Transportation
Expectations
Newtown Bus Routes
The 2022-23 school bus routes for the Newtown Public/Private Schools are listed under the school that the students will be attending. Residents are asked to share issues or concerns with their child’s bus stop location by calling All-Star Transportation at 203-304-9778. Parents of kindergarten students attending Newtown Public Elementary Schools should check their school and district websites for information about early dismissal days (for example: conferences and early release days). The primary website is www.newtown.k12.ct.us
The bus schedules are subject to revision due to enrollment changes such as transfers, address changes, or additional registrations. Any changes or additions will be posted to the school district’s website and residents are encouraged to check the website, www.newtown.k12.ct.us, often.
The time printed with each bus route is the approximate time the bus will make its first pickup in the morning. Adjustments will be made as necessary and as soon as possible. Please do not worry if a bus is late. It generally takes a few days for kindergarten children and new students to become accustomed to the bus routes and schedules.
Students should be at the appropriate stops 10 minutes before the time listed on the bus route. The stop times can vary 10 minutes either way, depending on traffic, weather, and the number of students riding the bus.
Henry Abbott Technical School
In the morning, Henry Abbott Tech Students will ride shuttle routes to Newtown Middle School where they transfer onto Bus 40 to Henry Abbott Tech. Bus 40 will depart NMS approximately 6:40am. Please call All-Star at 203- 304-9778 with questions. In the afternoon, Henry Abbott Tech Students ride home direct from HAT on Buses 40 & 39 to Newtown High (39) and Middle Schools (40) to ride buses home. Drop-offs at locations other than home require approval. Please call All-Star at 203-304-9778 with questions. For weather-related delayed openings, buses and times will follow Newtown’s schedule, regardless if Abbott Tech opens on time. If Newtown closes due to inclement weather, NO bus service is available for this school.
Shepaug High School
In the morning, students will ride shuttle routes to Newtown Middle School where they transfer onto Bus 51 to Shepaug HS at 6:40 am. In the afternoons, Bus 51 will pick up students at Shepaug, return them to town and drop them home. For weather-related delayed openings, buses and times will follow Newtown’s schedule, regardless if Shepaug opens on time. If Newtown closes due to inclement weather, NO bus service is available.
Danbury Magnet School
In the morning, Danbury Magnet Students should meet at either the front of Reed School or at the Exit 9 Commuter Lot. Bus 35 will depart Reed approximately 7:55 am and should arrive at Exit 9 Commuter Lot for 8:05 AM. In the afternoon they will be picked up by Bus 35 and returned to town, first at the Exit 9 Commuter lot (3:50 PM), then at the front of Reed school (4:05 PM). For weather-related delayed openings, buses and times will follow Newtown’s schedule, regardless if Danbury opens on time. If Newtown closes due to inclement weather, NO bus service is available.
Frasier Woods & Housatonic Valley Schools
Parents must contact All-Star Transportation directly at 203-304-9778 to arrange transportation.
Important Information from All Star Transportation
In order to maintain the pickup times listed below, Newtown Public Schools requests that students be at their bus stop 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time.
- Kids should stand 10 to 15 feet away from the road while waiting for the bus.
- Wait for the bus to stop completely and the doors to open before getting close.
- Children should never chase the bus if it starts moving; the driver might not see them.
- If crossing in front of the bus, wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe and cross at least 10 feet ahead of the bus to ensure the driver can see them.
- If something is dropped in front of the bus, children should get the driver’s attention and permission before picking it up.
Bus Drop-Off Procedure/Waiver
Students in kindergarten through fourth grade must be met at the bus stop by a parent or known adult, or older sibling. If no parent or known adult, or older sibling is at the bus stop, children will be transported back to their home schools. If a student must be returned to a school, the following policy is in place: Reed students will be returned to Reed School. Elementary students will be returned to their elementary school. If siblings being returned are from both Reed and an elementary school, both students will be returned to the elementary school together.
If a family chooses, a waiver may be signed allowing its first through fourth grade children to disembark from the bus even if no adult is there to meet the children. No waivers for Kindergarten students will be accepted. Please check your child’s school webpage for the complete procedure and download the waiver. If you have any questions regarding the transportation schedule, please e-mail alan.colangelo@allstartransportation.com or call All-Star Transportation at 203-304-9778. For Drop-Off Waivers, please see your child’s school webpage for complete information regarding afternoon dropoff procedures.
Bus Waivers/Stop Change Forms
Each school has sent these forms to parents with a request to complete and return them as soon as possible to the school their child will be attending (elementary schools only).
- These apply only to students in grades 1–4.
- No waiver will be accepted for kindergarten students to exit the bus unattended.
- This waiver allows the bus to release a student if no adult is visibly present at the stop. Bus drivers will only release students if they can clearly see an adult, not just a car parked nearby.
Stop Change Form
If any family has moved or a student will be getting on/off at a stop different from the home address on a daily basis, this form must be completed. A stop change form is not intended to specify where someone wants a stop; it is solely for notification that their child will not get on/off the regularly scheduled stop, but rather at another regularly scheduled stop.
Bus Stop Expectations
Students should be at the bus stop 10 minutes before the bus arrives due to variable factors like road conditions and weather. They should be ready to board when the bus arrives, not waiting inside their house or car. The bus is an extension of the classroom, and appropriate behavior is expected. Parents should discuss these behavior expectations with their children to ensure a safe and smooth ride. Students should only cross in front of the bus with a visible signal from the driver and never run alongside or behind the bus. If something is dropped, students should alert the driver instead of running towards the bus due to blind spots.
Bus Conduct Expectations
Don’t Lose Your Riding Privilege! Follow These Expectations
- Demonstrate Respectful Conduct As In The Classroom.
- Be Courteous, Kind, Do Not Use Profanity.
- Refrain From Eating Or Drinking On The Bus.
- Keep The Bus Clean.
- Cooperate With The Driver.
- Do Not Smoke (This Includes Electronic Cigarettes/Vaping).
- Be Respectful Of Equipment & Others’ Belongings.
- Remain Seated Until Bus Is Stopped Completely At Student’s Bus Stop.
- Keep Head, Hands, Feet Inside Bus.
- Bus Driver Is Authorized To Assign Seats.
NOTE: Reed and Elementary buses, grade level seating is enforced with youngest grades at the front of the bus and Reed students at the rear of the bus.
