Busing Information

Brant Christian Ride- A- Long Form
2026-27 Brant Christian School Busing Registration Form

Brant Transportation Policy

BCSS currently contracts Palliser School Division to provide bus service to the school for families living in the Foothills area.

Due to the large geographic location which BCS draws students from, centralized bus stops are utilized to minimize both time and cost to parents. This means, that to access bus services, parents may be required to drive their children to a central stop at any given time.

Parents can request access to busing for their children, but it is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. If your preferred bus is full, the option of utilizing a less full bus may be an option or you may be put on a waitlist. Priority will be given to families utilizing the bus service on a full-time basis.

Ridership

Any BCS student accessing the bus during the school year for any reason (aside from field trips) must have a completed Bus Ridership Form prior to riding the bus. This includes accessing bus service for sports practices, occasional rides with friends, or other reasons. This helps us know who is riding the bus and allows Palliser School Division to have your contact information in case of an emergency. Cut off for bus registration of existing students is September 30.

Parents, children, or siblings not registered at the school cannot ride the bus due to insurance reasons.

Prior to the beginning of the school year, parents will be informed of the central pick-up and drop-off times for the stop their children have been assigned to. To minimize confusion for the driver, it is expected that your student will use their assigned stop unless otherwise approved by the school office or Board Transportation Representative. To request a permanent change to your child’s assigned stop please fill out the Stop Change Request Form. Students are expected to ride on their assigned bus unless otherwise communicated and approved by the school.

Bus Routes and Stop Locations

When planning regular school bus routes student safety, ride times, and efficiency are all factors that are considered.

Routes and stop locations are determined by the BCS Board Transportation Representative and buses will not deviate from main routes or stops.

Optional Bus Services

Dual Ridership

This option is for parents that wish to have their student registered on a second bus route
to be used on a regular ongoing basis (i.e. second residence, childcare, after school activities,
work, etc.) This service will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and only if there
is room on the bus. New stops will not be created for this service and a schedule must be
provided ahead of time. If there is no schedule, then Ride-Along service may be an option.

Ride-A-Long Service

Ride-Along service can be requested by the parent or guardian of a student to temporarily
ride a bus they are not registered on (i.e. going to a friend’s, sibling unable to drive, etc.).
This service will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and is dependent on if there
is room on the bus. This service is only to existing stops. Requests can be made by
completing a Ride-Along Request Form and must be received at least 48 hours in advance.
For AM changes after the weekend, submit the form before the end of the previous school
day (e.g., for Monday morning, submit on Thursday or Friday) so that the school can inform
the bus driver. Students must be registered riders to use the bus; unregistered students
cannot ride. The request must be approved by the school before the student can use this
service.

Items Allowed to Transport

Students may only carry those items which can be held safely on their laps. The items must
not stick up above the seat and must not be wider than 33 cm x 33 cm x 59 cm
(13”x13”x23”) so as not to intrude in another student’s space or stick out into the aisle.
Items allowed on the school bus must be held on the student’s lap at all times.

Communication

If your child is going to be absent in the morning this should be communicated to your bus
driver at the number they provide or to Palliser Dispatch at 403-380-2612. If they will be
absent in the afternoon this must be communicated to the school office.

Bus delays or cancellations will be communicated to parents via text or phone calls.

Inclement Weather

Decisions regarding inclement weather will be made by Palliser School Division prior to 6:00 AM

Concerns

Any concerns or questions regarding bus policies, bus routes, or drivers should be directed
in writing to the BCS Board Transportation Representative. Concerns regarding student
behaviour on the bus should be directed in writing to the school principal.

Student Conduct

At the beginning of the year bus drivers will establish and communicate the rules for their bus to the students. It is expected that the students will follow these rules.

General expectations are as follows:

1. Students must not stand or leave their seats while the bus is in motion.
2. All parts of the student’s body must be kept inside the bus at all times.
3. Students should behave in a classroom-like manner. No loud-talking, shouting, foul language or rough-housing will be allowed on the bus.
4. Eating or drinking is only allowed on the bus at the discretion of the bus driver. Garbage must be placed in a garbage can or taken home to be disposed of.
5. Students must obey all directions from the driver and/or adult in charge.
6. Emergency exits and equipment must not be touched unless they are needed.
7. Students exiting the bus must cross only in front of the bus and attempt only when it is safe to do so, and under the guidance of the driver.
8. Students must not cause damage to any part of the bus, including seats. Parents will be required to pay for willful damage caused by their children.
9. Alternate arrangements for transportation will be the responsibility of the parents of students who repeatedly disregard the established rules of the bus.

Electronics on the bus

Electronic games, iPads, iPods, cell phones and various digital devices MAY be used on the bus, but only with the understanding that they are used to do school work or engage in activities that model good Christian character.

Parents are responsible for monitoring their children’s electronic devices and what is on them.

Do not send games, let kids watch or listen to materials that might be offensive, crude, containing violence, swearing or any ungodly material. Please ensure that your child(ren) keep(s) any devices containing such content at home.

Any lost or damaged electronic devices will be the responsibility of the owner of the device. The use of portable speakers is not permitted on the bus.

Please encourage students to talk about and/or report both positive and negative things that are happening on the bus with you as their parents, their teachers, and/or the principal for the safety and well-being of all students.