K-5 Half-Day Bus Routes
What You Need to Know About Half-Day Pickups
On half-day schedules, kindergarten through fifth grade students are dismissed at noon from the lower school. Your child stays on the same bus number, but afternoon pickup happens much earlier than on regular school days.
Morning Arrivals Stay the Same
Morning pickups stay on their normal schedule, with students arriving at 8:30 am (intermediate school) and 8:40 am (lower school).
Afternoon is Much Earlier
Afternoon pickups typically occur between 12:20 pm and 1:04 pm, depending on your child's bus route. The key difference is timing, not the bus itself.
Parent Must Be Present
A parent or authorized guardian must be at the bus door to pick up the student. Otherwise, they are brought to aftercare ($40 drop-in fee).
Finding Your Child's Half-Day Schedule
Your student rides the same bus number on half days as on regular school days. Below you'll find morning and afternoon schedules for all K-5 half-day routes (Buses 3-22).
Morning arrivals stay the same: 8:30 am at the intermediate school and 8:40 am at the lower school.
Afternoon times vary significantly by route. Some buses depart as early as 12:15 pm, others as late as 1:15 pm. Review your specific bus times carefully and arrive a few minutes early.
How to Use the Route Finder
- Search by bus number or location name
- Click any bus to expand and see all stops
- Click the map link next to any stop to see the exact location on Google Maps
Key Differences on Half Days
Morning arrivals do not change. Students should still be at their bus stop at least ten minutes before their scheduled morning pickup time.
Afternoon dismissal moves up significantly. For example, a bus that normally picks students up at 3:30 pm on a full day may depart at 12:30 pm on a half day. Some buses consolidate their routes on half days, and pickup times can vary more widely depending on traffic.
A parent or authorized guardian must be at the bus door to pick up your student when the bus arrives. Students whose parents don't arrive by the scheduled time will be taken to aftercare, and a $40 drop-in fee will apply per occurrence.
Requesting a Route or Stop Change
To change your child's bus stop or transportation option on half days, submit a written request to transportation@odyssey.k12.de.us at least 72 hours before you need the change.
In your request, include your child's full name, grade, current bus number, and the specific bus stop where they should be picked up or dropped off.
All requests are reviewed based on available capacity on the requested bus. The transportation team will contact you if they have questions or if your preferred stop is full. Changes are approved and communicated by October 15th each year.
Ready to Track Your Bus?
Use the WhereTheBus app to see exactly where your child's bus is in real time, including estimated arrival and alerts when the bus is approaching your stop.
If you encounter issues with the app, contact WhereTheBus support directly at support@wherethebus.com.
Bus Safety and Conduct Rules
The same safety and conduct rules apply on half days as on regular school days. Your child's bus driver has the authority of a classroom teacher and is responsible for all students on the bus.
Half-Day Schedule Questions?
Need clarification on your child's half-day bus schedule or timing? Reach out to the transportation office during business hours: