Greetings to all Parents and Guardians of students in the Windber Area School District!
The purpose of this letter is to provide information regarding the updates to transportation routes and times for the upcoming school year. Letters were sent out to families of students attending Windber Area Elementary School, as well as students who will be transitioning to Grade 6 at Windber Area Middle School, with transportation information to begin the school year. Letters were not sent to families of students in Grades 7-12. Parents/guardians of these students are asked to contact the HS/MS Office at the information provided at the close of this letter if you would have any questions or desire additional information.
In planning for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, the WASD has worked in close consultation with our contracted transportation provider, Miller Motor Company, to update our transportation routes to provide for the safest and most effective/efficient routes for students across the WASD. We have also updated our transportation tracking and organizational system and will be utilizing the Transfinder School Bus Routing Software. We believe that all planned changes to begin the school year are much-needed updates and upgrades to best serve our students and families.
With changes to any system, there can always be a break from traditions and past practices. We would ask all of our parents and guardians to please plan to be flexible with tentative times that are prepared to begin the school year. It will take several school days to work out finalized times, as it takes several days of pick-ups and drop-offs to get a true determination of “real world” timing. Please plan for a window of 10 minutes early and/or later arrival of the buses during the first several days of school. WASD Transportation Staff will be monitoring these times on a daily basis and working with Miller Motor Company to ensure that times become more permanent after the first several days of school. Your patience and cooperation would be greatly appreciated during this time!
Lastly, as we approach the start of school next week on Thursday, August 24, 2023, we would ask for your assistance with the following:
- If you received a letter from the WASD regarding transportation, please review this letter and contact the appropriate member of the Transportation Staff, as listed below, with any questions.
- If you have moved to a different address over the summer or are new to the WASD, please contact the appropriate member of the Transportation Staff, as listed below, to ensure accurate student bussing information.
- If you have a student entering the K4 program or if you have a student entering the K5 program who did not attend last school year, please stop and review transportation information with our staff at the K4 and K5 orientation program that will be held on Thursday, August 17 at the Windber Area Elementary School.
- If you are a parent or guardian of a student in Grades 7-12 and would have any questions regarding bus stops and/or times, please contact the appropriate member of the Transportation Staff.
Windber Area School District Transportation Staff Contact Information:
Windber Area Elementary School (K4-Grade 5)
Mrs. Jenni Manotti, Elementary Transportation Assistant
814-467-4567, extension 102
Windber Area HS and MS (Grades 6-12)
Mrs. Jen Strayer, HS/MS Transportation Assistant
814-467-4567, extension 302
WASD Director of Transportation-Mr. Glenn Gaye
Contact Mrs. Lynn Moore, WASD Transportation Assistant
814-467-4567, extension 806