First bus ride on their own.

Walk it together first.

Before the first solo morning, walk to the stop together and talk through the plan: where to wait, what to do if the bus is late, and who to tell at school if something feels off.

Why bus apps sometimes go quiet.

Many district bus apps follow the GPS unit in the bus assigned to a route. When a different bus runs that route, the app can lose it. A device your child carries goes with them, whichever bus shows up.

Save the places that matter.

Save the stop and the school as Places in Navioa to get arrival and departure alerts. In the afternoon, seeing how recently the location updated helps you decide when to head out — not too early, not too late.

Honest limits.

Bus apps and trackers can both lag. A location is a reported position, not confirmation that your child is safe. Agree a plan with the school or driver for missed buses.