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On July 8, Mayor Bill de Blasio began his press briefing by addressing one of NYC families' biggest concerns: "Will schools reopen in September?"
The answer? Yes and no. The Mayor revealed that the fall term will be a mix of remote and in-person learning. Parents will also have the option to enroll their children solely in remote learning if they so choose.
"We're going to move forward according to the data, according to the science," he said.
Join us at City Hall. https://t.co/dr0NYe7tJO
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) July 8, 2020
Students will be learning five days per week and physically in the building two to three days per week. The vast majority of schools will be able to follow this plan, however, buildings with overcrowding issues will be forced to operate differently. Following the mayor's announcement, Chancellor Richard Carranza outlined safety measures that will be in place come the fall: smaller class sizes, the usage of larger spaces for classes, face mask requirements for students and staff, social distancing measures, nightly cleanings and so on. Later in the day, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that schools reopening will be a state decision (not federal) and an announcement will be made the first week of August.
The federal government does not decide if NYS schools reopen — the state does.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 8, 2020
We will make that decision based on the science and the data.
A decision will be announced in the first week of August.
Time will tell how this new normal will unfold, and plans are subject to change.
“As we continue to plan for September, we’re developing plans that prioritize the health and safety of our communities while giving schools the flexibility to maximize in-person instruction, and providing parents with clear and consistent schedules,” Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza said in a statement. “These are tough decisions with no perfect solutions, and we’ll continue to stay in close contact with schools and families to provide updates and guidance as the pandemic evolves and we move closer to the first day of school.”
Check back frequently, as we plan to update this page as more information becomes available. In the meantime, explore these summer activities, outdoor activities and free things to do.
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