ETIWANDA SCHOOL DISTRICT 2016‐2017 BUS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
Dear Parent/Guardian: The school year 2015‐16 has come to a close, but the new school year is just around the corner—beginning August 8, 2016! This packet contains important information—READ CAREFULLY! We are asking for your help in planning for the District’s 2016‐17 transportation needs. Our records indicate that your child(ren) may qualify as a candidate to ride the bus during 2016‐17. If you would be interested in having your child participate in the Bus Transportation Program, please review the program steps/guidelines and related information provided on the following pages. If you have any questions or concerns, telephone or visit the Bus Pass Desk located at the Etiwanda School District Office, 6061 East Avenue, Etiwanda, CA 91739, (909) 899‐2451. ***ATTENTION ALL RETURNING RIDERS*** If your child(ren) will be riding during the 2016‐17 school year, please complete the Renewal Certificate found at the bottom of this page and forward to the Bus Pass Desk along with payment for the August bus pass no later than July 26, 2016. Passes will be mailed to the rider’s home address. (Be sure to read entire packet.) PROGRAM NOTE: Returning riders do not need to fill‐out a new transportation application……UNLESS…… residence and/or contact information has changed—i.e., home address, cell/home/work phone numbers, e‐
mail addresses, etc.—any such change will require that a new application be submitted with the Renewal Certificate and August payment. REMINDER……updated CNS Free/Reduced letters are due September 1, 2016. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ RENEWAL CERTIFICATE / ESD BUS TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM / 2016‐2017 Name of Student(s): ______________________________________ School(s): _________________________ Circle One: YES My child(ren) will be riding the bus during 2016‐17.
NO
My child(ren) will not be riding the bus during 2016‐17. ___________________________________ Signature of Parent/Guardian _________________________ Date WELCOME NEW RIDERS You have received this information packet because your student’s home address of record falls within the boundary area that is eligible to participate in the Bus Transportation Program. For those of you who will be coming on board as new participants to the Bus Program, the following steps will answer some of your questions and guide you through the application process: STEP 1: DOES THE STUDENT QUALIFY TO RIDE THE BUS? Bus riders must live a distance of 2.5 miles or more from their school of residence. Eligible/qualified riders will attend one of the following schools during 2016‐17: Day Creek Intermediate Etiwanda Intermediate Heritage Intermediate Summit Intermediate Etiwanda Colony Elementary* *Students attending ESD elementary schools other than Etiwanda Colony do not qualify for the Bus Program.
PROGRAM NOTE: Students on Inter‐District or Intra‐District Transfers are not eligible to participate in the Bus Program. STEP 2: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RIDE THE BUS? Monthly Rates for the Bus Transportation Program are as follows: Bus Program – Monthly Rates
One Rider Two Riders Three OR MORE Riders NOW AVAILABLE: Full Fare
$75.00 $150.00 $225.00 Reduced Fare*
$37.50 $75.00 $112.50 Free Ridership* Free Rider Free Riders Free Riders Annual Passes – See Program Changes/Enhancements Section PROGRAM NOTE: Transportation fees are non‐refundable. Pass Replacement Fee: $5.00 / Monthly Pass *Riders may also be eligible to receive a reduced fare or free ridership if they qualify for free or reduced
lunches under the District’s Child Nutrition Services (CNS) program—see STEP 3. STEP 3: HOW DOES THE PARENT/GUARDIAN APPLY FOR A REDUCED BUS FARE OR FREE RIDERSHIP? In order to receive a Reduced Bus Fare or a Free Ridership Privilege, the bus rider must qualify for the District’s Free/Reduced Lunch Program. To apply for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program, call or visit the ESD Child Nutrition Department, 12999 Victoria Street, 2nd Floor, Etiwanda, CA 91739, (909) 803‐3155. Office Hours: Mon.