What the Delay of NYC Schools Means for NYC Students

By: Layla Hussein | Editor's Choice

​After spending almost half of 2020 with uncertainty, trepidation, and boredom, all while in quarantine, the world is still expected to carry on with our lives, with one of the first priorities being education. Schools in many states have finalized their decision on remote and in-person learning, as most of them already have class in session. But with NYC—the nation that owns the largest school system with some of the highest rates of minorities enrolled—the notion of school is still up in the air.

While there was no set date to reopen school, the NYC DOE planned that September 10th was the “goal” to start the 2020—2021 school year. As safety is the utmost concern, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza, and Governor Andrew Cuomo have worked diligently to establish plans during the limited time span of the summer. During the last few weeks of August, a ventilation plan was announced to assure the safety of NYC school buildings. The team consisted of ventilation experts and licensed engineers who oversaw fans, supply, windows, and the overall quality of a single room. Rooms that did not have adequate ventilation nor passed inspection will not be used for the school year.

During these inspections, videos of their specific equipment have surfaced, instilling dismay among NYC educators. With a budget of $80 billion, New York City is using toilet paper to weigh the welfare of 1.1 million students and 75,000 teachers, as seen in a video obtained by PIX11 News. A toilet paper and a yardstick were used to measure air flow. A school worker released the video to express their sheer concern over the ventilation testing that is deemed as credible due to the DOE’s “licensed professionals''. However, the Mayor asserted that this method was in fact recommended by the CDC itself.

​Additionally, the DOE introduced an outdoor learning plan for schools to utilize the school’s nearby parks, streets, and yards. Neighborhoods that have been hardest hit by COVID-19, as well as schools that do not have outdoor space, will be prioritized by de Blasio to provide the best learning environment for NYC residents of all economic backgrounds.

"It’s great to be outdoors in general, but we also know that the disease does not spread the same outdoors. We’ve seen that over and over. So, we want to give schools the option to do as much outdoors as they can," the Mayor said.

While this unique plan may bring benefits, school principals have expressed their concerns, not only due to the announcement of a late plan with school starting in a few weeks, but also with how quick principals have to submit an outdoor learning plan.

“Once again, the city and DOE have made decisions, rolled out guidance and announced a deadline far too late and haphazardly for school leaders to develop and implement a thoughtful and well-constructed plan,” Council of School Supervisors and Administrators president Mark Cannizzaro said in a statement Monday.

Queens Councilman Costa Constantinides also expressed his concerns towards the outdoor learning plan.

“For weeks we have begged the City to consider outdoor learning as a crucial tool for keeping students who must learn in-person safe, only to be rebuffed,” he said. “While I’m glad we have finally seen some movement for open classrooms, it comes less than three weeks before in-person learning will begin.”

As every week in the summer brought a new unexpected announcement from the DOE, it was recently announced that the expected date to return to school is delayed due to concerns from labor unions like the UFT and CSA, who expressed that teachers and principals did not have enough time to prepare for the health, safety and instructional challenges for the unprecedented school year. September 21st is now deemed to be the first day to reopen NYC schools, adding 10 extra days from what was supposed to be September 10th.

​To many, this is a step towards a right direction. A step to fulfill the safety requirements of NYC schools and guarantee that NYC school buildings will be at its best state for students, educators, and staff workers.

But how have NYC students felt throughout this whole process?

Image retrieved from CNN

Students typically spend the summer preparing for the upcoming school year, but due to the fact that we have no clue on what to expect, we are anxious. The editors of YCteen Magazine, a magazine written by NYC teens, interviewed 8 NYC teenagers on their thoughts for returning back to school. While they all have unique challenges in regards to personal health conditions and even learning preferences, a common theme throughout all answers was a shared emotion of anxiety.

15-year-old Santhana Pierre misses attending school to see her friends, but with her having anemia, as well as her family members having underlying sickness, school would put her and her family at a higher risk for COVID-19. “For me, returning in person represents crowded hallways, interaction, and ignorant kids who will take off their masks.”

“While I wish I could go back to school to see my friends, classmates, and teachers, I don’t think going back to school in September is a good idea,” says Meagan Zullo, a 16-year-old attending a high school in Brooklyn. “I suffer from asthma, which makes me high-risk.”

While NYC was the epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak to now having some of the lowest cases nationwide, 16-year-old Helen Chen still does not feel ready to return to in-person learning. “With cases still rising across the country, the problem is not over yet.”

In some high schools like Townsend Harris High School, the DOE budget cuts are even affecting the number of electives students can take. Students from the school actively encourage others to choose remote learning if they have the resources because not only is it the safest option, but it is the best learning option.

Image via Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

Whether you are doing blended or remote learning, school is going to happen nonetheless, whether we like it or not. Here is a quick of synopsis of important information to know before the school year starts:

●  If positive COVID-19 tests in NYC are equal to or more than 3% using a 7-day rolling average, NYC schools will switch to 100% remote learning. Even if cases were to remain low, recurrent uncontrolled outbreaks in schools would cause NYC school buildings to close.
●  The DOE released the 2020-2021 school calendar, noting that September 16th is the first day of remote learning for all students regardless of your selected learning preference, with September 21st acting as the first day of instruction for in-person learning.
● New York City public school teachers, students, and staff will be subject to random coronavirus testing throughout the school year, beginning October 1st. The self-swab test, not the long Q-tip according to de Blasio, will be free of charge with results available within 48 hours. Parental consent is required if a student is under 18, and if no consent is given, the student is required to do remote learning instruction.

You can go here to learn more about what to expect for the 2020-2021 upcoming school year.