• Home
• News
• Members
• Photos
• Students
• Downloads
  • Minutes
  • Meeting Schedule
• Contact
• Links
  • Department of Education
  • School & Zone Finder
  • Inside Schools
  • SI Federation of PTAs
  • NY Public Library

Whiteboard

Write upcoming events here.

NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS

JOURNALISM AWARD CONTEST STARTING NOW

You may have heard recently about CEC 31 and the SI Advance newspaper jointly sponsoring a new writing contest for public school 5th graders.  By popular demand, we are now opening this contest to ALL Staten Island elementary schools, whether they are Public / Private / Catholic /or Non-Parochial schools.

In partnership with the Staten Island Advance, Community Superintendent Erminia Claudio and Superintendent of Catholic Schools Zolita Herrera, CEC 31 is pleased to announce the creation of the Community Awareness Through Journalism Award which we hope will encourage students to read the local newspaper. 

All a 5th grade student needs to do is write a short essay (minimum of 3 paragraphs) explaining why they chose to read an Advance newspaper article, why the subject is important to their neighborhood, and give their point of view on the topic.  The written essays will be submitted to their teachers for review.
They don’t need to buy the newspaper to join in – they can read the online version at www.silive.com.  The program runs from January through the end of March, and the contest is voluntary.  Fifth grade students can write as many essays as they like, or only one – but the more essays they submit, the better their chances of winning! (Please see the CONTEST RULES below.)

Each month the S.I. Advance will publish some of the essays and at the end of March, teachers and principals in participating schools will select the top 5th grade essay from each school; the student who wrote it will receive the "Community Awareness Through Journalism Award" – a certificate to be presented before the end of the school year.  The names of the top student journalists and their essays will be submitted to the SI Advance for possible publication in the newspaper. 

We hope that this will persuade students to read the news and write about subjects close to home.  It may help give them confidence in their writing skills.  Who wouldn’t want to see their inspired writing in the newspaper?  Photos of the participants will also appear now-and-then in the paper.

Please join us in celebrating the creativity of Staten Island’s 5th grade students!

Sincerely,

Sam Pirozzolo - President, CEC 31

Rules for Journalism Award for 5th Grade Students

1)  The contest will run from January 2012 through the end of March 2012.

2)  Each month, fifth grade teachers in each participating elementary school on Staten Island would assign their students to read an article in the SI Advance (either online or print) about any topic pertaining to their community. Each student would write a short essay (minimum of 3 paragraphs) explaining what the student thought of the topic, and whether they agreed or disagreed with the article’s viewpoint/perspective.

3)  This is a voluntary assignment and students can choose to participate or not.

4)  Students who participate will be required to submit at least 1 essay during the 3 months of the contest, and must agree to have their essays published in the SI Advance newspaper, if chosen.

5)  Each month, the written essays would be reviewed by their teacher, who would choose 1 essay from each 5th grade class to be submitted to the school principal (or principal’s designee).

6)  The principal or designee will decide which essay will represent their school as that month’s contender.

7)  Only 1 entry allowed from each school each month (January through March).

8)  The single chosen essay from each school must be submitted by the last day of the month in order to qualify for that month.

9)  Entries should be submitted BY THE LAST DAY OF EACH MONTH as follows:

10)  The SI Advance may publish student essays monthly in the newspaper for the duration of the contest.

11)  The contest will end on March 31st, 2012.

12)  At the conclusion of the contest, one 5th grade student at each school will be chosen by the principal (or principal’s designee) of each school to receive the Community Awareness Through Journalism Award.

13)  The winning 5th graders’ names and essays may be published in the SI Advance newspaper and awards bestowed in May or June.

14)  Parents need to know that their children’s photographs may appear in the newspaper if the child is in a participating 5th grade class.

15) All essays and student photographs will become the property of CEC 31 and the SI Advance newspaper upon submission and will not be returned.

16) CEC 31 and the SI Advance retain the right to revise the rules of this contest at any time.

DOE ANNOUNCES START OF KINDERGARTEN ADMISSIONS PROCESS 

Families Should Apply at Schools by March 2, 2012 

The New York City Department of Education today announced key dates for families of children who will begin kindergarten in September 2012.

