Yes! Smart Tag as a Parent Portal which is activated using the email address we have on file for you. Visit https://parent.smart-tag.net/%40norththurston and click REGISTER to set a password. You'll be able to adjust notification settings and see your student's bus riding history. You cannot track the location of the bus through this system.

If a replacement card is needed, parents may request one by notifying the bus driver, transportation, filling out this web form, or by contacting their student's school office staff.

No, bus passes are no longer accepted effective Sept 2020. Students need to load and unload at their assigned bus stops.

Yes, guardians will be able to view a student’s ridership activity for the entire school year through the Parent Portal. Activate your account with the email address we have on file at https://parent.smart-tag.net/%40norththurston. If a guardian wants to review the daily history, it will take a minute from loading/unloading the bus for SMART tag to update its records due to network connectivity. Be aware it may take longer if there is a poor signal or the network provider is experiencing a delay/latency issue out of the school district’s control. 

Tags only have a 14-digit code which represents the student information in the system. The badge only registers when a student gets on and off the bus and cannot be read/tracked anywhere else or read/tracked by any other product or method.

The driver will be able to manually override the information and add the student to the ridership roster from the student's badge. Therefore, the student will only need one badge. Parents please contact the school directly for regular changes (multiple households).

Yes! For safety and security (and more more efficient loading & unloading), Smart Tag ID badges are required for all riders.

No information is stored on a SMART tag ID badge.

The bus driver will be able to view the student’s picture, name, ID number, seat number, school, grade, bus stop, and critical medical information.  

Your school may use the ID badge for food service, the library, field trips, and more.

If a student does not have their ID Badge, the driver must personally log them in. This is more time-consuming and can delay a route causing late buses down the line. Students without their badges will be loaded last so as not to hold up the loading process.

The students without a badge will load last.

Elementary students who have received 3 manual loadings by the driver for not having their tag over a period of 10 days shall be counseled by the driver. An email may also be sent to parents regarding the importance of the Smart Tag. If the elementary student continues to not use their tag, parents and the school will be notified by email that they may lose their riding privileges for up to 5 days.

Middle & High School students who receive 3 manual loadings by the driver for not having their tag over a period of 10 days shall be counseled by the driver. An email may be sent to parents and the school regarding the importance of the Smart tag. If the student continues to not use the tag, bus privileges may be suspended until they comply with the Smart Tag program.

Please refer to the 2019-20 Student Handbook for additional information.

No, students are expected to maintain their Smart Tags from year to year. If a replacement is needed, notify the bus driver, the office staff at your school or the Transportation department.

No, the SMART tag system will not provide weather-related or emergency notification. Information regarding inclement weather, bus accidents and other emergency notifications will be provided by the North Thurston Public Schools administration via separate communication.