Musical buses & other school news NYC's largest school bus operator, Atlantic Express, recently filed for bankruptcy, and there was concern that many students would be left without transportation come the New Year. But it looks like the wheels on the buses will continue to go round and round since Atlantic is selling off its routes to other bus companies. Just to be sure your child isn't left bus-less, visit the Department of Ed's site for updates starting on Friday, December 27.

NYC parents lost a guiding light in navigating NYC's complicated school system with the December 20 passing of InsideSchool's Judy Baum. In the 1980s, she worked as a researcher for the Public Education Association and founded the Good Schools Exchange, which eventually morphed into InsideSchools. Her column Ask Judy will definitely be missed.

Openings & closings The soon-to-open Rockaway YMCA will boast the largest aquatic center of all the Ys in NYC—yes, even bigger than the one housed in the just-opened Coney Island YMCA. Set to open on February 14, the $23 million, 44,000-square-foot Arverne YMCA will feature a 6,500-square-foot wellness center and two pools: one with a shallow end and a deep end with a slide, the other a lap pool that goes as deep as nine feet.
Also new in Queens: family-friendly Forest Hills restaurant Twist and Smash'd. Our Queens blogger, Kelly, went to check it out with her family and says that it's casual, fast and great for kids. Specialties include "twisted" potatoes on a stick (regular, sweet and mini-baby potatoes), as well as burgers and breakfast. Gluten-free options are available, as are vegan, with meats and vegetables prepared on separate grills. The frying oil is changed daily and recycled as part of Twist and Smash'd's commitment to being green.

Meanwhile, Bklyn Beast, the Williamsburg parkour and capoeira gym we raved about in February, abruptly closed its doors this month. The owners hope to reopen in a new location, so watch their website for updates.

Second acts are possible: Storefront Science, which closed its brick-and-mortar space in Washington Heights earlier this year, has reinvented itself as a traveling program rebranded StoSci on the Go. You can find info on new classes and after-school programs on the website.

Dancing in the streets On Saturday, January 11 at 1:30pm, Dancewave in Brooklyn is holding auditions for children ages seven and up interested in applying for need and merit-based scholarships. No experience is necessary: Prospective students will attend a sample modern dance class during which teachers will observe how they move to music. Qualified applicants will receive financial assistance up to 50% off. Find all the details on the Dancewave website.

Another dance-related deal: Radio City Music Hall is offering discounted tickets to preview performances of its brand-new spring spectacle Heart and Lights starring the Rockettes. As we previously noted, it's got quite a pedigree and features numbers inspired by famous NYC landmarks.

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