Transportation

Transportation, a branch of operations, ensures that the division is equipped with a safe and efficient transportation system. Garden Valley School Division is committed to providing safe and well-maintained vehicles to transport students, and to hire qualified, trained, and concerned individuals to drive the vehicles. GVSD constantly monitors the busing system with an emphasis on improving safety by providing in-service training for all personnel involved.

The safety of students travelling on school buses is a prime concern to all drivers. Whenever approaching a school bus with flashing lights or other warning devices, whether approaching it from the front or rear, there are traffic laws that must be obeyed.

From time to time there may be occasions where your bus may be delayed due to road or weather conditions, or mechanical breakdown etc. When there is a delay, we request parents along bus routes to receive instruction from the Division Office and relay the information and updates to other parents via a phone tree calling procedure. The Transportation Office thanks you for your co-operation and assistance.

In the event of an emergency closing of schools due to poor weather (e.g., winter storms), the GVSD board policy on the emergency closing of schools due to poor weather and road conditions will be in effect. See Policy: Weather Closures.

Eligibility for Busing

Transportation will be provided for those pupils who would have more than 1.6 kilometers to walk in order to reach school, and, further, provision for transportation from home to school will be made regardless of distance for those pupils who are unable to walk to school because of physical or other handicaps.

Student who are attending a GVSD school as a school of choice are responsible for their own transportation to and from school.

Guidelines used to establish school bus routes

While on the face of it, bus routing may seem simple, especially when you look at a route in isolation, they are in fact complex. While it is our goal to plan a safe, efficient, and timely route for each and every bus rider, we have many variables to consider. Below is a list of variables, in no particular order, that are considered, if applicable, for each and every routing decision. If you require further information or have questions regarding your student’s bus route, please contact your Driver, your principal, or the GVSD Transportation Department.