PH:  302-454-2281
FX:  302-454-2338

Garcia P. Garnett, Jr.
Supervisor

Interactive Map

In the case of inclement weather conditions, the Superintendent makes the final decision about whether to delay the opening of school or close school for the entire day.  The decision is made after administrative staff report from various positions in the county regarding road conditions.  A decision will be made
and the public will be notified as early as possible,
using the district website, email, local media outlets, and the ParentLink parent notification system.  If
there is an early dismissal from school, students will
be sent home on their regular assigned bus, and the District will notify parents as soon as the decision is made.

Transportation for children with special needs is determined by a committee of people involved in that student's education plan.  A special needs transportation request is submitted by the school administrator and processed by the Transportation department.  Five to seven days are needed to obtain all emergency information, process routing information, and communicate with parents and other professionals involved.

Questions about transportation services may be directed to the Transportation Department.  The Dispatch office is open at 5:00 a.m., and calls may be directed to 302-454-2281, extension 1.  The fax number is 302-454-2338.

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• Why is my child's bus late?

• Why did you suspend my child from riding the bus?

• Why can't you call when you know the bus will be late?

• Why can't you come further into my subdivision?

• Why does my child have a seat assignment?

• Why can't my child get off whenever they want in the afternoon?

• How do you decide when it is too dangerous for school buses to transport students to school due to inclement weather?  Who decides?  How is the pubic notified?

• Why are there only 30 students riding some buses and my child's bus is crowded?

• How can I become a school bus driver?

• How can I receive transportation for my special needs child?

• How long does it take to set up transportation for my special needs child?

• What is the average time length of the ride for special needs students?

• Why can't last minute changes be granted?

• Why can't my regular education child ride the same bus with my special needs child?

• Can I reach someone in Transportation Services before 6:00 a.m.?

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• Sometimes the bus routes must be doubled out or run as a second load to or from the school due to the regular driver being absent.

• Traffic in New Castle County area is increasing.

• Drivers check buses before their routes and sometimes find mechanical problems that can cause delays and require driving another bus for that day.  This can cause the bus to be unpunctual.

Please know that we are doing everything humanly possible to have all buses running on schedule everyday.  In the event that your bus does not arrive as scheduled, please allow ten to thirty minutes before calling the transportation office or the school.

Why did you suspend my child from riding the bus?
Behavioral expectations on the school bus are much like those in the classroom.  Then, factor in the mobility of that "classroom" and traffic, added noise and the size of the "classroom" and you have a potential catastrophe if there are not clear expectations and enforcement.  The behavioral expectations on the bus revolve around the individual rights of every person on the bus, including the driver and the collective rights of students and driver as it pertains to SAFETY.  Anything that jeopardizes the safety of individuals on the bus is viewed as serious.

Most drives have Bus rules or Expectations posted on the bus.  When there is an infraction, a referral is turned into the school administrators, who are responsible for contacting the student and parent to solve the lack of compliance with bus expectations.  The school administrator is solely responsible for consequences based on the incident as described by the driver and student.  Most buses have video cameras, which are used to verify incidents.  Our goal is never to deny any student transportation to and from school, but we must maintain safety for all students.

 Why can't you call when you know the bus will be late?
It is simply a numbers problem.  There are as many as 50-70 students on each bus.  That is at least 50-70 phone calls in a short time frame to parents who are quite possibly at the bus stop with their children.  It is just not feasible.  Please know that there is a bus on the way and that we will do everything humanly possible to transport your child to and from school in a timely manner every day.  If your scheduled bus is more than ten minutes late, please allow for the time that is required for the route to be driven as a second load.

Why can't you come further into my subdivision?
School buses come in various sizes ranging from 25 to 36 feel long, 20,000-26,000 pounds, 12-13 feet high and 6-9 feet wide.  The length is what limits the school bus to be maneuvered in cul-de-sacs and tight places.  Smaller buses can turn in a shorter radius, while longer buses cannot maneuver the same circle without backing the bus, which is avoided in routing if possible.  Residents sometimes park trucks, boats, and trailers on the streets.  Children leave their bicycles, skateboards, and basketball backboards in the street.  Although our drivers are trained to be able to parallel park their buses, some subdivisions are not designed with school bus transportation in mind.  Please know that we will design school bus routes to be safe and convenient to the majority of students within the limits of time and physics. 

Why does my child have a seat assignment? 
Seat assignments are a positive way for the ride to be consistent and safe.  It is also our policy for elementary and middle school students to be assigned to a specific seat.  This aids the driver with discipline and learning each student's name at the beginning of the school year.  We trust our drivers to let us know when this policy is no longer effective.

Why can't my child get off wherever they want in the afternoon?
This policy avoids confusion and the chance for students getting lost or running away.

 How do you decide when it is too dangerous for school buses to transport students to school due to inclement weather?  Who decides?  How is the public notified?
The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for the final decision to close schools due to inclement weather.  The decision is made after administrative staff report from various positions in the county regarding road conditions, temperature and wind chill, snow and ice build up on main and secondary roads and weather forecasts and predictions.  A decision will be made and the public will be notified by 5:30 a.m.  The following media sites will carry that information to the public.
 

Christina School District
Transportation Services
400 Wyoming Road
Newark, DE  19711

Applications may also be obtained by phoning:  302-454-2281

How long does it take to set up transportation for
my special needs child?
Five to seven (5-7) business days are needed to obtain all emergency information, process routing information, contact drivers and communicate with parents and other professionals involved.

What is the average time length of the ride for
special needs students?
Our goal, for students within the Christina School District, is no more than one hour.

Why can't late minute changes be granted?
SAFETY is our main goal and concern.  Changes may be granted for consistent schedules within the child's regular route.

Why can't my regular education child ride the same
bus with my special needs child?
Special needs transportation is granted in accordance with a student's needs as a related service to the IEP (Individualized Education Plan).  Students who receive an education without an IEP are provided transportation through conventional means.

Can I reach someone in the Transportation
Department before 6:00 a.m.?
Yes, our Dispatch Offices opens at 5:00 a.m.  Call can be taken at 302-454-2281, Extension 1.