School Transportation Overview and Information

An Overview of of School Transportation

Here at P.S. 211 Elm Tree Elementary, we strongly believe that a big part of the Elementary School life is for our students to have the ability to get to school in the morning and back home in the afternoon in a safe and efficient manner. 

There is a lot of information revolving around School Transportation when it comes to the New York City Department of Education and we are here to help to break it down in a way that will make it easier for our parents to understand and digest.

If you would like to request additional information related to School Transportation or would like to see if you’re eligible for either a Yellow School Bus or a MetroCard please fill out our P.S. 211 Transportation/Bussing Requests Google Form or reach out to our our School’s Parent Coordinator or our School’s Pupil Accounting Secretary (please see below for their contact information):

Gisella Catarine

P.S. 211 Parent Coordinator

Phone: (929) 208-4860

Email: [email protected]

Lucy Ferreira

P.S. 211 Pupil Accounting Secretary

Phone: (929) 208-4860 Ext. 1054

Email: [email protected]

Find Out if Your Child is Eligible for School Transportation

Transportation eligibility is based on a student’s grade level, walking distance between home and school, and existing accommodations based on a medical condition, housing status, or safety assessment.

The New York City Department of Education has several Distance Codes that determine whether or not your child will be eligible for a Yellow School Bus or a MetroCard. 

Please see below for a breakdown of these Distance Codes based on the distance between the school and the child’s primary residence (please be advised that the list below is applicable ONLY for students in Kindergarten and Grades 1-5):

• Students in Kindergarten, 1st Grade or 2nd Grade:

• Distance Code A: Less than 0.5 miles from the school - NOT ELIGIBLE
• Distance Code B: 0.5 miles or more, but less than 1 mile from the school - Eligible for a School Bus or a MetroCard
• Distance Code C: 1 mile or more, but less than 1.5 miles from the school - Eligible for a School Bus or a MetroCard
• Distance Code D: 1.5 miles or more from the school - Eligible for a School Bus or a MetroCard

• Students in 3rd Grade, 4th Grade or 5th Grade:

• Distance Code A: Less than 0.5 miles from the school - NOT ELIGIBLE
• Distance Code B: 0.5 miles or more, but less than 1 mile from the school - Eligible for a MetroCard ONLY
• Distance Code C: 1 mile or more, but less than 1.5 miles from the school - Eligible for a School Bus or a MetroCard
• Distance Code D: 1.5 miles or more from the school - Eligible for a School Bus or a MetroCard

Will Your Child Be Assigned to a Yellow Bus or Receive a MetroCard?

Students that meet the criteria above and are eligible for a School Bus or a MetroCard will also have to meet a few additional requirements to determine whether they will be assigned to a School Bus or receive a MetroCard.

Students are assigned a Yellow School Bus if:

• The student is in grades K-6

• The student lives in the same district as the school (if attending a public school) or the same borough (if attending a non-public or charter school, or a citywide Gifted & Talented program)

• The student's school has yellow bus service available for all eligible students

• A bus stop within the student’s grade/distance eligibility exists or can be added to accommodate the student.

Note: Students using this type of transportation are assigned to a safe predetermined bus stop at an intersection. Students use the same stop both in the morning and the afternoon. 

This means that the Yellow School Bus WILL NOT be stopping directly in front of your residence and someone will have to be waiting for your child at the designated bus stop.

For students that do not meet the Yellow School Bus criteria listed above will receive a MetroCard.

Students are provided MetroCards if:

• The student is in grades K-12

• Yellow bus service is not available or if a new stop cannot be added for the student; in this case, a MetroCard can be issued upon request

• MetroCards are distributed to all students in grades 7-12;

MetroCards are distributed by our school so please reach out to our School’s Parent Coordinator or our School’s Pupil Accounting Secretary if you would like to see if you’re eligible for a Metro Card:

Gisella Catarine

P.S. 211 Parent Coordinator

Phone: (929) 208-4860

Email: [email protected]

Lucy Ferreira

P.S. 211 Pupil Accounting Secretary

Phone: (929) 208-4860 Ext. 1054

Email: [email protected]

Please be advised that under certain circumstances the New York City Department of Education may grant an exception to the eligibility requirements listed above. 

The types of exceptions are:

• Temporary Housing Exception

• • • Includes shelters, domestic violence shelters, families living with others due to economic or financial hardship (doubled-up), and transitioning to permanent housing

• Foster Care Exception

• Joint Custody Exception

• Victim of a Crime Exception

• Order of Protection Exception

• Hazard Exception

Options for Students Regarding School Transportation

As you saw in the information mentioned above our students actually have several ways that they can get to and from school. 

If you would like to learn more about School Transportation and get additional information such as a list of all of the Bus Companies Available for School-Age Children or even a Transportation Guide for Families then please be sure to visit New York City Department of Education’s Transportation page which can be accessed using the preceding links or button(s) below:

If you have any additional questions or would like further information, feel free to contact Ms. Gisella Catarine, our school’s Parent Coordinator, at 929-260-0084 or through our various communication apps such as our EDLIO phone application.