The Apache Junction Unified School District will begin running late buses on Monday, Aug. 16, for students participating in sports or extracurricular activities.

“We decided to put these routes together because we want our students to connect with their campuses in ways other than academics,” Chad Cantrell, executive director of educational services for AJUSD, said in a release.

“Whether students find a club, sports, or other activities they love, we want them involved. Involvement in activities lets students pursue their passions and have fun activities while at school. We are hoping this bus route will encourage participation after a tough year and half of separation and allow students the opportunity to be kids together again,” he said.

The late buses will run two days a week. Students at Cactus Canyon Junior High School and Apache Junction High School will share a bus that runs at 4:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Each elementary school will have a separate bus running Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The buses for Desert Vista Elementary and Peralta Trail Elementary will leave at 4:05 p.m. and the bus from Four Peaks Elementary will leave at 4:50 p.m.

The buses will drop students off at their assigned bus stop. Students within walking distance of their respective schools will not be eligible to use the buses.