HPS Transportation
January/February 2024
Why ID?
We have been using student IDs on the bus since 2020. Many families wonder about the importance of students scanning them on and off the bus.
Our primary purpose in using the cards is safety, of course. Additionally, however, the IDs assist in many other areas:
- Efficiency - When we have a complete picture of which assigned students are riding the bus regularly, it can assist in more efficient bus routes
- Communication - With more compliance, we can add the feature on the parent app that will show student attendance. Parents will have the ability to be alerted when and where your child enters or exits the bus.
- Responsibility - While it can be a challenge for students to keep track of the whereabouts of their ID card, requiring it for each trip builds responsibility, which fosters discipline and independence - essential qualities as they move forward in life.
Hooray for these Superstar Riders!!!
We have continued to issue hundreds of Superstar Rider certificates over the past month; great job, students!!! Here are some proud recipients from Elmwood School
STOPFINDER IS A GREAT TOOL FOR FAMILIES
The app has the ability to track the bus and to alert you when the bus has entered a zone, allowing you to plan more efficiently. Traffic, construction and student attendance makes keeping an exact schedule a challenge sometimes. We have always asked for a 10 minute window for pick up and drop off times. With Stopfinder, you will be able to set Geoalerts, giving you a notification when the bus is approaching your location.
If you are not currently using the app, you are missing out!
Click the link below for more information and how-to guides on Stopfinder.
Email transportation@hopkinton.k12.ma.us if you need a new invitation link
***Important Reminders***
We have made several requests regarding the points below, but are still having issues. Please help us by complying with the transportation regulations.
Student IDs are REQUIRED to ride the bus. Please see Our Website to obtain a replacement.
- All bus students must be at the bus stop 5-10 minutes prior to posted bus stop time. Students should be physically waiting at the bus stop, not inside a house, car or down the street. Bus drivers are unable to wait for students who are not at the bus stop.
- Kindergarten parents must be at the bus to receive their student off of the bus; not waiting in their car.
- All DAILY transportation changes should be made through your school’s on-line dismissal form, per the school’s policy.
- Elementary Students will not be let off at a stop other than the one assigned to them without a daily dismissal form.
- Only one ID card can be active at a time. If you have received a replacement ID, the previous ID has been made Inactive. Do not use the old card, if found.
- Please DO NOT PUNCH A HOLE through the card or scratch the card as there is an embedded RFID chip in the card and it will not scan if damaged
Featured Driver
Joe, driver of bus 23, has been driving a school bus for 3 years. He lives in Hopkinton, enjoys woodworking and loves the outdoors!
Joe owns a saw mill and is milling up the beams for the house he is building up North, as well as for charcuterie boards and tables. Joe is a massage therapist and donates his time to perform massages for the elite Boston marathon runners.
Joe's consistency, willingness to always pitch in, and upbeat attitude make him a great member of the HPS Bus Driver team!!
Hopkinton, MA 01748
508-417-9381