Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to the J.O. Combs Unified School District Transportation Department! It is our commitment to provide safe and efficient transportation for all of our bus riders. The transportation department is proud to support the district's transportation needs for all daily routes to and from school as well as for educational field trips and athletic contests.
Our fleet consists of 46 buses, 3 activity busses, 9 fleet vehicles, and 8 utility maintenance vehicles. This fleet is serviced and maintained in our district by our team of two mechanics who take great pride in their flawless DPS record keeping all of our vehicles up to the highest standard of excellence.
The safety of our riders is our top priority. Our training program requirements surpass the Arizona minimum standards to include quarterly and monthly student transportation training, and annual refresher instruction from the Department of Public Safety and Motor Vehicle Division. All of our drivers hold an Arizona Commercial Driver License and State Bus Driver Certificate; they must pass the Physical Performance Test annually, and must undergo random and annual drug testing.
Our fleet carries about 1,900 bus riders about 2,200 miles each day, and we are proud to report an impeccable safety record. This is a true testament of the dedication and commitment the Combs transportation team has to the safe transport of our students.
We continue to grow in student transportation participation and are always evaluating practices to ensure we are utilizing the safest, most efficient tools to transport our students.
Thank you for allowing us the privilege of transporting your children every day. Please utilize the bus stop locator link for bus stop information and times. You will also find answers to frequently asked transportation questions to the left as well.
You are also welcome to contact our office at (480) 987-5300 (phone number) with any questions, and we will be happy to serve you.
Sincerely,
Erica Delgado
Transportation Supervisor
Here Comes the Bus
Here Comes the Bus is a mobile app that provides real-time tracking of your child's school bus. It helps you know exactly when the bus will arrive at your stop, eliminating the guesswork and ensuring your child gets to the bus stop on time.
Key Features:
- Real-time bus tracking: See the exact location of your child's bus on a map.
- Arrival notifications: Receive alerts when the bus is approaching your stop.
- Multiple child support: Track multiple children's buses within one account.
- Route information: View bus routes and stop locations.
Download the Here Comes the Bus
To download the Here Comes the Bus app, click on the image of your phone’s OS:
Sign Up Instructions
- Download the Here Comes the Bus app, or visit herecomesthebus.com (website)
- Click the "Sign Up" button
- Enter district code 29761 and click "Next" followed by "Confirm"
- Complete the "User Profile" box
- Under "My Students," click "Add." Enter your child's last name and Student ID Number. If you are unsure of your student's ID Number you can find it in ParentVUE > (webpage)
- Once you confirm your information, you're ready to begin
- Please ensure you child has their Student ID with them and ready to swipe
Transportation Guidelines
- School Bus Regulations
- Reglamentos de Autobuses
- Transportation of Special Education Students
- Transportation Discipline
School Bus Regulations
School Bus Regulations (PDF)
J.O. Combs Unified School District #44
Refer to Policy JICC, JICC-R, JICC-EA, JICC-EB or contact your school for more information.
The District provides bus transportation for all students who live one mile or more from school. For High School and Middle School it is one and one half miles. For safety reasons, the District encourages parents to supervise their children at the bus stop.
Transportation provided by the District is a privilege. Inappropriate conduct at bus stops, on district vehicles, or in the process of boarding or exiting from a vehicle may result in student disciplinary action including, but not limited to loss of transportation privileges.
Behavior on the School Bus and at the School Bus Stop
For the purpose of providing safe transportation for all students the following guidelines must be Observed:
- Students are to obey the bus driver at all times.
- Students should stand off the roadway while waiting for the school bus.
- Students are required to be at their scheduled bus stop at least ten minutes prior to their scheduled stop time.
- Students must cross the roadway ten feet in front of the school bus.
- Students may only ride on their assigned route unless a parent/guardian has written a note and it has been stamped, dated, and initialed by the school’s office. Most buses can not accommodate additional riders.
- Students must board and depart only at their designated bus stop.
