News & Events

From Alaska’s News Source / By Alana Belle Tirado / Aug. 13, 2025

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The Anchorage School District (ASD), AK is launching a new app named Stopfinder. The app, which is free to use, is targeted towards parents with children who ride the school bus.

Heather Philp, Senior Director of Transportation for ASD, said the app allows parents to see the bus schedule of their children, as well as live location updates when available, useful in case of a traffic delay or mechanical issue.

“[Parents] can see what time the bus is supposed to be there, what bus number it is, and the students name,” Philp said. “Any changes that may come up during the school year or with Special Ed, they can see those changes on the app at the time changes are made, so it’s much more informative for a parent.”

Stopfinder also includes a feature called “geocoding.” With this feature, parents can navigate to the map on the app and set up a “geofence” around their house and child’s school. Should the bus enter or leave these geofences, the app will notify the parent, allowing them to know when their child has arrived or left school.

With the return of school buses to Alaska roads, Philp reminded motorists to remain cognizant of pedestrians, especially children, and for students to look both ways before crossing roads.

“Be careful for any traffic going by. Make sure that if you are crossing that you also are looking,” Philp said.

Additionally, she listed the five basic rules students should follow while riding the bus. “Stay in your seat. No eating. No drinking. Listen to the driver. Classroom voices.”