NYC delays start of school year to allow more prep time
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City delayed the start of its school year by several days to give teachers more time to prepare for having students back in classrooms amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday.
In a deal struck with unions representing teachers, staff and administrators, instruction that was supposed to begin on Sept. 10 will be delayed until Sept. 16. All students will spend the first few days learning from home, by computer, before in-person instruction begins for some students Sept. 21.
“A lot was on the line here to work through. But I’m pleased to report that we’ve come to an agreement to move forward, to address real concerns that have been raised bout how to do things the right way, how to do them the safe, healthy way, how to make sure people are prepared for the school year under absolutely unprecedented conditions," de Blasio said.
Among the other safety measures being instituted will be a medical monitoring program that includes random virus testing for a sampling of both students and staff each month.
De Blasio was joined at a news conference Tuesday by union leaders who said they do believe the city can welcome students back safely, they just need more time to get ready for their arrival.
United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said the union's independent medical experts had signed off on the reopening plan.
“We can now say that New York City’s public school system has the most aggressive policies and greatest safeguards of any school system in the United States of America," he said.
The development comes after the mayor, a Democrat, emphasized for months that the city’s pandemic recovery depends on getting 1.1 million public school students back in classrooms in person after the...