- Act respectful and appropriate while waiting for the school bus.
- Give your proper name when requested by the bus driver or monitor.
- Remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion.
- Remain silent at railroad crossings.
- No food or drink except water bottles on the bus.
- Students shall not carry or consume any controlled substance or any beverage containing alcohol.
- Students may not write on seats, or vandalize district property. Parents will be held responsible for repairs or replacements.
- No glass containers will be allowed on the school bus.
- The school bus shall not transport any animals, or reptiles of any kind on the school bus. This includes school projects.
- Students shall not carry on or transport in a school bus an explosive device, gun, knife, or weapon of any kind.
- Students shall not carry roller blades, scooters, or balloons on the school bus. Skateboards will only be allowed on school buses if strapped to or inside a backpack.
- Middle School and High School students are required to show school ID during unloading/loading at school.
Depending on the offense the criteria for disciplinary action is as follows:
- Verbal Warning on bus and/or student conference with transportation discipline representative.
- Student conference with transportation representative and phone call home to parent/guardian.
- On campus consequence or suspension from bus riding privilege depending on the seriousness of actions.
- Revocation of riding privileges for the remainder of semester.
- Physical altercations between students on the bus may result in immediate bus suspension and will be turned over to site administration immediately.
Consequences will be given on a case by case basis but the above criteria will be the guideline.
School Bus Regulations (PDF)
Reglamentos de Autobuses
Reglamentos de Autobuses (PDF)
Reglamentos de autobuses escolares de J.O. Combs
Consulte la política JICC, JICC-R, JICC-EA, JICC-EB o comuníquese con su escuela para más información.
El distrito provee transporte por autobús para todos los estudiantes quienes viven una milla o más de la escuela. Para estudiantes de la secundaria (High School y Middle School) la distancia es de una milla y media. Por razones de seguridad, el distrito recomienda a los padres que supervisen a sus hijos en la parada de autobús.
El transporte proporcionado por el distrito es un privilegio. La conducta inapropiada en las paradas, en vehículos del distrito, o en el proceso de abordar o bajar de un vehículo puede resultar en acción disciplinario estudiantil incluyendo, pero no limitado a la pérdida de privilegios de transporte.
Comportamiento en el autobús y en las paradas de autobús
Para el fin de proporcionar transportación segura para todos los estudiantes, las siguientes reglas deben ser seguidas:
- Los estudiantes deben obedecer al conductor del autobús en cada momento.
- Los estudiantes deben permanecer fuera de la calle mientras esperan al autobús escolar.
- Los estudiantes deben estar en su parada de autobús programada por lo menos diez minutos antes de su hora de parada programada.
- Los estudiantes deben cruzar la calle a pies de distancia al frente del autobús escolar.
- Los estudiantes sólo pueden viajar en su ruta asignada, al menos uno de los padres/tutor legal ha escrito una nota y se ha sellado, fechado, y rubricado por la oficina escolar. La mayoría de los autobuses no pueden acomodar a pasajeros adicionales.
- Los estudiantes deben subir y bajar solamente en la parada designada.
- Los estudiantes deben portarse de manera respetuosa y apropiada mientras esperan para el autobús escolar.
- Dé su nombre correcto cuando sea solicitado por el conductor del autobús o del monitor.
- Permanezca sentado todo el tiempo mientras el autobús está moviendo.
- Permanezca en silencio en los cruces de ferrocarril.
- No se permite alimento o bebida, salvo botellas de agua, en el autobús.
- Los estudiantes no deberán llevar o consumir cualquier sustancia regulada o cualquier bebida que contenga alcohol.
- Los estudiantes no pueden escribir en los asientos, o destruir la propiedad del distrito. Los padres serán responsables de las reparaciones o reemplazos.
- No se permiten envases de vidrio en el autobús escolar.
- El autobús escolar no deberá transportar a los animales de cualquier tipo; esto incluye los proyectos escolares.
