How to Sign Up for the bus at Texas Empowerment
- Parents are required to complete the bus transportation sign-up process. To sign up, fill out this form. Space is limited and bus assignments will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- If you’ve been approved, our transportation team will email confirmation that the student can ride the bus. Students will only be permitted to ride the bus AFTER you’ve received this confirmation.
- To be eligible, students must need bus transportation a minimum of 3 times a week.
Bus Routes
- Central Austin – Panther 1
- Elgin – Panther 3
- Round Rock / Hutto – Panther 4
- Barbara Jordan / Northgate – Panther 6
Switching buses to be transported to another location will not be permitted.
Bus Rider Rules
- The privilege of riding a school bus carries expectations and responsibilities. Students and parents must be respectful of the bus driver at all times.
- No Eating.
- Riders must use headphones with any device that makes noise or plays music. Noise from electronic devices is a distraction to the driver and, therefore, a safety hazard.
- Riders must face forward in their seats.
- Riders must keep their hands, feet, and other objects to themselves.
- The driver will assign students a seat on the bus. Students must always sit in their assigned seats, per state law.
- Parents are not allowed on the school bus at any time. If a parent needs to speak with the driver, please walk to the driver-side window.
- The school bus is an extension of the academic classroom. The same dress and behavior codes at Texas Empowerment Academy are in effect on the bus.
- Disciplinary issues will be documented and investigated. Video footage will be pulled from the buses as needed.
- FirstStudent is not responsible for any student belongings left on the bus.
- Please comply with bus rules and policies to ensure your student’s ability to ride the bus.
Communication
We use the FirstView ParentView App by First Student for all bus transportation alerts and updates. Click here for more information on the app.
To Download the FirstView ParentView App Click here or find FirstView in the App Store or Google Play. Follow the instructions to download the app to your smartphone and create an account.
Bad Weather
Texas Empowerment will follow AISD for any school delays and or closures.
Morning Drop-Off
All TXEA bus stops are scheduled for early pickups, allowing for travel time, traffic, and arrival at the TXEA campus by 8:30 AM.
Bus Route Supervision & Wait Time
- Parents must remain with their children until the bus arrives.
- TXEA will not be responsible for unattended children at bus stops
- There is a one-minute grace period at each scheduled bus stop.
Pre-K through 4th Grade Bus Riders
Pre-K 4 students MUST be received by an adult or older sibling using a placard. Texas Empowerment will distribute placards. If you don’t have your placard, you can present your Photo ID instead, and the bus driver will contact dispatch to confirm that the student is permitted to ride.
Student Rosters
- Each bus has a student roster that is updated regularly.
- All PM students will be placed on the PM bus route unless otherwise noted through email or written notification dated and signed by a legal guardian by 2 pm on the day of travel.
Video Monitoring
All buses have video monitoring. Video footage will be pulled from the buses as needed.
About First Student
First Student is North America’s leading student transportation provider and a one-stop, award-winning shop for all of your transportation needs. Click here to learn more about First Student.