Parents and students learned more about what to expect before the big first day of school on Thursday, as they joined Department of Education Chancellor David Banks and officials for a roundtable.  

The premier issue that was discussed was the commute for many students, as ongoing talks about a potential bus strike continue with no resolution in sight yet.  

Banks says that the NYC school bus union, Amalgamated Transit Union 1181 (ATU), has confirmed that they will not be on strike for Thursday or Friday, and that this ongoing stalemate is not between the city and the union, but the bus companies and the union.  

“The DOE is not at the bargaining table for this agreement,” said Banks. “We want to make parents and families aware that they may experience some disruptions to busing.”  

The DOE spelled out its contingency plan for the approximately 60,000 NYC students that would be impacted if the strike becomes a reality, including giving out emergency MetroCards and prepaid rideshare options if needed.  

DOE officials also discussed the expected influx of migrant students as well as new safety measures that the agency will be taking this year, including the implementation of a new door-lock mechanic at all elementary schools that will be at all schools by year’s end.