Elsah Bus Chaperone

Title: Illinois Bus Chaperone 

Department/Location: Illinois Bus, Elsah and St. Louis 

Position Type: Part-time, 39-week (not eligible for benefits). Hours are 6:30 a.m. (departing College flagpole) – 8:10 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. (departing St. Louis campus) to 5:00 p.m. 

Pay: $25/hour 

Organizational Relationship: Reports to the Lower School Administrative Assistant for policies, purchases, and administrative tasks; to Level Principals, PreK-12th grade, for student conduct and disciplinary matters; and has regular communication with the bus driver and School Billing Office. 

Summary 

Principia is looking for an Illinois Bus Chaperone to supervise and care for students from Pre-K through 12th grade during daily bus transportation between Elsah and St. Louis. In this role, you will play a vital role in ensuring students’ safety, maintaining a harmonious bus environment, and communicating with families and staff. 

Who We Are  

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.  

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning. 

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued. 

Primary Responsibilities 

• Provide prayerful metaphysical support for the bus ride each day.
• Maintain a clean, safe and orderly atmosphere on the bus, including assisting with cleanup as needed.
• Monitor and manage student behavior to maintain a respectful and quiet environment for the driver.
• Create seat assignments and rotate them as needed.
• Maintain an accurate, up-to-date list of parent contact information.
• Record daily attendance and track occasional riders; submit billing reports to the Accounting Office.
• Communicate clearly and regularly with bus families regarding changes to students’ schedules.
• Manage bus supplies (i.e. markers, tissues, trash can) and the bus cell phone for location tracking (Glympse app).
• Provide occasional activities for the students.
• Stay current on transportation-related safety regulations (state and Principia policies)

Core Competencies 

• Positivity: Optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. Faculty and staff are invited to understand teammates’ strengths and how they can complement each other.
• Team Player: Ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior leaders is critical, with an ability to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively and professionally with candidates and staff at all levels and build strong relationships
• Communication: Provides regular, consistent, and meaningful information. Listens carefully to others and ensures message is understood. Ensures important matters are shared with all appropriate parties. Communicates in a clear and concise manner. Tailors communication style to needs of the recipient.
• Customer Service: Responds promptly and professionally to customer needs
• Dependability: Works within deadlines and under occasional heavy workloads

Minimum Qualifications 

• Student of Christian Science preferred
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience preferred
• Experience working with children, preferably in an educational or group setting
• Ability to maintain group order and model Principia’s character expectation
• Proficient with Google and Microsoft software

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.  

Equal Opportunity  

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.  

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.