Rhodes School for the performing arts
Transportation
RSPA provides bus transportation to students. Learn more about our transportation options in the FAQ below. If needed, please contact our Transportation Department for additional information.
National School Bus Safety Week: October 21-25
Each school day, millions of children ride school buses. Did you know that the school bus is one of the safest vehicles on the road? Less than 1% of all traffic fatalities involve children on school transportation vehicles. However, children are more at risk when approaching or leaving a school bus.
It’s important for all drivers, as well as parents and students, to understand school bus safety. Read the topics below to learn more!
Stopping for School Buses
When you see a school bus slowing down or stopping, it’s not just the bus that you need to have your eyes on – but the surrounding area too. Children wait at least several feet away from a bus and often cross the street when they’re boarding or getting off the bus. This is why you must stop for school buses, and don’t attempt to pass. Tap to learn more about Illegal School Bus Passing & Understanding School Bus Lights.
Bus Stop Safety
Parents, it’s important to talk to your child, or children, about bus stop safety. Tap here to review some tips about being safe before the bus arrives, getting on & off the bus, and using caution around the bus.
Bus Safety
School buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road; they’re designed to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries; and in every state, stop-arm laws protect children from other motorists. Learn how buses are different by design!
Parents, RSPA is thrilled to announce its new partnership with Cariina! Download the Cariina Parent App & start tracking your scholar’s bus today!
Have a smartphone? Get the Cariina Parent App:
As bus routes, shuttles, and placements are solidified, please look for a welcome email to access the Cariina app. The app will display your scholar’s name(s) and their 24-25 bus route.
24-25 Bus Route Schedules
Resources
Transportation Announcements
Customer Satisfaction Survey:
If your scholar uses any of RSPA’s Transportation services for the 2024-2025 school year, please complete the anonymous survey here to let us know how we are doing. All feedback is appreciated as we continue striving for excellence!
Behavior Expectations:
As we begin the new school year, please remember to review bus norms and expectations with your children. We’ve noticed some issues with behavior, and safety remains our top priority. Please have a discussion with your kids about the importance of following the rules and maintaining respectful behavior while on the bus. Review the Bus Regulations & Safety Guidelines here or under Resources. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us ensure a safe and pleasant ride for all students!
Cell Phones Prohibited:
Parents, please remember that the District’s Cell Phone Policy extends to the bus routes. Students are not permitted to use their cell phones while on the bus, unless there is an emergency and the bus driver gives them permission. Please click here to review the District’s Cell Phone Policy.
Transportation FAQs
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How does the bus routes work?
All bus routes are designed to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible while still meeting the scholars’ needs. When a route change is deemed necessary that will affect the pickup and dropoff times and/or the bus number, parents will be notified through Remind 101.
If scholars are not present at the designated bus stop for five continuous days, the bus stop will be discontinued for that scholar without notice to the
parents/guardians. Parents/Guardians will need to contact the Transportation Department to resume service to that stop for the scholar.
Who is eligible to receive school transportation services?
Anyone who lives outside of a two-mile radius, but no more than 15 miles away from the school.
Who is responsible for discipline on the bus?
The driver is responsible for the safety and the discipline on the bus. Misconduct and safety violations by scholars are reported to the Transportation Department Supervisor, parents, guardians, and school personnel.
Scholars who continuously disregard the rules and regulations of the school bus may lose his or her privileges for riding the school bus. Scholars will be given Bus Rules and Regulations Guide and are expected to abide by them. Failure to abide by the rules and regulations will result in a loss of transportation privileges.
Can buses enter gated communities, private properties and construction sites?
Rhodes School for the Performing Arts school buses are not permitted to enter gated communities such as gated apartment complexes. Neighborhoods that are under construction pose a safety hazard; thus, the buses will not travel through areas that are gated, and areas that pose a safety hazard.
What happens to the bus service during inclement weather?
If school is in session, the buses will operate. The superintendent decides whether to cancel school or dismiss school early. Rhodes School for the Performing Arts will notify you if there is a change to the regular schedule.
During hazardous weather, flooding, etc. buses will travel as close to the normal bus stops as possible without jeopardizing scholars’ safety. Parents/ Guardians should be aware of flooding conditions and make arrangements to meet their scholar(s) at the bus stop when possible.
