Meet our Staff
Director of Transportation
Xochitl Mendez
(661) 675-4480
xmendez@keppel.k12.ca.us
Dispatcher
Juana Solis
(661) 675-4480
jsolis@keppel.k12.ca.us
Fleet Mechanic
Jose Hernandez
Bilingual Clerk
Claudia Madrigal
(661) 675-4480
cmadrigal@keppel.k12.ca.us
Summer School Bus Application 24-25
Bus Routes 24-25
Flex/Minimum Day Schedule 24-25
School Bus Application 24-25
Transportation Forms
Important Links
We Are Hiring!
Safety Reminders
Bus Stop Safety
(While waiting at bus stop)
Arrive early - Children should arrive at their assigned bus stop 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
Stay off the Roadway - Remind children to stay away from the road. A bus stop is not a place to run or play.
Be courteous - Remind children that their assigned bus stop could be someone’s home. Do not destroy or play in private property.
Loading the bus
Be Patient - Children should wait until the bus comes to a complete stop to load the bus. Wait until the door opens, and the driver signals that it is okay to approach the bus.
No pushing or running to enter the bus.
Use Handrails - Children should use the handrails to avoid falling, especially in wet or snowy weather.
Unloading the bus
Wait for the Bus Driver to Escort - When the children need to cross the street, please wait patiently for the driver to escort them across the street safely. Never run in front of the bus!
Stay away from Blind areas - Children should avoid walking behind and at least 12 feet around the school bus.
Stay Visible - If the child drops something near the school bus, they should alert the driver rather than try to retrieve it themselves as the driver might lose sight of them.
Stay Alert - All vehicles are required to stop for a school bus when the red lights are activated and the stop sign is deployed (while loading/unloading) passengers, but children should stay alert for drivers not following the law.
Transportation
Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Keppel Union School District Transportation Department to provide safe, reliable and efficient student transportation. Ensure that busses are maintained for safe and reliable transportation for all eligible students to and from school as well as extracurricular activity trips.
ABOUT US
Keppel Union School District Transportation Department was created in 2019 by our Former Superintendent , Dr. Ruben Zepeda II. Since then, the department has served the transportation needs of all of our Keppel schools within our district.
The Transportation Department provides a safe and enjoyable experience to all of our students.
General Education Transportation
Transportation application
Processing Time:
**At this time bus seating is limited. Transportation applications will be processed on a first come, first serve basis.**
Once the Transportation Department receives a transportation application it can take up to 10 days to place a student on a route. Transportation will notify the parent if the student qualifies or is not eligible for transportation. We will give parents the route number, bus “color”, pickup time and the approximate drop off time.
Once we reach the bus capacity we will place students on a waiting list. Parents will be notified if they are placed on a waiting list.
Eligibility:
Students may be eligible for transportation services to-and-from school if the distance between their home and school is beyond the minimum distance listed below:
Elementary School Students (Grades K-6) 1.0 Miles
Middle School Students (Grades 7-8) 2.0 Miles
The minimum walking distance is measured by the shortest vehicular route from the student’s residence to the school.
Transportation Packet:
At the beginning of the school year, all students who submit a “Transportation Application” to ride the school bus will receive a “Transportation Packet” along with the application.
This packet covers ridership eligibility, parent/guardian and student responsibilities, school bus danger zones, student conduct and safe bus riding rules while riding the bus, bus discipline and consequences.
Please contact Transportation at (661) 675-4480 if you would like an extra copy or click on the following link for a pdf file of the packet. https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/2040/Keppel_Union/4197290/Transportation_Application_Packet_24-25.pdf
Route Changes/Route Times:
Parents/guardians should be prepared for changes in drivers, buses, routes and time of pick-up/drop off throughout the school year. We will make every attempt to make sure you are aware of route or schedule changes. We post changes on “Parent Square” and constantly update our website.
Pick up at Bus Stop:
All students should arrive at their designated bus stop five (5) minutes prior to the scheduled route time. Buses will depart at the scheduled departure time otherwise, students will arrive late to school. The time on the bus route schedule is the departure time of the bus.
If the bus is running late, please wait fifteen (15) minutes before calling Transportation for an ETA.
When the bus driver expects to arrive too early to a stop, they will pull over in a safe location before the bus stop and notify dispatch. This is to make sure it does not hold traffic waiting at the bus stop with the red lights on. The bus will not leave the bus stop early.
Once the bus has closed their service door and canceled their red lights and/or has started to pull away from the stop, it will not stop to pick up late students due to the rules and regulations of loading and unloading students.
Drop-off at Bus Stop
The drop-off times on the bus route schedule are ONLY AN ESTIMATED TIME. The time your child gets dropped off can change a few minutes from day-to-day depending on many factors, such as weather, traffic, absent students (therefore having to skip a bus stop), and waiting for parents. Please be at your child’s stop early and be patient if the bus is running behind schedule.
Students in grades 1 through 8 are not required to be met by a parent and will be released at the bus stop. Kindergarten students are required to have a parent/guardian or responsible adult at the stop. Please make sure to meet your child at the door. If your “K” student has permission to walk home with siblings please fill out a “student release form” from the transportation department.
Students that require someone to meet them at the bus will be returned to school if no one is there to receive them. Transportation will attempt to call the parent before returning the student. If this becomes a habit, the student will receive a Conduct Notice and transportation services may be suspended.
Designated Bus Stops:
Students/parents are NOT ALLOWED to change their designated bus stop for safety reasons. Designated bus stops are based on the student’s physical home address, safety and the capacity of the bus. Some bus stops have reached the safe capacity and parents are given the closest bus stop as an alternative.
Kindergarten Students:
We require a “Student Release Form” for all of our kindergarten bus riders. This form will allow parents to either 1.) Add the name of 3 additional responsible adults besides the parents that are able to pick up their Kindergarten student from the bus stop or 2.) Be self released or walk home to and from the bus stop with a sibling.
Kindergarten students will not be released from the bus unless someone meets them at their bus stop. Transportation will attempt to call the parent at the phone number listed on file. If no one answers or shows up, the student will be returned to school and issued a “Bus Ticket”. If this becomes a habit, bus services may be suspended.
Kindergarten students are required to ride in the front seats (one for the first 4 rows). This allows the driver to pay close attention to them until they learn the bus rules. Many parents want their children to sit together; however, it is necessary to keep younger students up front for their own safety. Kindergarten students have a tendency to want to crawl on the floor and under seats, so additional attention is necessary during their first year on the bus.
Behavior on the Bus
Follow Bus Driver’s Instructions – Follow the bus driver’s instructions promptly and respectfully.
Avoid Eating/Drinking - Eating and drinking is a choking hazard, please remind students to wait until they get home or school to eat.
Don’t Distract the Driver - Once on the bus, children should avoid loud talking, yelling, screaming or other distractions for the bus driver.
Remain Seated - Children should sit down facing forward. Do not walk or change seats while bus is in motion.
Sit only in Assigned Seat - For safety of our bus riders, driver will assign seats to all students. The front seats are for younger students or students that need special attention.
Keep self and belongings Inside the Bus- Children should never put their hands, arms or heads out of the window. Throwing objects out of the window is dangerous for pedestrians and other vehicles.
Keep Aisles Clear - Legs, books, backpacks or bags are tripping hazards and can block the way in case of an emergency.
Be Courteous – Keep your hands to yourself and respect all passengers. Fighting or horseplay is not allowed.
Be Kind – All passengers deserve to be treated fairly and kindly. No foul or derogatory language will be allowed.
Stay Safe –Tobacco or alcohol in any form is PROHIBITED. Possession of illegal drugs or weapons are PROHIBITED.
