Let’s be honest—getting kids to school isn’t just about wheels on pavement. It’s about starting every student’s day with a sense of safety, community, and belonging.
At Rockford Public Schools, we know the school bus is more than a yellow box on wheels. It’s the first “hello” of the morning. The rolling welcome mat. The calm in the chaos.
This year, we’re excited to launch Meet Your Bus Driver Dry Runs, a new initiative designed to connect families with the drivers who help kick off each student’s school day.
From August 8the through the 13th, our bus drivers will be running practice routes across the district. Families are encouraged to head out to their child’s bus stop at either the scheduled pickup or drop off times to wave, say hi, ask questions, and even swap a bus story or two. Families should receive an email by the end of the week to let them know their student's route schedule and stop locations.
Why are we doing this? Because those early connections matter. For some students, their driver might be the first friendly face they see. We want every child to step on the bus feeling safe, seen, and ready to learn.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Transportation Department at 815-966-3700 or email bus@rps205.com
Let’s make this year’s journey a good one—starting with a smile and a hello at the bus stop.