Apr2025

Written By PIST NYC

Pasting below several events this month which we think our members will enjoy and/or give out resources & promote the cause of better busing. If you subscribe, you got this as an email. However in this space we will update with new details and dates, hopefully Spanish translation and alternative text, and hopefully photos after each event.

April 2025 Update from Parents to Improve School Transportation

Contents:

  1. What is the ‘Road to Better Busing’?

  2. Important links for you to use!

  3. Calendar of Events

  4. Flyers for the events also at https://www.facebook.com/groups/PISTNYC/permalink/2625273867662301/

What is the ‘Road to Better Busing’?

R2BB is a coalition working on getting improvements to school bus service in NYC, of which PIST is a member along with well known advocates for children and families. Many of you attended the March 24 town hall which explained how pending state legislation to restore EPP provisions is a key step in the right direction. 


R2BB wants S1018 (Jackson, Ramos) and the corresponding Assembly bill from Simone to pass because EPP would clear the way for contracts to be redefined in the interest of the students, and could help increase recruitment and retention of bus drivers and attendants – so that routes won’t be under-staffed as they are now. 


The parents and workers have been struggling for years to accomplish this, and nowadays even OPT agrees that employee protection provisions are a must. 


If you are an advocate or represent an organization, please show Albany there is wide support for this campaign by signing this Road to Better Busing platform statement https://forms.gle/cisVchimYU9Xg5sD7 



Important links for you to use!

  • For a summary of this legislative solution from a strictly parent point of view, please see tinyurl.com/WhyS1018 and show your state representatives or give them a call or email [note: the last update incorrectly said it was a bit.ly link, sorry!] 



  • Since the GPS school bus tracking app is not fully reliable, parents in a recent PIST meeting compiled this list of alternatives to know #WheresMyBus by knowing where your child is: www.pistnyc.org/resources/better-trackers 


  • Reminder: with every new route you should be given a Bus Emergency contact card to fill out with names of people who can receive the student if you are not available. tinyurl.com/buscontact 

  


Calendar of April 2025 Events which PIST is supporting & why:


Date Day time Event location More info/links. FLYERS BELOW

April 2 Wednesday 3:30 - 5 p.m. Paraprofessional Rally for Respect City Hall, Manhattan Wear Blue

Because how school bus paras are treated and paid is an obstacle to attendance for riders.

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April 4 Friday 6 - 8 p.m.LESCPP forum on State Tests 428 E 10th St., Manhattan contact@lescpp.org

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April 5 Saturday 11 am - 2 pm Rainbow Garden 2025 Opening 757 Melrose Ave, Bronx 157th Street

Because this garden/farm is a friendly community for students with disabilities and for PIST

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April 5 Saturday 1 - 3 PM NYC against the cutbacks Bryant Park 42nd/6th, Manhattan

Because we have a letter to union members and leaders about S. 1018 and the importance to all workers of recruiting and retaining people in school bus jobs.

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April 8 Tuesday 12:30 - 1:30 pm PIST volunteer zoom Virtual - check in to share ideas and updates, possibly take on a small task for spring break ‘homework’.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85016387804?pwd=dWzfHavsvFxJ2UVBNHSxrAooT6hbxO.1

Meeting ID: 850 1638 7804 Passcode: SAFETY

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April 9 Wednesday 4:30 - 6 PM Working with undocumented parents https://planningwithparents.commons.gc.cuny.edu/

For the same reason we are sharing the bus contact card, to stay a step ahead of raids gone wild. Since the process of being granted citizenship can drag out for years, many families are in immigration limbo even though they have not broken laws. Children should not be left with agencies or in detention centers; they can be placed with trusted individuals on a temporary but renewable basis. Learn how for your child or their friend, classmate or neighbor.

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April 14 - 18 Mon to Fri Spring Break for Public Schools!

If your child’s school is another type and is open, talk to the bus company and crew and school now about what to expect on the route. Best wishes to those who celebrate Passover or Easter.

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April 17 Thursday (Friday is a holiday) 7:30 - 8:30 pm PIST volunteer zoom Virtual until hotter weather - plan for the late April activities below and get a sneak preview of what’s coming in May and June. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88975571873?pwd=idWSuZLcntYta1TDMofWtThwSnXCNL.1

Meeting ID: 889 7557 1873 Passcode: 677197

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April 19 Saturday 11 am - 2 pm Autism awareness Family Day - PIST table at Rev. Wendell Foster Park, BX co-sponsored by Autismo Educa

Because you can gather information about resources while also helping other families of school bus riders

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April 23 Wednesday 6:00 PM Panel for Ed. Policy - Comment on bus contracts expiring June 2025~ Hybrid https://learndoe.org/pep/apr23

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April 26 Saturday 11 am - 2 pm 🌈 Garden Earth Day/Autism Month 757 Melrose Ave, Bronx co-sponsored by Timon Family Services

Because these are two organizations we collaborate with, and it will be fun + educational !!

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April 30 Wednesday 6 to 7:30 p.m. CCD75 Busing issues committee Virtual with Bangla, Mandarin and Spanish interpretation https://nycdoe.zoom.us/meeting/register/sToBI9RXSPi_HApQNNAkLg#/registration Sponsored by Citywide Council on District 75 district75council@schools.nyc.gov 

Because they work with parents to resolve day to day busing issues; also they stand for longer term solutions like S. 1018 plus creating job pipelines in the community colleges for special education providers such as paraprofessionals.

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