Fruitland Traffic Improvements Begin with Waiver Students

Tuesday, February 18th, marked the first day of an important transition for families with waiver students attending Fruitland Elementary. As part of the 2024 Capital Levy improvements, students who waiver into Fruitland board buses at the Kessler Center before being transported to school. This change is the first step in enhancing safety and alleviating congestion on Fruitland Avenue. 

With construction set to begin on a new parking lot and bus loop, the district has implemented a Temporary Transportation Plan for Waiver Students to ensure a smooth transition. This week, staff from our Capital Projects team were on-site to support our Fruitland students and families with the transition. Families can expect additional staff support at the Kessler Center, communication about bus schedules, and alternative drop-off options when needed as the project progresses. Student bus route information can be found through the My Ride K-12 app or the Home Access Center. 

This spring marks the first transition for the Fruitland site. To enhance safety and reduce traffic in the construction zone, all students who do not use a local bus stop and route will be directed to the Kessler Center for morning drop-off and pick-up. Families who currently drive their students to school will no longer be able to do so once construction begins, and they will be given two options: utilizing existing bus stop locations or using the Kessler Center as a satellite location for pick-up and drop-off. Student bus route information can be found through the My Ride K-12 app or the Home Access Center. 

Why start now? The project will take several months to complete. While we understand this may inconvenience families, we implemented this change at the end of the school year, when strong relationships with staff and peers have already been built, making the transition smoother. 

Families with questions about the temporary transportation plan can contact the Transportation Department at (253) 841-8775 or transportation@puyallupsd.org. Updates on the progress of the construction project will be shared regularly, ensuring families are informed ahead of the 2025-2026 school year.