‐Fri. from 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. If the rider qualifies for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program, the parent/guardian will receive a CNS Eligibility Letter from the Child Nutrition Department. A copy of this letter must be submitted with the rider’s Transportation Application. The August payment requirement does not apply to CNS free riders. STEP 4: HOW TO APPLY FOR BUS TRANSPORTATION? To apply for the Bus Program, the parents/guardians of new riders must submit the following items: A completed/signed ESD Transportation Application (form included with this packet). A check or EZSchoolPay receipt to purchase the August bus pass. (Cash is accepted if applying in‐person.) A copy of the student’s CNS Eligibility Letter for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program (if applicable). Application materials and payments can be submitted via U.S. Mail or delivered in‐person to the Etiwanda School District, Attn. Bus Pass Desk, 6061 East Avenue, Etiwanda, CA 91739, beginning July 5, 2016. The application form is also available on the ESD website (www.etiwanda.org) under Transportation Department. STEP 5: WHAT ARE THE METHODS OF PAYMENT? Cash: Accepted if payment is made in‐person at the Bus Pass Desk. Check: Checks for bus passes should be made payable to the Etiwanda School District. Payment can be made in‐person or by mail. Debit/Credit Card: Use the EZSchoolPay online system to make payment using a debit or credit card. A link to EZ Pay can be found on the ESD website (www.etiwanda.org). A Convenience Fee of $1.25 is charged per transaction. Future Purchases: The purchase of passes for subsequent months can be made using any of the three methods listed above. However, we strongly encourage parents/guardians to consider using EZSchoolPay…… ……Fast, easy, convenient—click and pay—you’re done! If you need to set‐up an account or link a student to your account, contact your student’s school to obtain a permanent ID number. The pass will be mailed to the rider’s home address. STEP 6: WHEN / HOW ARE THE PASSES ISSUED? Once we have verified that a student is eligible to ride the bus, the pass will be mailed to the rider’s home address through July 26, 2016. After July 26th, new riders will need to visit the Bus Pass Desk ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016, in order to obtain the pass. ***FOR RETURNING RIDERS*** the same rule applies: If the Renewal Certificate and August payment is received between July 11 and July 26, 2016, the pass will be mailed to the student’s home address. After July 26th, passes must be picked‐up from the Bus Pass Desk NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016. CONTINUE THIS WAY CONTINUE THIS WAY
PROGRAM CHANGES & ENHANCEHMENTS / 2016‐2017
NOW AVAILABLE – ANNUAL PASSES!!! For the first time, the District is pleased to offer bus riders the opportunity to purchase an annual bus pass that will be valid for use during the entire school year, instead of purchasing on a month‐to‐month basis: Annual Pass – Full Fare Riders: $675.00—a savings discount of $75.00 Annual Pass – Reduced Fare Riders: $337.50—a savings discount of $33.75 Pass Replacement Fees: Lost Annual Pass: $75.00 Lost Monthly Pass: $5.00 CNS FREE RIDERSHIP: Students receiving free ridership privileges under the Child Nutrition Services Free/Reduced Lunch Program will be issued an annual pass for use during 2016‐2017 instead of individual, monthly passes. The pass will be mailed to the student’s home address once eligibility has been confirmed for 2016‐2017. CNS Eligibility Letters for 2016‐17 should be submitted to the Bus Pass Desk on or before September 1, 2016. IEP FREE RIDERSHIP: Students receiving free ridership privileges as mandated by an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will also receive an annual pass for 2016‐2017 in lieu of individual, monthly passes. The pass will be mailed to the student’s home address. DISCOUNTS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR MULTIPLE‐PASS PURCHASES After careful review and consideration, the District will discontinue offering the Multiple‐Pass‐Per‐Rider Discount. However, monthly passes may still be purchased in advance at regular rates. BUS ROUTE/STOP INFORMATION: The bus transportation schedule for 2016‐2017 will be posted on the district website (www.etiwanda.org) when it becomes available. Parents/guardians should closely monitor the website between now and August 8th to watch for updated information. Contact the Transportation Office by phone at (909) 803‐3151, or via E‐Mail ([email protected]) with any questions/concerns. Office Hours: Mon. – Fri. from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Location: 12999 Victoria Street, 1st Floor, Etiwanda, CA 91739. HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP! CONTACT THE BUS PASS DESK: Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Closed Daily: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Lunch) Telephone: (909) 899‐2451 E‐Mail: Helpdesk‐[email protected] Location: Etiwanda School District Education Center, 6061 East Avenue, Etiwanda, CA 91739 (Version: 07/05/2016)