Families should apply in person between January 9 and March 2 at their zoned school. Families may also apply to other schools which their children are eligible to attend.  Schools will notify families about assignment offers beginning on March 19. To accept an offer, families must visit the school that made the offer with their children between March 26 and April 20 to pre-register. 

Children are eligible to start kindergarten in September 2012 if they were born in 2007, and are residents of New York City.

Families must show the following documentation when they apply to a school: 

1.) Proof of residence. This consists of any two of the following documents:

• A residential utility bill (gas or electric) in the resident's name and dated within the last 60 days;
• Documentation or letter on letterhead from a federal, state, or local government agency indicating the resident's name and address and dated within the last 60 days;
• An original lease agreement, deed, or mortgage statement for the residence;
• A current property tax bill for the residence;
• A water bill for the residence dated within the last 60 days;
• Official payroll documentation from an employer dated within the last 60 days, such as a form submitted for tax withholding purposes or payroll receipt (a letter on the employer's letterhead will not be accepted);        

2.) Child’s birth certificate or passport;

3.) Names of any siblings who will be enrolled in grades 1-5 at the school in September 2012.            

Zoned schools will give priority to students who live in that zone. Schools will make assignments according to the following priorities, listed from highest to lowest:           

1.  Zoned students with a sibling who will be enrolled in grades 1-5 at the school in September 2012;

2.  All other zoned students;

3.  Students residing in the school’s district but outside the school’s zone, with a sibling who will be enrolled in grades 1-5 at the school in September 2012;

4.  Student residing outside of the school’s district with a sibling who will be enrolled in grades 1-5 at the school in September 2012;

5.  All other students residing in the school’s district but outside the school’s zone,

6.  All other students. 

Families can visit the Department’s Web site at www.nyc.gov/schools or call 311 to locate their zoned school.

Gifted & Talented PROGRAMS & TESTING CALENDAR 

The G&T Test Calendar is available ONLINE HERE and also copied below:

Gifted & Talented Admissions 2011-12 Calendar

As of January 2012, all Pre-K students interested in applying for a Gifted & Talented (G&T) program, whether in a Department of Education (DOE) or non-DOE Pre-K program, will be tested under the same conditions on a weekend date.

For more information about elementary school G&T, visit the Gifted and Talented page. If you have questions about the admissions process, please email ES_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov.

Important Gifted and Talented Sites:

• Visit the G&T Admissions Calendar .
• Visit the Eligibility/Applications page to download a copy of the Gifted & Talented Information Handbooks.
• Sign up to receive Gifted & Talented email updates.

Gifted & Talented Handbooks
Review the Handbook for test preparation tips, important dates, and other key G&T information. You can access the 2011 – 2012 Gifted & Talented Handbooksat this webpage: http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/GiftedandTalented/default.htm

Please click on the link that corresponds with the year your student was born:

Elementary School Gifted and Talented (G&T)
Every year, the DOE determines the number of programs needed by each district based on the number of students who meet the eligibility requirements.  Should your child be eligible for a NYC DOE G & T program, a complete list of sites available to your child will be included with the G & T application.

Please note: not all schools with G&T programs in 2011-2012 will have a G&T program next year, and some schools not listed may start new G&T classes in 2012-2013. Find the current list of 2011-2012 Elementary G&T Classes here.

Middle School Academically Enriched Programs and Schools
To find an academically enriched middle school program/school for your student, please review the middle school directory for your district.  Middle School Directories can be found here.

Specialized High Schools
Review the specialized high schools section of the High School Admissions FAQ to learn more about applying to specialized high schools. Visit the online high school directory to find the specialized schools in your borough.

Citywide Gifted & Talented Schools
Review this site to learn more about the gifted and talented schools throughout the city.

Other Opportunities for Gifted Students in NYC
Please review this list of opportunities for gifted students in New York City.

SEM Programs
To find out if a school is implementing The Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM), please contact the school directly.

If you have questions, call the G&T Admissions team at (718)935-2009 or e-mail ES_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov

CAPITAL PLAN 2010-2014 AMENDMENT POWERPOINT

At the December 5th CEC public Calendar Meeting, the November 2011 Amendment to the Five Year Capital Plan was presented.

CLICK HERE to view the PowerPoint presentation of the Capital Plan Amendment. PLEASE GIVE IT A FEW MOMENTS TO LOAD - IT IS A LARGE DOCUMENT.

