Parent/guardian guidance

Before the student rides a bus for the first time, the parent/guardian of a prekindergarten or early childhood special education student must identify the student’s correct bus route and bus stop with the student’s teacher and school.
For safety, students attending prekindergarten programs (Virginia Preschool Initiative and Title I) must carry the red backpack to and from school daily (no exceptions).
Avoid last-minute changes in your student’s bus routine (bus route/stop), such as different buses in the morning vs. the afternoon or variation on different days of the week.
The safety and well-being of students and staff are top priorities of Chesterfield County Public Schools. It is the responsibility of the school and parent/guardian to review bus conduct rules with their student and inform other authorized student caregivers about transportation policies before the school year starts.
Riding the bus to and from school is a privilege for students and a convenience for families. Violations of these rules are taken seriously and may result in the suspension of transportation services.

Bus stop supervision

“Bus stop” means the location on the road where the bus stops for students to board in the morning and unload in the afternoon. The bus is considered an extension of the classroom.
Prekindergarten or early childhood special education students may not, under any circumstances, wait at the bus stop without a parent/guardian or authorized individual. An authorized individual is a person whose name is listed on the student’s transportation plan and who presents a symbol/number identifier tag.
Students will not be released to anyone who is not listed on the student’s transportation form.
Parents/guardians must have the symbol/number identifier with them at the stop to pick up the student.
In emergencies, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to contact the school office to provide information about the emergency in relation to the prekindergarten or early childhood special education student. (Check with your school about emergency procedures.) The parent/guardian must provide the name of the individual who will pick up the student from school or meet the student at the bus stop. They must present a valid photo ID. An updated emergency card may be required.
Switching bus stops is prohibited.
Bus drivers cannot always guarantee an exact arrival time. The parent/guardian or authorized individual responsible for placing the student on the bus in the morning and meeting the bus in the afternoon is strongly encouraged to use the My Stop app to note arrival time. Parents should arrive five minutes before the bus arrives.
Students who are not met at the bus stop by an authorized individual as indicated in the transportation plan will be returned to the school where their prekindergarten or early childhood special education class. Their parent/guardian will be contacted to pick up the student from school.
Students must be met by a parent/guardian or authorized individual within 30 minutes of the bus’s return to the school where their prekindergarten or early childhood special education class is located. School will notify persons listed on the emergency contact card.
Failure to meet the bus within 30 minutes of its return to the school may result in a phone call to Child Protective Services.
If you need to ask questions about bus stop supervision, call the school during office hours.

Bus and safety conduct

Students must sit at the front of the bus at all times once they have boarded.
Prekindergarten or early childhood special education students may sit with an older sibling at the front of the bus.
Parents/guardians or authorized individuals are not permitted to board the bus unless requested by the bus driver.
Students shall not throw any objects.
Disruptive behavior will not be permitted. Examples that may result in permanent loss of bus riding privileges include, but are not limited to, hitting, kicking, spitting, yelling, cursing and failure to remain seated.
Pets, other animals, insects, medications and open containers of food and drink are not permitted on the bus.
Students who are ill (vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, etc.) at dismissal or on the bus before the bus departs will not be allowed to ride the bus.
Soiled clothing cannot be transported on the school bus and must be picked up from school within 24 hours. Students who soil their clothing at the time of dismissal may not ride the bus and will have to be picked up by a parent/guardian or authorized individual.

Parent Handbook 2025-26

Overview

Helpful information

General information

Attendance

Dress code

Emergency closings

Emergency contact information

Environmental questions

Extracurricular activities

Fees

Homeless students

Parent input

Phone and email messages

Phones and personal devices

Photographs and video

School libraries

Sexual harassment and assault

Student calendars and school time

Student conduct

StudentVUE and ParentVUE

Health

AEDs

Albuterol

Chronic health conditions

Concussions

Eating disorders

Epinephrine auto-injectors

Hand sanitizer

Health screenings

Healthy habits

Help prevent illness

HPV vaccine

Life-threatening allergies

Medicine

MRSA

Naloxone

Opioids

Optional (for purchase) student insurance

Other food

Outdoor recess guidelines

Pests

School clinics

Scoliosis

Sunscreen

Tobacco and vaping

Wellness policy

When your child is ill

Learning

Academy 360

Adult Continuing Education

Anytime, anywhere learning

Applying for prekindergarten

Chesterfield Recovery Academy

CCPSOnline

GED preparation

Gifted education

Kindergarten registration

Homeschooling

Local testing

Night School

PACE

Promotion, retention and remediation

State testing

Summer programs and SOL/SAT/ACT/W!se academies

Testing dates

Services, safety and support

Anti-bullying initiative

Getting help for students

Internet safety

Mental health

Opt-out form

Safe schools

School counseling

School meals

School visitors

Solving problems

Special dietary needs

Special education and 504 plans

Suspected child abuse