School Bus

Rocket Families, 

This message is to provide you with some updates regarding transportation. Making sure our students arrive at school and home both safely and on time is important to us. As you know, Rochester #3a and school districts everywhere are experiencing challenges with transportation. We appreciate our outstanding bus drivers and transportation department as they continue to work to provide our students and families with quality bus service. We also appreciate our families for your cooperation and understanding. Following is a summary of some important updates and information regarding bus service.

Morning Arrival: Making sure students arrive at school safely and on time is our top priority. In order to do this, it is necessary that the morning pick-up time for certain buses to be earlier. Currently, families who have children riding on bus #10 can expect earlier pick-up times beginning Monday, November 7. Director of Transportation, Ty Smith, will send a specific communication to the families that have riders on bus #10 with more information about pick-up times. 

GPS/Here Comes the Bus: Last spring you received information about the GPS system and app, Here Comes the Bus, which will allow families to receive notifications about the arrival and departure of school buses among other features that will assist in reducing the amount and/or time of double routes. Unfortunately, Rochester #3a  hasn't escaped supply chain issues. Although we purchased the Here Comes the Bus App in February 2022, the chips for the GPS were on backorder.  The good news is that the devices have finally been received and installed. Now training is underway. We plan to launch the app in January 2023. Learn more about Here Comes the Bus by watching this short video. 

Morning Drop Off: All schools are open at 7:30 a.m. for families to drop off their children. Students that arrive early may go to the cafeteria where full-service breakfast is served. 

Afternoon Dismissal: Our transportation department is reviewing options for possible shuttle routes in the afternoon that may reduce the time it takes for students to arrive home. An update on the status of afternoon routes will be provided following the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Plan for Continued Delays and Challenges: When the construction on Hilltop Road is complete, changes for bus pick-up and drop-off times will be necessary. Please extend patience and grace as we work through those times as they occur. The transportation department will communicate with families as information becomes available. 

As we move forward, additional information will be provided to you with our continued progress. Despite the challenges we face together, we are fortunate to have the resources available and drivers who care deeply about our students so that we can continue to prioritize driving them to school and home safely. 

It’s a great day to be a Rocket!!! 

Be the Difference, 

Dan W. Cox

Superintendent of Schools