The PowerPoint document contains information and pictures of 3 new schools being established on Staten Island:

"CONTRACTS FOR EXCELLENCE" FUNDING 2011-2012

The NYC Department of Education receives a portion of its overall budget in the form of Foundation Aid from New York State. While the State allows some of the increase in funding to be used for growth in general operating costs and investment in ongoing programs, the majority is subject to the provisions of the State’s “Contracts for Excellence.”

New York City schools received Contracts for Excellence, or C4E, funds for the first time in the 2007-08 school year. These are funds that, under State law, must be distributed to certain schools and must be spent by those schools in specific program areas.

In 2011-12, New York City will once again receive funds subject to the provisions of the Contracts for Excellence. These provisions include:

1. Funds must support specific programs areas. C4E dollars must be spent to support new programs and activities or to expand existing programs and activities in the following six program areas:

• Class Size Reduction;
• Time on Task;
• Teacher and Principal Quality Initiatives;
• Middle School and High School Restructuring;
• Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten; and
• Model Programs for English Language Learners (New in 2008-09).

2. Funds must go to students with the greatest need. C4E funds must be used to improve the performance of students with the greatest educational need, including:

• English Language Learners (ELLs);
• Students with disabilities;
• Students in poverty; and
• Students performing below State learning standards or students who are at risk of not graduating.

3. Funds must supplement, not supplant.

CLICK HERE to view the PowerPoint presentation on the planning and implementation of the 2011-2012 Contracts for Excellence. PLEASE GIVE IT A FEW MOMENTS TO LOAD - IT IS A LARGE DOCUMENT.

COMMON CORE STANDARDS POWER POINT

As a result of our meeting with NYS Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. and Deputy Chancellor Shael Suransky on October 3rd, we have obtained a copy of their PowerPoint presentation for parents who were unable to attend the meeting.

CLICK HERE to view the PowerPoint presentation on the new Common Core Standards. PLEASE GIVE IT A FEW MOMENTS TO LOAD - IT IS A LARGE DOCUMENT.

PARENTS: TAKE ACTION TO GET "ANIYA'S LAW" PASSED TO RESTORE BUS SERVICE TO 7th & 8th GRADE STUDENTS

CEC 31 is requesting that NY State Bill #A2988A be named “ANIYA’s LAW” in memory of Aniya Williams, the 7th grade student killed crossing the street in Mariner’s Harbor on June 28th.  This pending law would require that school bus transportation be restored to all 7th and 8th grade students who live more than 1 mile from their school.  

Many of you responded to our earlier messages by asking what you can do to help. 

To help get “Aniya’s Law” passed by the NYS Assembly, CLICK HERE TO ACCESS A LETTER YOU CAN SEND TO NYS LEGISLATORS. PLEASE SEND THE LETTER TO THE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS who now have “Aniya’s Law” in their hands.  The Assembly Education Committee and Ways & Means Committee Members’ contact information is on pages 2 and 3 of the letter. 

Just complete your name, address and contact information on the bottom of page 1 of the  letter, and then mail or e-mail your letter directly to each of the elected officials listed on pages 2 & 3. 

If we all work together and send letters of support for “Aniya’s Law”, we can get this bill moved through the Assembly as quickly as possible and brought before the full Assembly for passage into law.  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH OTHERS.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Sam Pirozzolo
President, CEC 31

PARENTS: SIGN UP FOR DoE E-MAIL NEWSLETTERS

You can get updates about public schools delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for one or more of DoE’s e-mail newsletters:

• Breaking News (snow alerts and other important notifications) will be sent to you as soon as they’re issued.

• Weekly Update (This Week in Your Public Schools)keeps you informed with all of the latest news, programs, and events.

• Monthly Update (City Schools)includes features and in-depth stories.

• Press Releases give you access to the latest news as it's released by the Department of Education.

• Enrollment Updates (Gifted and Talented, Pre-K, Elementary, Middle, High School) alert you to important deadlines and events in your area of interest.

To sign up for the newsletters, click here to visit a DoE webpage and enter your e-mail address to subscribe.

THE STATEN ISLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

CLICK HERE for a FAQ Sheet on this program

After much discussion and planning, the Community Education Council of District 31 announced that Chancellor Klein and the Department of Education has authorized the start of the STATEN ISLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLARS PROGRAM, starting September, 2010.

