Fortunately no serious injuries, (this time), but no sidewalks on parts of Cleveland Ave. puts kids bounced from the bus in danger ...
http://blog.silive.com/around_the_block_column/2011/03/no_bus_service_no_sidewalkand_no_chance_against_a_reckless_driver_on_staten_island.html

Mike Reilly is the Co-Chair of the Community Education Council (CEC) Transportation & Safety Committee. I received this e-mail from him today ... he's really been busy in Albany, not limited just to the issue of parents providing their own transportation. Read on ...


Hi Buzz

Below is some issues and resolutions that were discussed concerning transportation and overall education. I will keep you informed of any further information I receive

Thanks
Mike

Hello everyone,

Today I went to Albany with the S.I. Federation of PTA's for Lobby Day. I was able to meet with Senator Lanza and Assembly Members Cusick, Titone, Tobacco, and Malliotakis. They were very receptive and responsive to our needs in District 31.

Below is a list of topics discussed and the action proposed by our representatives:

1) The DoE's proposal to pay special education parents for transporting their children to school in order to offset transportation cost.

I explained how this would create even more hazardous traffic conditions in the vicinity of our schools. It also would violate NYS Education Law which mandates a school district to provide Yellow Bus Transportation for Special Education students. All our representatives suggested that they would advocate to stop the DoE's proposal.

2) Child Safety Zones Authorized for City School Boards with a Populations above 1 million people to provide Yellow School Bus Service to otherwise non-eligible students. (to include the lack of adequate public transportation as one criteria (proposed at Legislative Forum at Petrides on 2/11/11)

Senator Lanza introduced Bill # S3521 on 2/24/11 - which will authorize the NYC DoE to designate certain areas of NYC (Staten Island and Queens) as Child Safety Zones and provide yellow bus service.

3) Cameras on Special Education Buses (discussed at S.I. Federation of PTA's Legislative Forum at Petrides on 2/11/11)

Assemblyman Cusick will be introducing legislation in the coming weeks to require school districts to install on board cameras on school buses that transport special education/special needs students as a means to protect student and driver/matron safety.

4) Traffic Cameras on Stop Arms of School Buses to deter vehicles from overtaking buses loading and discharging students.

Assembly Bill # A4416 was reintroduced by Assemblyman Rivera (Bronx) - The entire Staten Island NYS Assembly Delegation has signed on to as Co-Sponsors of this legislation. I asked Senator Lanza to consider drafting a same as bill in the NYS Senate, which he will do.

5) Last In First Out -- Legislation Senate Bill # S3501b.  It passed out of committee, but they promised it will be revised.

(Strictly my opinion)  I read the bill and believe that it has potential. There are as many good points as flawed ones. Some key points that I consider acceptable as first line layoffs:
a) teachers convicted of a criminal offense
b) teachers who have SUBSTANTIATED rulings by The Office of Special Investigations for serious issues (not just accused) 
c) teachers who have a high amount of unexcused absences or tardiness (time frame to be determined in final bill)
d) teachers who have failed to obtain proper certifications

Not Acceptable
a) Teachers who receive a U rating within the last 5 years. (too arbitrary)
b) 4th - 8th grade Teachers who's students score in the bottom 30% of the system on NYS State Exams.
c) All special education teachers EXEMPT from Layoffs.

6) A New Dorp H.S student explained the following : In January High School Regents exams were canceled because of the last snowstorm. No make up exam date scheduled. The students would have to wait to take the Regents exam in June and those students who were eligible to graduate in January with a Regents Diploma had to accept a Local Diploma if they wanted to graduate in January with the option to return in June and take the Regents.

Senator Lanza took the student's suggestion to require a make up Regents exam within 15 days of a canceled exam. He will be drafting legislation to prevent such an incident in the future.

Talk to you soon,


Mike Reilly
Community Education Council 31



As you can see, Mike is certainly not one to let grass grow under his feet. He is a great advocate for the kids, schools and support services, not the least of which are us. Thanks for your efforts, Mike.

Probably within the next few weeks ... http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/battle_over_denial_of_bus_serv.html

Just the suggestion of Cathie Black to pay parents to take their special ed kids to school was enough to spur 1181 and others into preemptive action. Mike Reilly of the Community Education Council is on his way to Albany today and will meet up with 1181's lobbyists there regarding same. At the end of this month (28th or 29th) 1181 will be going up to Albany with buses to lobby members of the state legislature. Anybody who would like to go should contact the union. It will be a work day, but there are jobs at stake here and they would like to have a few members from each yard around the city. (I would think some casuals and shapes should be willing to sacrifice their half-day's pay to help insure they have a job.) P.I.S.T. - Parents to Improve School Transportation - will also be supporting us on this, as they have on other busing issues.

The a-holes at OPT had the wrong date ... it's tomorrow. Sheesh! 