- Los estudiantes no deben traer au transport en un autobús escolar un artefacto explosivo, una pistola, un cuchillo o arma de cualquier tipo.
- Los estudiantes no deben traer patines, o globos en el autobús escolar. Patinetas solo permitidas atada a la mochila o dentro de la mochila en el autobús escolar.
Dependiendo de la infracción, los criterios para la acción disciplinaria es el siguiente:
- Aviso verbal en el autobús y / o conferencia estudiantil con el representante disciplinario del transporte.
- Conferencia estudiantil con el representante disciplinario del transporte y una llamada a su casa con sus padres/tutor legal.
- Consecuencia en la escuela o suspensión de viajar en el autobús, dependiendo de la seriedad de las acciones.
- La revocación de los privilegios de viajar para el resto del semestre
- Altercados físicos entre los estudiantes en el autobús puede resultar en la suspensión inmediata del privilegio de viajar en el autobús y será entregado a la administración del distrito inmediatamente.
Las consecuencias serán administradas según la seriedad del caso, pero los criterios antes mencionados será la guía.
Reglamentos de Autobuses (PDF)
Transportation of Special Education Students
J.O. Combs Unified School District #44
Special Needs Transportation Guidelines
For a safe and timely travel with your child in mind, we are requesting your cooperation in the following areas:
- Please have your student ready ten minutes prior to scheduled pickup time. If the bus has not arrived within ten minutes after scheduled pickup time, call the Transportation Department at (480) 987-5309 option 1. Transportation Guidelines states that the driver will wait an additional two minutes past the scheduled pickup time and call dispatch before departing.
- Per state and federal laws, no medication or items that cannot be secured be transferred in a school bus. This includes diapers, drinks, food, snacks, or any loose items that can spill or cause a tripping hazard.
- Anytime your child will not need transportation to school or from school, please call dispatch at (480) 987-5309 option 1. If no one is home to receive your child and we are unable to reach anyone by phone, the driver will return your student to school and you will need to have someone pick them up there.
- It is necessary to know who has authorization to receive your child. Please contact dispatch and provide the names of individuals authorized to receive your student. The driver and aid will not release your child without the presence of an adult at home, so please make your presence known to the driver.
- Please provide dispatch with any changes pertaining to your student’s transportation, i.e., new address, changes to phone numbers, changes to caregivers, etc. Please notify dispatch immediately as it could take 3 to 5 days to change the route and contact all the parents with times.
Please note: Pickup and Dropoff times can vary due to bus breakdowns, absences, and traffic.
Thank you for your consideration and helping us provide safe and efficient transportation for our students.
J.O. Combs Unified School District #44
Transportation Department
Transportation of Special Education Students (PDF)
Transportation Discipline
J.O. Combs Unified School District #44
Transportation Discipline
Riding a bus is a privilege.
- Students may lose their bus riding privileges immediately for serious infractions.
- Bus suspensions may include field trips and activity runs.
- Students who cut, deface or otherwise damage any school vehicle may be disciplined up to expulsion including being held financially liable for the damage.
- School administrators have the authority to determine the length of bus suspension considering the infraction and behavioral history of the student involved.
Bus riders are expected to adhere to the following rules:
- Follow directions immediately when asked. It is unsafe for the driver to have to argue or explain the reason for a request while operating the bus.
- Remain seated at all times and until the bus arrives at the scheduled stop.
- Keep all parts of your body inside the bus and to self at all times.
- Talk quietly as would be in the classroom and use only appropriate language. Remember, younger students are watching and learning from older students.
- Throw away any garbage when exiting the bus.
- Keep the aisle clear at all times including keeping feet and legs out of the aisle.
- Water is the only allowable food or drink.
- Do not tamper with bus equipment or vandalize any parts of the bus. Students WILL be held responsible for the cost of the damage.
- ALL school expectations for appropriate behavior apply when riding the bus.
- Skateboards, longboards, and scooters are not allowed on the bus.