Here is an overview of the program:

• Three public middle schools house the program in order to cover the widest possible geographic area (IS 27, IS 49 and IS 75)

• In order to retain the program, each of the three middle schools needed a minimum of 20 enrolled students, with a maximum of 30 seats available at each of the three schools. (Total seats = 90 district-wide)

• Staten Island 5th grade students who scored double level 4’s on their 4th grade NYS ELA & Math standardized tests were eligible to apply for enrollment in this program. (Approximately 250 students eligible to participate.)

• All 5th grade students who scored double level 4/4’s in 4th grade may obtain an application from their current elementary school.

• On the application, students are asked to prioritize their choice of the three school locations.

• After the application deadline in April, offers went out to fill the seats.

• Students were ranked for entrance according to their combined 4th grade Math & ELA standardized test scores. (Highest scorer gets 1st choice school, regardless of home zoned school)

• If more students applied than the number of seats available, students received priority based on their rank score within the test-level-4 range.

* GREAT EXPECTATIONS *

English
    K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

Spanish
    K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

Chinese
    K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th,8th

Russian
    K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

Arabic
    K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

Urdu
    K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

Bengali
    K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

Korean
    K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

Haitian Creole
   K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th

PARENT INFORMATION ON STUDENT BUS TRANSPORTATION:

Our goal is to give parents and families the information they need to be informed and involved. You can learn more about general education eligibility and student MetroCards, find important safety guidelines and valuable tips to share with your child.

In the KEY DOCUMENTS section on the following webpage: http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/Transportation/ParentResources/default.htm you will find helpful information about OPT policies and procedures including what happens if the school bus arrives at a student's destination and there is no adult at the stop to receive the child and how to request to
change the location where a special education student is dropped off after school.

Search School and Student Information

You can use the OPT School and Student Transportation Search to search for transportation information by school and by student.

Choose the School Transportation Information search to see a school's session times, yellow bus and MetroCard information.

Choose the Student Transportation Information search to see your child's information. You will need to enter your child's 9-digit student ID number and date of birth in order to view this information. For a general education student, you can see information that includes session times, scheduled morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off times, bus stop locations and bus company information. For a special education student you can see session times, route number and bus company information.

GENERAL EDUCATION ELIGIBILITY:

Transportation eligibility is determined on the basis of the student's grade level and the distance between the student's residence and school. The table below shows how OPT determines student eligibility for transportation based on the student's grade and the distance the student lives from school. For example:

A first-grader who lives 3/4 of a mile from school would be eligible for full fare transportation.

An eighth-grader who lives one mile from school would be eligible for half fare transportation.

The questions and answers below are designed to give parents the information they need about the following:
How eligibility is determined
Half Fare Transportation
Full Fare Transportation—MetroCards
Full Fare Transportation—Yellow Bus

HOW ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED

Eligibility is determined by the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT).

How are the residence/school distances determined?
Residence/school distances are determined by OPT using the shortest walking route. Please note: Driving distances are not used to calculate eligibility.

How is eligibility determined for students participating in the No Child Left Behind Program?
All students in kindergarten through sixth grade who have accepted transfers under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Program and who meet the eligibility requirements for free transportation will receive yellow school busing to their new school. All other students enrolled in the NCLB Program, even if they do not meet the eligibility requirements, will receive a MetroCard that provides free fare on public transportation. Click here for more information on the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

HALF FARE TRANSPORTATION

Students eligible for half fare transportation will be issued a Half Fare MetroCard by the office in their school that distributes MetroCards.

What is a Half Fare MetroCard?
A Half Fare MetroCard allows an eligible student to travel to and from school and school-related activities on buses only.

How much does a student pay?
The student contributes half of the cost of the fare.

Click here for more information about student MetroCards

FULL FARE TRANSPORTATION—MetroCard

Students eligible for full fare transportation may be issued a Full Fare MetroCard by the office in their school that distributes MetroCards or they may apply for yellow bus service.

What is a Full Fare MetroCard?
A Full Fare MetroCard allows an eligible student to travel to and from school and school-related activities by bus and subway.

How much does a student pay?
There is no charge to the student.

How do I request a Full Fare MetroCard for my child?
You may request a Full Fare MetroCard from your child's school.

Click here for more information about student MetroCards.