Yard inspection tomorrow at 9:30 for even-numbered routes. There's always a link to the Yard Inspection Checklist on the homepage, or you can use the link below. Guess everybody has to come back after the a.m. (What will the inspectors be doing between 5:30 and 9:30? ? ? )


http://1181drivers.com/InspectionChecklist.html

I heard that 5 drivers got violations last week for not having their correct route number signs in the windows. They couldn't get their regular buses out of the yard so they used other buses ... but didn't change the route numbers. Unofficially, I heard the fine is $200 per sign ($400).

Used to be you virtually never saw an inspector at a non-public school ... let alone on a holiday week. That's all changed, folks ... stay on your toes!

Former staff sergeant speaking at liberal puppy-mill Columbia University is laughed at by some students. This guy was in the hospital for 2 years as a result of his injuries, for which he received the Purple Heart. He is still in a wheelchair. What a disgrace that guys like him risk their lives so assholes like those that are in the audience are free to heckle him.

Thinking of retiring? Buy-Outs are again on the table and you could get yours as early as the end of this month. Same deal as before ...

$15,000 - 2 weeks of accrual checks or less

$16,000 - 3 weeks of accrual

$17,000 - 4 weeks of accrual

$18,000 - 5 weeks of accrual

No specific number given as to how many, but I'm told it will be limited and on a first-come first-served basis. If you're interested, give Neil or Stacy a call.

Amazing ... these performances are 47 years apart (1957 & 2004) ... with the original guys! I think they sound even better in the second one. Absolutely amazing! (Thanks to the driver who e-mailed these to me.)

Just like in the show, soda cans from a state with no deposit redeemed in a state with 5-cent deposit ... but who knew it was a crime?

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=14013813

Saw a pot-hole repair crew on Hylan Blvd. this morning. Being a Sunday, do they get overtime ... time-and-a-half ... maybe double? (NUMBERS would be able to get the answer to that question.) If so, how did the state save any money by forcing a non-paid furlough day ... then send them out on a Sunday instead?

Obama's birth certificate ...

It never ceases to amaze me that some of the lucky pool winners are too friggin' cheap to tip a full 10% ... or not at all. Whether you won $5000 or $200, ten percent is ten percent. NOTHING is taken off the top. There is a lot of time, work and aggravation to running a pool, not to mention the fiduciary responsibility of safeguarding (and making good for) a lot of money.

The guy deserves a FULL 10%. If you can't afford to give him that, you shouldn't be gambling in the first place! If you haven't done the right thing, MAKE IT RIGHT. Don't be a ...

Eddie has been working with Mike Reilly of the CEC in response to drivers' safety concerns at the Marsh Ave. School, apparently due to cars being parked in and around "the loop." The D.O.T. will be placing "Bus Only" signs in the area and there will be police enforcement (once the signs are in place) thanks to their efforts.

Stern warning from Mary this afternoon not to park in the front double row unless you intend to be gone by 6 tomorrow ... and that somebody will be checking. This is what should be done all the time, not just in bad weather. A lot of guys got the "permit" basis their report time, but don't actually leave anywhere near that early.

I cannot imagine that there are more than a handful of regular ed runs that have to be out at 6 a.m. Where are their runs ... in Queens? Maybe the few buses that do I.S. 49 morning extended day, and buses that pick up NCLB on the North Shore for South Shore schools.  What could it be ... 15, 20 buses, maybe, that really have to leave by 6?

Cut those spaces in half and let the other prima donnas schlep to the nether regions of the yard, just like the rest of us! 

As tricky as driving was on some streets, walking is even worse ... all over! I know Bloomy wouldn't close schools for a little ice, heaven forbid, but I think a 2-hour delay would have been in order.

I understand one driver was taken out of the yard in an ambulance this morning, due to the ice. Hope he's OK.

In an effort to help with collection from delinquent gamblers, here's a list of the boxes that have not yet been paid for, with initials:

$100 Pool #1
50 - B. & P.

$100 Pool #2
33 - R. G.
34 - B. F.

$50 Pool
68 - P. T.
97 - R. C.

$25 Pool #1
18 - G. D.
31 - D. B.
54 - G. D.
63 - A.

$25 Pool #2
33 - S. & L.
35 - R. C.
36 - S. & L.
58 - R. C.
61 - S. & L.
64 - S. & L.

If anyone knows who "S. & L." is, please tell Andy or Rudy. (Or PM me and I'll give them the message)

This is good ... there is no mirror. That's the woman's twin sister.





Thanks to the driver who sent it to me. 
(But how is it that men and women use the same washroom ? ? ? )

To all those who were early to claim their desired Superbowl Pool box and still haven't paid: PAY UP! You've had more than two months!

The rest of us would like to know what scores we have, but we're waiting for you so the numbers can be picked!

Thank you.