The Crookston School District has a bus app available for parents to track their children’s bus location. Once the app is downloaded, perimeters can be set by the individual using the app, and they can receive up-to-date information about where the child is instead of calling the school.
Crookston Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Olson talked about the app and the reason for it. “The app is called BusQuest, and it’s an app that we’ve had all year,” said Olson. “People can go to our website and download it if they want too, otherwise if they have any questions, they can call the school, and we can certainly help with the downloading of the app. The reason for the app is to better communicate with parents. We’ve had a lot of call-ins in the past, and especially in these frigid temperatures, it’s nice for parents to know where their kids’ bus is and if they’re on the bus.
The BusQuest app will send text notifications to the users based on the perimeters that have been established. Olson discussed some of the perimeters that can be set. “You can set your own perimeters, so if you want to get a notification when the bus is two miles away or one mile away, you can certainly do that.” Said Olson. “When the bus crosses those that perimeter, the GPS in the bus recognizes that, and it will send you a text message. I have been using it myself, and it’s been working great. It’s great for days when the bus is running late, or roads may be blocked, and alternative paths maybe need to be used.”
When the app is downloaded, a username will need to be created. Olson walked through some of the steps that will need to be taken once the app is downloaded. “Like any app, you need a username and password,” said Olson. “So, you set that up in the app, and then once you have that downloaded on your smartphone, it becomes a simple login process. Once you’ve set the perimeters and have turned the app on and created your username and password, it will text you every single day.”
The app is especially valuable for parents who do not live in town and are out in the country. On the bus drivers’ side of things, the app also gives them step-by-step instructions for the routes that they are on. If parents have any questions or need help downloading the BusQuest app, they can contact the School District at 218-281-5313 or the Bus Garage at 218-281-5444. The app can also be downloaded on the app store or google play.
For the entire conversation with Superintendent Jeremy Olson, you can tune in to KROX Saturday morning at 8:35 for the Focus on Education program. Olson also talked about the Heated Bus Garage and how thankful the district is they decided to spend the money to keep their buses warm overnight during the school year. You can listen on 105.7 FM, 1260 AM, or by clicking “Listen Live” at the top of this page.
