Your contention is that all of these children on Staten Island are without the means to travel to "the mall, friend's houses, sports events, concerts, etc." as well as to Mass, and that they are only transported to school cause it is state-mandated?
Now, I haven't been to Staten Island personally, but I bet if I went I'd see children at all off these places.
SD
I haven't been to Staten Island either, so I wouldn't speculate about who goes where. (I personally don't know any people who drive their children at the children's wishes. But that may be just me.)