Bus drivers have the authority to apply the following actions regarding student discipline. If the student’s misconduct continues, the bus driver will submit a discipline referral to the school administration.
Assigned Seat: The bus driver or school administration may reassign a seat. Parents may be notified.
Student Conference: The bus driver will discuss the inappropriate behavior, describe acceptable behavior and ask the student to make adjustments to his/her behavior so that the consequences do not need to progress. Parents are not typically notified.
Pull over: The bus driver may pull over and stop the bus when student behavior causes an endangerment and it is unsafe to drive the bus. The driver will notify the transportation department. Student discipline referrals may result if the driver takes this action.
Conference with Administrator: The bus driver may request that the school administrator conference with the student about the inappropriate behavior. The bus driver may be present for the conference. Parents may be notified.
|
Level I |
Level II |
Level III |
|---|---|---|
|
Failure to remain properly seated |
Profanity, obscene language or gestures |
Lighting matches/ |
|
Loud disruptive talking or yelling |
Extending head or arm out bus window |
Throwing objects from the bus |
|
Failure to take assigned seat |
Vandalizing district property |
Verbal abuse of, or physical assault on school employee |
|
Bothering others |
Defiant behavior shown to school employee |
Drug/alcohol/tobacco use on bus |
|
Throwing objects on bus |
Spitting on bus/at a person/from the bus |
Tampering with emergency equipment |
|
Crossing behind the bus |
Throwing objects at the bus |
Possession of weapon, simulated |
|
Continuously late to bus stop |
|
Weapon, or dangerous instrument |
|
Inappropriate conduct at bus stop |
|
Shoving student into path of vehicle |
|
Other: |
Other: |
Physical assault on student on bus |
The violations and definitions listed are not to be viewed as all-inclusive. School administrators have the discretion to assign a violation category to a student’s misconduct based on all evidence collected and in alignment with normal practice. Nothing in this Student Code of Conduct is intended to restrict the district from imposing more or less severe consequences.
Level I
First Offense:
First Offense:
- Conference with the student.
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
Second Offense:
- Three-day suspension of bus riding privileges.
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
Third Offense:
- Ten-day suspension of bus riding privileges.
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
Fourth Offense:
- Thirty-day suspension of bus riding privileges (suspension may carry over into next school year)
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
Fifth Offense:
- Forty five-day suspension of bus riding privileges (suspension may carry over into next school year)
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
Level II
First Offense:
- Five-day suspension of bus riding privileges.
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
Second Offense:
- Ten-day suspension of bus riding privileges.
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
Third Offense:
- Thirty-day suspension of bus riding privileges (suspension may carry over into next school year).
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
Fourth Offense:
- Sixty-day suspension of bus riding privileges (suspension may carry over into next school year)
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
Level III
First Offense:
- Ten-day suspension of bus riding privileges
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
- Referral submitted to school administration and school consequences applied for violation of District rules. The administrator will apply the discipline matrix found as part of the J.O. Combs Student Discipline Handbook.
Second Offense:
- Forty five-day suspension of bus riding privileges (suspension may carry over into next school
- year)
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
- Referral submitted to school administration and school consequences applied for violation of District rules. The administrator will apply the discipline matrix found as part of the J.O. Combs Student Discipline Handbook.
Third Offense:
- One year suspension of bus riding privileges (suspension may carry over into next school year)
- Parent signs and returns Bus Misconduct Report.
- Conference with parent (by telephone or in person) and student. If a parent fails to attend the conference, the student will remain suspended from the bus until the conference has occurred.
- Referral submitted to school administration and school consequences applied for violation of District rules. The administrator will apply the discipline matrix found as part of the J.O. Combs Student Discipline Handbook.
Note: If the incident takes place on a white fleet or van, driven by:
- A member of transportation, the same expectations as discipline of an incident on a school bus will be followed.
- A teacher/coach, the incident will be treated like an incident in a classroom. The teacher/coach will submit a referral to the appropriate administrator for discipline outlined in the J.O. Combs Student Discipline Handbook.