exit the bus without adult supervision unless otherwise requested by the parent/guardian or school administration.
Additional Procedures
Express Bus stops
Middle school students who regularly use bus service to community stops at the Chatham and Harwich libraries or community centers (e.g., every Tuesday/Thursday) must submit a bus form in August so the Transportation Office can establish a permanent stop.
- Students who only need occasional transportation to these locations must submit a request in PickUp Patrol by 12:00 p.m. on the day of travel. The Transportation Office will determine whether space is available and, if approved, will issue a one-day bus pass.
- Students without an approved bus pass or an established transportation schedule will not be permitted to ride the bus.
Unsafe Conditions
Transportation staff and bus drivers may refuse release if conditions create an immediate safety concern, including severe weather, dangerous persons, or inability to verify supervision requirements.
Custody/Legal Restrictions
Court orders and custody restrictions must be on file with the school and communicated to transportation.
Emergency Same-Day Changes
Same-day transportation changes will only be approved by the building principal for last-minute emergencies.
Faith Rushnak
Transportation Coordinator, Administrative Assistant
Central Office
School:
(617) 848-0568
How to find your bus number and stop
To locate your student's bus number and stop, log into Aspen, click on Family, select the student, and click on the Bus Info tab. Students are also able to see the information in their Aspen portal by clicking on the Bus Info tab (on mobile, click on View Full Site to see this tab).
Transportation for School Choice students
MRSD is not able to provide dedicated bus transportation for School Choice students. In order to help support families, we do offer our School Choice students at MRMS and MRHS the ability to ride a Monomoy bus to a community stop as bus capacity allows that may be easier for families to access. This is only available to middle and high school students in order to ensure the safety of our younger students. The opportunity to sign up for this service will be available the last week in August.
Bus Drivers Wanted!
A great way to make some extra money and stay on your child's school day schedule! Bus drivers needed for large and small bus transportation. All training is provided by the Collaborative. For more information, please speak with Lisa Stobbart at 508-420-6950.
