Transportation
School Bus Safety Brochure An Equation For Safety
Transportation Concerns? Please email: transportation@somsd.k12.nj.us
Interim Transportation Coordinator
Chris Jordan
e: cjordan@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 378-9651 x8005
Kendra Wolsky
Transportation Assistant
e: kwolsky@somsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 378-9651 x8003
Eligibility
The Board of Education is required under N.J.S.A. 18A:39-1 to provide round-trip transportation between home and school for South Orange and Maplewood resident elementary students (grades K-8) who live more than 2.0 miles from their assigned school and secondary students (grades 9-12) who live more than 2.5 miles from their assigned school.
Application Process
The parent/guardian must complete the attached application each year for each student even if transportation has been provided in the past. Please note you must provide Emergency Contact information along with a phone number. Eligible students will not receive a bus pass until this form is completed and submitted to Transportation. The form is available from the School Office, the Transportation Department and the Office of Registration and on the District’s website.
Submit the completed application to:
South Orange Maplewood School District
Transportation Office
25 W. Parker Avenue
Maplewood, NJ 07040
Elementary and Middle Schools
Students in Kindergarten, 1st grade & 6th grade are assigned to attend a school based upon the Intentional Integration Initiative (III) Plan approved by the Board. Students are assigned transportation based upon Board Policy 8600.
An application form must be submitted annually for all eligible students. Occasionally, a parent/guardian may request that a student transfer to a school outside of their home area. In this case, the district may approve the parent's transfer request for school assignment but the district will not provide transportation.
A shuttle bus service is provided between South Mountain and the Annex. Kindergarten and first grade students in the South Mountain area walk to South Mountain and are shuttled to the Annex. Students in grades 2-5 have the option to walk to the Annex and ride the shuttle to South Mountain. Students expecting to ride the shuttle must also submit an application in order to reserve a seat. Students who are not zoned for South Mountain and South Mountain Annex are not eligible for shuttle bus services.
Columbia High School
The following South Orange addresses for CHS are eligible for transportation.
| Street | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Brentwood Drive | All |
| Crest Drive | House #74 & up |
| Crestwood Drive | All |
| Duffield Drive | House #76 & up |
| Glenview Road | House #76 & up |
| Great Hills Drive | All |
| Hill Drive | All |
| Hoskier Road | All |
| Longview Road | House #608 & up |
| Mountain Drive | House #608 & up |
| Woods Drive North | All |
Columbia High School students residing at these addresses who wish to use the school bus must submit a Public School Transportation Application Form each year for all eligible students.
Special Education
Classified special education students may be eligible for transportation according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Please contact the Special Services Department at 973-762-5600 for arrangements and additional information.