District 211 Shares School Bus Safety Changes

PALATINE, IL — Township High School District 211 shared several changes Wednesday for students riding the school bus during the 2020-2021 school year. According to the district, the safety and security of students is their ultimate priority, therefore the following changes are being implemented for students riding the bus.

The district asks students to:

• Wear their face mask at the bus stop and while on the bus. One will be handed to the student if they don't have one.
• At the bus stop, lineup in a single file line. Abide by social distance and stay at least 6 feet apart.
• No eating or drinking on the bus.
• When the student boards, go back as far as seats are available (load back to front). When they unload, the front goes first (unload front to back). Do not stand until the person in front of you is moving down the aisle. Take turns, alternating from one side to the other.
• Sit on person per seat until all seats are full. Members of the same household will share a seat.
• Please keep the seat directly behind the driver open as much as possible.

High school district 211 said they operate one of Illinois' largest school-owned fleets, with approximately 200 buses and vans to safely transport nearly 9,000 students daily.

"Our professional staff, consisting of drivers, bus technicians, and office personnel work diligently to meet and exceed the safety standards set forth by the State and Federal regulations," The district stated. "We demonstrate and encourage the highest level of dedication within our Transportation department to provide the safest service for the students of District 211."

Don't miss updates about precautions in the Palatine area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

These changes come nearly a week after District 211 Superintendent Lisa Small said students and staff will start the new school year with a hybrid scenario plan. While all students will connect from home to the classroom Thursday and Friday, Aug. 13 and 14, the hybrid scenario will begin Monday, Aug. 17, during which 50 percent of students will be in-person for the week and the other 50% of students connecting to the classroom from home, according to a letter from Smalls.

The district asks anyone in need of assistance during regular hours (7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to please contact Transportation at 847-755-6796, or if assistance is needed before 7:30 a.m. or after 4 p.m., please call 847-755-1798.

> More information