OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Over the years, stories have circulated about children getting lost due to boarding the wrong school bus or parents being unaware of their child’s whereabouts due to late buses.
This school year, Osceola County Schools are addressing these concerns with the adoption of the latest technology— a new app designed to keep track of students on the school bus.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
The new system, called the MyReaXiumApp, provides parents with real-time notifications when their children board and exit the bus.
Students are required to scan their ID cards when getting on and off the bus, allowing the app to monitor their location.
One parent, Lily Turner, expressed relief about the new system. “As a parent, my kid is little, but she does have to ride the bus. I think it makes me feel better to see the notifications, like, good, my kid got on the bus!”
[VIDEO: Everything you need to know about Florida’s back-to-school tax holiday]
Orville Watson, Osceola County School Transportation Coordinator, is helping make sure the system works. He explained that even younger children who may have trouble with their ID cards have accommodations to assist in scanning.
According to the ReaXium website, the RFID-enabled system provides accountability by showing every student boarding or exiting the bus, along with real-time bus locations accessible through the app.
Marie Biele shared her perspective on the latest technology’s importance, telling News 6, " I think it’s very important, especially these days, absolutely."
Parents will receive interactive onboarding materials from ReaXium, with ongoing live demonstrations and feedback sessions to ensure smooth adoption of the new system.
This advancement marks a significant step forward in student safety and communication between schools and families in Osceola County.
The MyReaXiumApp is available to download for free via the Apple App Store and Google Play.