FULL FARE TRANSPORTATION—Yellow Bus Service

Students eligible for full fare transportation may apply for yellow bus service. Yellow bus service is bus service provided from designated stops at designated times to and from schools receiving this service. To apply for yellow bus service, a student must meet the following criteria:
The student must be eligible for full fare transportation as described above.
The student's school must have yellow bus service.
The students must be in grades K-6.
The student's residence must be in the same district as the school (if attending a public school) or the same borough (if attending a charter or non-public school).
If the above criteria are met and the student applies for and is assigned yellow bus service, the student will be assigned to a bus stop by his or her school.

Please Note: Admission to a gifted and talented program or school does not guarantee a student yellow bus transportation. Eligibility for yellow bus transportation for general education students attending gifted and talented schools and programs is based on the same criteria that apply to public school general education students as indicated above. Students attending one of the three citywide gifted and talented schools (PS 334—The Anderson School, NEST + M and TAG School for Young Scholars) are eligible for busing if they live in the same borough (Manhattan) and the route, as measured by bus stops, is no longer than five miles.

When can a K-2 student receive yellow bus service?
If a K-2 student lives a half mile or more from school, the school is in the same district as the student's residence, the school has yellow bus service and the parent or guardian requests yellow bus service, the K-2 student shall receive yellow bus service.

How do I determine whether my child's school has yellow bus service?
To determine whether or not your child's school has yellow bus service, contact the school. As an alternative, you may contact the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) directly by dialing 311. If contacting OPT to determine if a school has yellow bus service, please have the name and address of the school ready.

What if my child's school does not have yellow bus service?
If your child's school does not have yellow bus service, only your child's school (not parents) may request that service be instituted.

Why are transportation policies for charter and non-public schools different than those for public schools?
Transportation policies for non-public schools differ from those for public schools because non-public schools are not part of the Department of Education's geographical district structure. By law, transportation policies for charter school must be identical to those for non-public schools. For more information, please contact your non-public or charter school directly.

What if my child is assigned to a stop I find unsuitable?
If you find the stop to which your child is assigned is unsuitable, work with your school to select a different stop from those available to the school. OPT does not assign stops to students, only schools do.

What if I find none of the stops available to my child's school are suitable?
If you find none of the stops available to your child's school suitable, your child's school may request that a new stop be created. Only schools may request the creation of new stops. New stops will be granted only if they can be created using existing guidelines.

How do I request an exception to the Department of Education's transportation policies?
Exceptions to the Department's transportation policies must be applied for in writing. If an exception is granted, it will be documented by the issuance of a formal variance.

Links for Variance Requests for Student Eligibility to School Busing:
HAZARD/SAFETY/INADEQUATE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VARIANCE
MEDICAL VARIANCE & RELEASE FORM

For more information about the types of variances for which you can apply go toDOE PUPIL TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION page or call the DOE OFFICE OF PUPIL TRANSPORTATION (OPT). 

OPT Customer Service Agents are available Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at (718) 392-8855 and via e-mail at PupilTransportationTeam@schools.nyc.gov to answer questions, take service complaints, and provide information for parents and guardians and schools. Staff is always available at OPT until bus companies report that all bus routes have been completed and children have arrived safely at home. OPT Customer Service Agents are also available on weekends during peak periods of the year to assist families and schools with information concerning school opening in September and summer transportation in late June.

SPECIAL EDUCATION BUS ELIGIBILITY:

State education law mandates that the City provide transportation for special education children residing in New York City to and from the school they legally attend. The type of transportation provided (yellow bus or MetroCard for public transportation) is determined by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) which is developed by the Committee on Special Education. Unlike general education where eligibility is determined by a student's grade level and the distance he or she lives from school, a special education student's eligibility for transportation is determined solely by the requirements of their IEP.

The Chancellor's Regulations define the key responsibilities of everyone involved in the movement of special education school children. This includes the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT), the Division of Special Education, the Committee on Special Education, the bus companies, drivers, escorts, schools, parents, and children.

Change of After School Drop-Off Location for Special Education Students:

Special education busing is a door-to-door service. In some cases, parents may need an afternoon drop-off location that is different from their child's morning pick-up location. Parents should complete the Request to Change a Special Education Student's After School Drop-Off Location form to request that their child be dropped off in the afternoon at a location other than their home address. Regulations do not require that a student be dropped off after school at any location other than the student’s home, but OPT will make every effort to accommodate these requests provided that the following conditions apply:

• The student must be entitled to and receiving door-to-door transportation.
• The student may be dropped at only one alternate location within the same week.
• The new drop location is in the child’s home borough.

