Transportation
Important things to know about the Regional Transportation Program this year, due to Covid-19
- Families/Students who completed the application process in the fall have seats reserved for when the hybrid in-person learning begins.
- Students will ride the bus only on days they will attend in-person learning. For example, if your child(ren) have been assigned to Cohort A, he or she will ride the bus Mondays and Tuesdays. If your child(ren) has been assigned to Cohort B, he or she will ride the bus on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Assigned seats - all students will have assigned seats on the bus. Siblings and household members will be assigned seats together on the bus. All students are expected to sit only in their assigned seats – no exceptions.
- Masks required - all students will be required to wear a mask at all times on the bus.
- Bus Stop Protocol - Students are expected to physically distance from one another at the bus stop. Boarding the bus in an orderly manner, reporting directly to their assigned seat.
- Students assigned to a bus using the Smart Tag system are expected to use their bus pass when the board and unload the bus. These buses include, Red #1 Bus, Orange #2 Bus, Navy #5 Bus, Black #9 Bus (Cohort A only). These students/families will be provided details of the program.
- Bus Student Health and Safety Rules remain in effect and will be strictly enforced.
Please click on the attachment below to view important Bus Student Health Safety Rules that will be strictly enforced.
Update: 3/11/21: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has updated its pandemic health and safety guidance for school buses.
While the majority of the current health and safety guidelines remain in place, there has been a change to the social distancing guidelines on-board buses, and it does impact our Regional Transportation Program at Foxborough Regional Charter School.
Elementary Schools:
- Capacity limitations and physical distancing requirements for students on buses are lifted.
Middle and High Schools:
- Capacity limitations and physical distancing requirements for students on buses are lifted, except for except for middle and high schools in districts with high community prevalence.
Community health metrics have continued to improve and our Regional buses currently do not transport students living towns with “high community prevalence”.
For the remainder of the school year, we will continue to seat siblings and household members together. But, when necessary, students who are not from the same household will be assigned to sit together, two to a bench. Students will NOT be seated three to a bench.
All other health and safety rules put in place at the beginning of the school year will continue to be strictly enforced.
At this time, Regional Transportation for the 2020-2021 school year is limited.
If you wish to apply for transportation services please reach out directly to the Transportation Coordinator, Jean Lewis at JLewis@foxboroughrcs.org.
Update: 3-23-21: At this time the following buses are FULL:
- Navy
- Dark Green
- Orange
- Light Blue
- Yellow
- Purple
- Silver
Limited space is available on all other buses.
The Regional Transportation Application for the 2021-2022 school year will be available late May, early June
Bus Routes 2020-2021
Please Note: All routes are subject to change.
Bus Conduct and Discipline Guidelines
We are pleased to offer school bus privileges for the upcoming school year. A school bus is an extension of school itself and the same code of conduct with appropriate consequences will apply for bus misbehavior as they do in school. School bus safety is a primary concern of F.R.C.S. and F.R.C.S. reserves the right to take whatever action is necessary to maintain a high level of safety. The right of a pupil to school bus transportation is a qualified right, dependent on appropriate behavior. In cases where a pupil seriously or continuously violates the code of conduct, parents will be notified by the School and the bus pass will be revoked if, in the opinion of the School, such action is necessary for the general safety and wellbeing of other students.
Please click on the attachment below to read the 2020-2021 Bus Conduct Guidelines.
Return Trip Information
Students in Kindergarten, Grade 1 & 2 will NOT be left at a bus stop unattended. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to meet the bus on time to pick up your children. If you are unable to meet the bus on time to pick up your children please make the necessary arrangements to have someone pick them up in your place so they are safe and supervised at all times.
Please be sure to inform the school if your child has any change in plans for dismissal. All bus students are presumed to be taking the bus each afternoon. A substantial fee will be assessed should a student need to be returned to the school if a parent or guardian is not on-time at the bus stop to greet their child in the afternoon.
A Note From Home is required if child(ren) is not taking the bus. It is the responsibility of the family to inform the school of any change in dismissal. Bus students are presumed to be taking the bus each afternoon unless otherwise directed. Such changes must be submitted daily – blanket notes covering long term changes to dismissal will NOT be recognized.
Please click on the link below to read our policy on Return Trips.
School Bus Window Procedure for Cold and Inclement Weather
July 2020, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released guidance regarding having the school bus windows be open when in operation. The guidance states:
Ventilation: Mitigate airborne transmission by increasing outdoor air ventilation. Doing so helps dilute the concentration or displace the presence of airborne virus. Opening windows can greatly increase the level of ventilation within a school bus and therefore reduce COVID-19 transmission risk.
- Keep windows open at all times during operation: unless not possible due to extreme weather conditions. Even in cold or rainy weather, bus windows should be kept open at least partially (a couple of inches, if possible).
- Consider keeping roof hatches open on buses during operation for further ventilation.
FRCS will expand upon this as follows:
- When the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the forecast does not call for rain all windows shall be fully opened.
- When the temperature is between 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit, every other window shall be closed halfway, with all other windows full open.
- When it is raining, snowing, and/or when the temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, every other window shall be opened only 2-3 inches. All other windows shall be fully closed.
Parents should plan accordingly. Please send students to school with the appropriate clothing to keep them warm during their bus ride. It is recommended that the students dress in layers (long sleeved shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, hats, and gloves) to be able to help regulate in the changing conditions. Students cannot bring blankets on the bus.
Foxborough Residents
If you are a resident of the town of Foxborough, please reach out directly to the town at 508-543-1600 to coordinate busing for your child.