As we remember and celebrate those who risked everything 50 years ago to improve our society, we must remember that the work is not done.  We have the opportunity and responsibility to address today's challenges. 

A day does not go by without being reminded of how poorly our schools are performing and how many problems have been caused by unruly youth.  Here is some good news!  The days when people can stand up, be heard and make a difference are not over!  You CAN make a difference!

Ask any teacher and they will tell you how important parental involvement in the school is in promoting the success of the child and the school.  One major obstacle in facilitating parental involvement is the current busing practice.  That practice is, busing is provided for students only is they live more than than 1.5 miles from their school of choice.  Originally intended as a cost saving measure, it has had the unintended consequence of parents choosing schools outside their 1.5 mile limit to ensure their children have a ride to school.   Putting their child on the bus gives parents a sense of safety but the extra distance it puts them from their child's school can make it very difficult for parents to participate in parent/teacher interactions as well as after school events.  This is particularly true for poor families who do not have a car available to drive to their child's school. 

YOU CAN HELP FIX THIS PROBLEM!  Get the laws changed to offer busing to any child going to their neighborhood school if their walk to school is more than 1,500 ft. 

We need to have as many people as possible sending emails to our State Assembly and State Senate members asking for short distance busing legislation.  I highly encourage also copying the School Board members and the Superintendent each time you lobby State, County and City officials. 

Some benefits to point out in your correspondence for reducing the busing distance requirement include:

• It promotes a return to neighborhood schools within walking distance.  This lets parents walk to the school even if they don't have a car.
• It strengthens the bond between parents and their child's school and teachers.
• It promotes neighborhood stability.  If a parent values being within walking distance of their child's school, they will try to stay in the neighborhood if they should find it necessary to move.
• Renters who see themselves as having a long term commitment to staying in the neighborhood get more involved in improving it and being good neighbors.
• Attending a neighborhood school encourages deeper friendships with local children and their families, as well as fostering parent/parent friendships.
• More options are open for club activities if kids can walk home if an activity runs late.
• Neighborhood schools can connect students to local resources such as libraries and recreation centers they can walk to.
• If summer activities are provided at a neighborhood school most kids can walk if busing is not provided.

These are just a few thoughts.  Please share others you think of in the reply section below.

Here is contact info for our local State officials:

• Assemblyman David F. Gantt, Roch: 585-454-3670,  Albany: 518-455-5606,  GanttD@assembly.state.ny.us
• Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle, Roch: 585-467-0410, Albany: 518-455-5373, morellej@assembly.state.ny.us
• Assemblyman Harry B. Bronson, Roch: 585-244-5255, Albany: 518-455-4527, bronsonh@assembly.state.ny.us
• State Senator Robach, Joseph E., Roch: (585) 225-3650, Albany: (518) 455-2909, robach@nysenate.gov
• State Senator Ranzenhofer, Michael H., Williamsville: (716) 631-8695 / (585) 454-0322, Albany: (518) 455-316,  ranz@senate.state.ny.us
• State Senator Richard Funke, 230 Packett's Landing, Fairport, NY 14450, Phone: (585) 223-1800, Fax: (585) 223-3157. Funke@nysenate.gov

Last year S5227B passed in the Senate but no bill was introduced in the Assembly.  It would allow students to be bused if they live more than 0.5 miles from their school of choice. It is a provision for a pilot program. Considering that currently a child has to be 1.5 miles or more from their chosen school to be eligible for busing, this would be a big improvement.  Still, in winters like this one, 1/2 mile is a long walk for a 1st grader not to mention mom, dad, or grandparent who would have to walk a round trip to deliver and pick the child up.  We still need to get exact data, but 80% is probably a reasonable guess at the % of students who are bused.   Since this will allow more kids to attend their nearest school, it could actually reduce busing costs.

To maximize the effect of this letter writing campaign, please also copy the School Board and Superintendent when you write State, County or City officials.  We met with Commissioners Willa Powell and Malik Evans this week and the letter writing effort many of you made contacting the Board and Superintendent regarding keeping Pre-K to 6th grade open at School 44 until 16 reopens on Post Avenue has been noticed and the effort appreciated by the Board. Keep those letters flowing also.

RCSD Contact info:

Board Members:

• Van Henri White <van.white@thelegalbrief.com> Board President, (585) 271-6780
• Cynthia Elliott <cynthiaelliott1938@yahoo.com> Board Vice President, (585) 262-8525
• Mary Adams <MaryB_Adams@urmc.rochester.edu> <Mary.Adams@rcsdk12.org> , (585) 317-2367
• Melisza Campos <meliszacampos@hotmail.com>, (585) 262-8525
• Jose Cruz <countyleg@hotmail.com>, (585) 262-8525
• Malik Evans <malikevans07@aol.com> <malik@malikevans.org> , (585) 262-8525
• Willa W Powell <willa.powell@rcsdk12.org> , (585) 442-8360
• Unique Fair-Smith, Student Representative

Superintendent:

• Dr. Bolgen Vargas <Bolgen.Vargas@RCSDK12.ORG>

To help the SWCC Education Committee , the 19WCA Schools Committee , the AQE/Metro Justice Education Committee and the FR=EE Race and Education Committee it would be appreciated if you also copied the following committee chairs with your input:

John Boutet <jboutet@frontiernet.net> , John Laing <jlaing1@rochester.rr.com>, Jim Bearden <jeb.bearden@gmail.com>, Judith Davis <n583484@aol.com>, and Jim Wood <jwood6923@gmail.com>

Celebrate Selma today by building a better tomorrow with our schools.  Good schools are the key to good neighborhoods.

Thank you,

John