Any students who are unable to be safely delivered home will be returned to the “Crayon Club” for parents/guardians to retrieve their scholar (Parents/ Guardians will be notified).
In rain or cold weather, students are still expected to be at their bus stop.
Is live audio and video surveillance in progress?
Drivers and passengers are subject to audio and video monitoring. Parents are not permitted to view recordings because it would infringe on the privacy of other students, as protected under the Family Education Rights Acts (FERPA).
Are seatbelts required for school buses?
State law does not require school buses to be equipped with seatbelts.
What time will the bus arrive at the stop?
We ask that scholars are at the designated bus stop five minutes prior to the stop time.
Who should I contact if my scholar is being bullied or harassed?
If your scholar is being bullied or harassed please contact the school’s
administration.
Can I change to a different stop location?
The ability to change stops is determined by the availability of space. Students have one bus stop in the morning and one bus stop in the afternoon.
If you are requesting a stop change for a daycare or alternate address, please contact the Transportation Department as well as complete the Bus Stop Change Request Form. Normal processing for a stop change is
approximately 2 weeks. Additional processing time is to be expected during
the start of the school year due to the high volume of requests. Plan on
providing a brief explanation for why you are requesting a stop change as your request will be checked against safety guidelines and the Transportation Department Service Standards.
What happens if my scholar misses the bus?
If your scholar misses the bus in the morning, the parent or guardian can find the next available stop in close proximity. The parent/guardian can bring the scholar to school.
What happens if no one is at the stop to retrieve the scholar?
If no one is at the stop to retrieve the scholar under second grade, parents/guardians will be notified and can retrieve the scholar at the last bus stop designated for that assigned route or may retrieve the scholar from the “Crayon Club” and fees will incur. Visit http://crayonclub.org/ for more information.
If the scholar is above second grade, the driver will still discharge the scholar at the stop. If parents then fail to retrieve the scholar from the “Crayon Club,” the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, Houston Police Department, and The Department of Social Services will be notified.
Can I get on the bus and ask the driver a question?
No, you the parent/guardian may not get on the bus at any time. Texas law
prohibits parents or any non-riders from entering the school bus. Violation of this law is considered a misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $500 in addition to an automatic indefinite loss of your scholars’ transportation services.
Who do I contact if the bus is running late?
The Transportation Department will use the school alert system (Remind 101) to notify parents of any route delays that may occur due to traffic, weather, construction, and other circumstances. Please make sure that all contact information is current.
Additionally, we will post information about delayed routes
on the school website under the transportation link and you may also contact transportation @ 281.458.6042.
What happens to items left on the bus?
Articles that are left on the bus will remain on the bus for the scholar to retrieve the next day. If the scholar has not retrieved the item it will then be turned in to the Transportation Department.
Lunches that are found in the morning will be returned to the school as soon as possible. If parents/guardians wish to pick up an item at the Transportation Department, they may do so during normal business
hours. However, the Transportation Department does not maintain a “Lost and Found”.
What if I have a compliant?
To report a complaint please contact the Transportation Department. You will need to have the following information:
• Bus Route, Date, Time of the Incident
• Explanation of the Incident
If you would like a response to the investigation, please be sure to leave your name and contact information.
Transportation Department
Administration Building – Main Office
13334 Wallisville Road
Houston, TX 77049
281-458-4334
Brandon Miller, Transportation Operational Director
Jerry Appletoft,
Bus Driver
Diana Esquivel, Bus Driver
Gwendolyn Sloan, Transportation Manager
Monica Curtis,
Bus Driver
Shanikqua Hawkins-Shelvin, Bus Driver
Natalie Manning, District Administrative Assistant
David Ferguson,
Bus Driver
Shanya Montgomery, Bus Driver
Tamika Williams, Bus Driver
ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING
13334 Wallisville Rd.
Houston, TX 77049
(281) 458-4334
information@rhodesschool.org
CAMPUS LOCATION
13334 Wallisville Rd.
Houston, TX 77049
(281) 459-9797
Charles Russell, M. Ed, President
Kenitra Bennett-Edwards, M. Ed., Member
Michelle Harris, M. Ed, Member
Chrishelle Palay, Member
Derrick Sherrard, Member
CONNECT WITH RSPA!