What's new with Deming Public Schools busing
DEMING - The Transportation Department’s mission is to provide safe, reliable, and efficient student transportation, and to ensure that busses are maintained for safe and reliable transportation for all eligible students to and from school as well as extracurricular activity trips.
What’s new
• Student bussing information will be available a week before the 1st day of school in the Campus Parent/Student Portal!
• Students will not receive a paper copy of their bus pass this year.
• All Parents (PK-12) and students (grades 6-12) have access to view bussing information in their portal. (Refer to the illustration on page 3)
• If your student rides more than one bus and/or a shuttle, only their primary bussing information will be displayed. Contact the DPS Transportation dept. for other bussing details.
• Parents should verify that bussing information is correct in Campus Parent prior to their child boarding the bus.
• Bus drivers will use a bus roster to ensure scheduled students are riding the correct bus.
• Address changes and other demographic information can be updated via the Campus Parent Portal OR at the student's school site at least 24 hours before requesting bus transportation.
• If you do not have a Campus Parent portal account, please contact us or your child's school.
Bus registration
If your child meets the following criteria, you MUST register at the Transportation office for a bus pass. (Students must be enrolled at the school site 24 hrs. prior to making transportation arrangements):
• New kindergarten students.
• Any new students to the district.
• Current student's that are first time bus riders.
• Students with an IEP that requires special needs busing. (special needs bus request forms must be submitted. Please allow up to 5 business days for scheduling.)
COVID-safe practice on buses
• There are currently no COVID restrictions, but this is subject to change based on New Mexico Public Education Department guidelines and regulations.
Student eligibility
• New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) transportation state statue provides that students are eligible for transportation services if school bus routes are:
- One mile one way for students in grades kindergarten through 6;
- One and one-half miles one way for students in grades 7 -9;
- Two miles one way for students in grades 10-12.
• Students will not be required to walk a greater distance to the bus stop than the required walking distance for each grade level.
• All NM Pre-K students are ineligible for transportation except those with an IEP that require special needs busing. 501T's
- All students on 501T's for the previous school year must reapply for the new school year. A 501T is required if....
• Requesting transportation for a student who attends a school outside of their school of residence. If your child is attending a school other than their school of residence, transportation by our district will no longer be a service provided in the 2022-2023 school year except for students approved by the Director of Transportation. The approval process has changed and may take longer to be processed than in the previous years. Parents will be responsible to make other transportation arrangements during the waiting period and if their request is denied. With that being said, we highly encourage parents to enroll their students at their school of residence. You can contact your student’s current school to find out if they are attending their school of residence or you can check school boundaries and bus route information by visiting: www.infofinderi.com (you can also access this link on the DPS website under Transportation Dept.)
• Requesting dual bus passes for custody situations. *Parents must provide proof of court approved custody agreement to student’s school for upload*
• Requesting a pickup or drop off location outside of the student's primary address. 501T forms will be sent for renewal on the portal and will be processed on a first come first serve basis. If you need to fill out a form for the first time you will need to contact the transportation office to be sent a form. Parent & Student Roles & Responsibilities
• Parent/Student Roles & Responsibilities forms will be available to all bus riders in their portal.
• All parent and student roles & responsibilities forms must be signed and returned on the 1st week of school.
• Students must be at the bus stop ready to load 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled stop time listed on bus schedule on Infinite Campus.
Coming soon
Zonar Z Pass is a student ridership visibility software that improves the safety and efficiency of pupil transportation. With Zonar Z Pass, schools know the time, date, and location of each entry and exit from the bus for real-time child check. More information to come as implementation time approaches. Please call the Transportation Department at 575-543–1009 for more information on student transportation for your child.
This article originally appeared on Deming Headlight: What's new with Deming Public Schools busing
