New York City students who take the bus may experience some “disruptions and delays” on the first day of school Thursday due to the ongoing labor fight involving the bus drivers union, schools Chancellor David Banks warned.
Last week, Amalgamated Transit Union 1181, which represents more than 8,000 school bus drivers, “delayed” the process of choosing its annual routes while the labor group and the city tried to reach a contract agreement, according to Banks.
“This may result in some drivers being placed on unfamiliar bus routes and some companies being unable to provide families riding curb-to-school bus routes with pick-up and drop-off times before the first day of school,” Banks said Wednesday.
Before each school year, bus drivers typically chose one of 4,400 routes in the five boroughs based on seniority.
Some Big Apple school families have not received information about their bus route with just a day before school, according to Chancellor Banks. AP
The ATU delayed the selection process while continuing to demand higher salaries across the board.
“Some families may not yet have received confirmation of their route information from their bus provider,” Banks admitted Wednesday.
“We want to make parents and families aware that they may, in fact, experience some bus disruptions and delays on their first day of school,” she said.
Banks warned parents to anticipate “some bus transportation disruptions and delays” on the first day of school. James Messerschmidt for NY Post
The ATU promised to offer bus service on Thursday and Friday, but a strike beyond this week is not ruled out.
The union said it has not stopped pushing for a “fair contract” and is still negotiating with bus companies and the Big Apple.
The city’s instructions to schools regarding the large number of immigrant children entering the classroom are: Find out for yourself!
The brief 415-word memo guidelines include. . .
- That the Department of Education does not track immigration status, suggesting that it cannot give schools any idea of how many children they will accept, but then warns all administrators that “they should not turn away any students.”
- Students will not be able to arrive speaking English. Schools must find a teacher who speaks that language “if available.” If not available, use federal funds to hire some translators.
- It is up to the schools themselves to identify how many English learners they have within 10 days.
- Children may not have school supplies. Again, the city tells them to use federal funds to buy some, encouraging schools to “create cabinets for care packages.”
- Are you still in trouble? “Complete the Central Project Open Arms team support request form.”
The DOE last week unveiled a costly backup plan should its bus drivers choose to go on strike, which included using ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyfts and MetroCards to take thousands of children to the school.
The department said it would book Ubers, Lyfts or taxis for students or reimburse families up to $100 each way for the rides.
If a strike were to occur, it would be the first since January 2013.
The ATU called off its strike but said it was still fighting for higher wages.Getty Images
Potential clutter on bus routes isn’t the only problem facing city schools as the academic year begins.
Gov. Kathy Hochul warned Wednesday that thousands of new immigrant students will pose a “challenging” language barrier in classrooms.
Most of the 60,000 asylum seekers hosted in the five districts speak exclusively Spanish, he said.
In preparation, the DOE hired 3,400 licensed teachers of English as a New Language, as well as more than 1,700 teachers who are fluent in Spanish.
Categories: Trending
Source: vtt.edu.vn