To assist in processing your request, please be sure to:

• Print the information clearly.
• Enter the student ID number.
• Sign the form: Parent/guardian or other designated person responsible for the child.
• Mail or fax the request to the address listed on the form.C
  

CEC 31 RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING CHANGES TO SCHOOL BUS ELIGIBILITY FOR DISTRICT 31 STUDENTS

The following resolution was voted on by the CEC 31 Council at the January 4, 2010 Calendar Meeting.

Resolution #58 – CEC 31 RECOMMENDS CHANGES TO SCHOOL BUS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR DISTRICT 31 STUDENTS

WHEREAS, District 31 has serious traffic safety and student transportation issues, specifically in the vicinity of elementary and intermediate schools, due in large part to parents driving students to school because of the lack of access to public transportation; and

WHEREAS, Community Education Council 31 (CEC 31) has been working with NYPD Patrol Borough Staten Island Command in an effort to reduce hazardous traffic conditions near and around public schools via the student Stop & Drop program during morning arrivals; and

WHEREAS, Grade K-2 bus/eligible students who live more than ½ mile but less than 1 mile from school often have older siblings at the same school in grades 3-5 not eligible for school bus service due to the residence/distance requirement, causing parents with children in different grades not to utilize school bus service since they must drive the older non-bus/eligible child to school and they take the younger child as well; and

WHEREAS, District 31 (comprised of the entire borough of Staten Island) is the largest geographic NYC school district with over 57,000 public school students and mitigating circumstances which make the district unlike any other district in NYC, such as: the greatest average distance that students live from school, the lowest availability of public transportation and more hazardous walking conditions; and

WHEREAS, NYS Education Law (Title 5, Article 73, Part 3, §3635) requires that transportation provided for children residing within a city school district, “shall be offered equally to all such children in like circumstances”; and

WHEREAS, District 31 is a district impoverished in public transportation, without easy access to MTA trains or buses as in the other four NYC boroughs and therefore there are no “like circumstances” in any other district as it relates to public transportation; the other boroughs have many more public transportation options for students to use to travel to school: Brooklyn (55 MTA bus routes/17 train lines), Manhattan (43 MTA bus routes/24 train lines), Queens (40 MTA bus routes/9 train lines), the Bronx (39 MTA bus routes/7 train lines), while Staten Island has only 22 MTA bus routes/1 train line; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that CEC 31 hereby requests the NYC Department of Education to evaluate and implement the following school bus service eligibility changes:

*Petition the NYS Education Department to amend State Education Law to allow District 31 students to be eligible for school bus service under the following new residence/distance requirements: students in grades K-2 (and their siblings in grades 3-5) residing more than ½ mile from school; and students in grades 3-8 residing more than 1 mile from school

*Until such time as the NYS Education Law is amended, the DoE Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) would allow school bus eligibility for ALL Staten Island 7th & 8th grade students residing more than 1 mile from school, on the grounds of borough-wide inadequate public transportation; such eligibility would be dependant upon satisfying all other OPT rules for school bus service

*OPT should initiate a “Sibling Bus-Eligibility Rule” for students in grades 3-5 who attend the same school as their grade K-2 siblings in order to utilize existing school buses being used for the younger siblings; the sibling bus-eligibility would expire when the youngest sibling reaches grade 3 and no longer qualifies for school bus service; such eligibility would be dependant upon satisfying all other OPT rules for school bus service

*A senior executive from the DoE Office of Pupil Transportation should be assigned to the Mayor’s Staten Island Transportation Task Force in order to allow the agencies to collaboratively work to improve the safety and transportation of District 31 students.

Explanation: According to a 2006 study conducted by the NYC Department of City Planning, Staten Island’s population will grow from 483,000 to 552,000 by 2030, a 24.4% growth since 2000. It is anticipated that Staten Island will represent 6.5% of New York City’s population, but 16% of registered motor vehicles. Not only will expanded school bus service improve student access to school and student safety, it will help reduce traffic congestion by removing excess private vehicles from roads and significantly improving the quality of life for all of Staten Island.