DCPS discontinuing "transportation services" -- what does this mean?

[Anonymous]

We've gotten a few cryptic updates from our school about DCPS discontinuing a transportation initiative. But I can't figure out what this means, exactly. Is there someone more in the loop that can shed some light on this?

[Anonymous]

DCPS doesn't provide transportation, except for Special Needs.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the bus passes and reduced ed metro rail pass will be more costly?

[Anonymous]

DCPS does provide transportation for kids who live in failing school districts and get into another school via the lottery, a hold over from the No Child Left Behind provisions. However, they have announced that they will no longer be provided those services after this school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCPS does provide transportation for kids who live in failing school districts and get into another school via the lottery, a hold over from the No Child Left Behind provisions. However, they have announced that they will no longer be provided those services after this school year.

I thought that the plan was to make transportation via Metro and MetroBus free for those students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCPS does provide transportation for kids who live in failing school districts and get into another school via the lottery, a hold over from the No Child Left Behind provisions. However, they have announced that they will no longer be provided those services after this school year.

I thought that the plan was to make transportation via Metro and MetroBus free for those students?

Possibly, but we are at an elementary school so it's not as relevant for our kids. We're going to lose many of the wonderful kids that come on the buses now.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- we are at our IB elementary and get free metrobus travel to and from school. I'm trying to work out if we are going to lose that, or if this refers to some other program.

I'm trying to work out (a) what the program that's being cut is and (b) whether it affects subsidized wmata travel:
http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm#students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- we are at our IB elementary and get free metrobus travel to and from school. I'm trying to work out if we are going to lose that, or if this refers to some other program.

I'm trying to work out (a) what the program that's being cut is and (b) whether it affects subsidized wmata travel:
http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm#students

How far are you from your IB school that you need to take a bus to get there? We are OOB at a school one neighborhood over and we walk every morning. It's a little less than a mile.

[Anonymous]

Currently all kids ride the bus for me when you show your DC One card to the driver.

I get my child a monthly metro (train) pass for $30 a month and it's unlimited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- we are at our IB elementary and get free metrobus travel to and from school. I'm trying to work out if we are going to lose that, or if this refers to some other program.

I'm trying to work out (a) what the program that's being cut is and (b) whether it affects subsidized wmata travel:
http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm#students

How far are you from your IB school that you need to take a bus to get there? We are OOB at a school one neighborhood over and we walk every morning. It's a little less than a mile.

We are right on the edge of the boundary. It's exactly a mile. That's a 40 minute round trip for whichever parent walks the kids to school -- you have to come all the way back for metro. It's not that it's too far to walk. It's that there isn't enough time in the morning to do it. And in the evening, the kids are wiped out.

Also, in winter, the streets are not particularly well lit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Currently all kids ride the bus for me when you show your DC One card to the driver.

I get my child a monthly metro (train) pass for $30 a month and it's unlimited.

Yes. I am trying to find out if this is the program that is being cut, or if the messages are about another program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- we are at our IB elementary and get free metrobus travel to and from school. I'm trying to work out if we are going to lose that, or if this refers to some other program.

I'm trying to work out (a) what the program that's being cut is and (b) whether it affects subsidized wmata travel:
http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm#students

How far are you from your IB school that you need to take a bus to get there? We are OOB at a school one neighborhood over and we walk every morning. It's a little less than a mile.

We are right on the edge of the boundary. It's exactly a mile. That's a 40 minute round trip for whichever parent walks the kids to school -- you have to come all the way back for metro. It's not that it's too far to walk. It's that there isn't enough time in the morning to do it. And in the evening, the kids are wiped out.

Also, in winter, the streets are not particularly well lit.

Thanks for the explanation. I was just curious, as the system of neighborhood schools is supposed to make it easier to get kids to school without cars or buses or trains. I know that's not the case in all neighborhoods. Our neighborhood is walkable and well lit and school is on my way to and from work, so I don't have to backtrack or worry about visibility, so the lack of bus would not bother me much.

[Anonymous]

PP here -- I'm also doing this with two kids, 4 and 5 years old. We typically walk home in summer; I'm guessing as they get older, there will be more walking.

[Anonymous]

Dear Parent or Guardian:

After careful consideration of the needs of our schools and district-wide initiatives, DCPS has reassessed the costs associated with maintaining the School Choice Transportation Program and has determined to discontinue transportation services and fare card assistance following school year 2014 – 2015. This assistance has gradually reduced the number of buses and routes provided, given the declining number of School Choice students served.

In an effort to ensure that you are properly informed and prepared, the Office of Federal Programs and Grants will host a Parent Forum:

Van Ness Elementary School,
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
1150 5th Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
From: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me directly, or you may contact the Office of Federal Programs and Grants [e-mail] or at 202-442-6025. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Michael Quander, M.Ed.
Program Specialist, Office of Federal Programs and Grants
District of Columbia Public Schools
Office of Data and Strategy
Van Ness Elementary School Campus
1150 5th Street, SE Suite 202
Washington, DC 20003
T 202.535.1279
F 202.535.2256
E [e-mail]
W dcps.dc.gov

[Anonymous]

What do they mean by fare card assistance? I certainly hope they are not referring to free metro bus rides and monthly metro train passes for $30 for DC students with DC one card. If they are they are certainly being very myopic and hurting a lot of kids.