Our littlest students' safety is at risk as they ride the school bus in New York City.

General Education students in Grades K-6 currently ride school buses throughout New York City without a monitor or escort accompanying them on their route to and from school.

The bus driver, whose attention should be solely focused on safely operating the bus, is also responsible for making sure that the children are conducting themselves in a safe manner as they ride.

Per regulations outlined by the Department of Education of the City of New York for schools who provide buses through the Office of Pupil Transportation, only buses transporting Special Education students are required to have an escort or monitor present.

This gap in adequate supervision could have dire consequences for students as young as age 4.

We need your support in telling in telling Mayor Di Blasio, Schools Chancellor Fariña, and Public Advocate James, that we require adequate supervision for ALL of our city’s students traveling by school bus. ALL of students deserve to travel to and from school safely!

Dear Mayor DiBlasio, Chancellor Fariña, and Public Advocate James:

We, the undersigned, request an immediate review of the Department of Education policy that requires escorts or monitors only on buses transporting special education students. General Education students are also at risk of injury or harm without adequate supervision as they ride to and from school. This policy must be revised to include escorts or monitors for ALL of our students traveling on buses contracted by the Department of Education.