Staff Report

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The first day of school in Palm Beach County is Aug. 15 and preparations to help ensure a smooth start continue. As it relates to transporting the district’s students, school bus schedules and routes have been posted and there is no need to preregister for scheduled bus routes.

To find your child’s bus stop location by address and school, frequently asked questions about transportation, safety tips and other useful information, visit PalmBeachSchools.org. Schedules can also be obtained by calling the Transportation Call Center.

Parents should check their child’s routes and times before the first day of school, as they may have changed from previous school years. In an effort to monitor stops made, delays and bus speed,transportation and school administration can use GPS to track school buses while they are in route.

“While we make every effort possible to be on time, starting from the first day of school,we expect there will be some delays in the first couple of weeks of school,” said Dr. Donald Fennoy,the District’s Chief Operating Officer.

The Transportation Call Center will be open Wednesday, August 10 through Friday,August 12 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 561-242-6565 or 561-357-1110.

The Transportation Call Center will be open Saturday, August 13 and Sunday, August 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 561-242-6565 or 561-357-1110.

Starting August 15, the Transportation Call Center is open Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 561-242- 6565 or 561-357-1110. All calls are logged, and messages left will be returned within 24 hours. The call center can answer questions in English,Spanish and Kreyol.

Parents should resist the desire to take their child to school the first week; instead walk them to and from the bus stop and allow them to ride the school bus.

“We understand that parents want to share the first days of school with their children. However, students should be given the opportunity to ride the bus during the first week of school so that they can learn how to find their classrooms when they arrive and board their bus at dismissal,” Fennoy said. “We need to get a real sense of how many students are riding the bus and take the bus through the routes a few times to get the best sense of a normal day. Then we make adjustments if they are needed.”

For more information please contact the Office of Communications at 561-357- 1114