NYC Mayor Says Schools Will Be Reopened In The Fall With A Hybrid Approach That Includes In-person And Remote Learning

NEW YORK (AP) — Most New York City students will return to their physical schools two or three days a week and learn online the rest of the time under a plan announced Wednesday by Mayor Bill de Blasio, who said schools can’t accommodate all their students at any one time and maintain safe social distancing.

“Most schools will not be able to have all their kids in school at the same time,” de Blasio said.

De Blasio said parents will have the option of online-only instruction for their children, but he said 75% of parents who answered a survey want their children in school in September.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said several times that the decision whether to open schools is his to make. De Blasio said the city would work closely “every step of the way with the state of New York.”

New York City’s school buildings were closed in March when nonessential businesses were shuttered to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

De Blasio said online-only instruction “has been really fantastic for certain students,” but many others lacked internet access or devices to access their online classes.

Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza said new protocols for September will include face coverings for students and staff, and nightly deep cleaning of schools.

The city’s public school system, with 1.1 million people, is by far the nation’s largest.