File Photo
PS 207 in Howard Beach.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza have been roundly ripped for their decision on Nov. 18 to close schools as NYC looks to battle a second COVID-19 attack.
“We spent some time confirming it and double checking it, because it is exactly on the number of 3.00 percent. But unfortunately, as of today, on our seven-day rolling average for coronavirus positivity, New York City had exactly 3.0 percent, and, as a result, we do need to close our schools for the coming days,” de Blasio announced last Wednesday. “No one is happy about this decision, we all in-fact are feeling very sad about this decision, because so much good work has been put into keeping the schools open—and opening them up to begin with, let’s start there—opening the schools when almost no other major school system in America opened making them so safe. But we set a very clear standard and we need to stick to that standard, and I want to emphasize to parents, to educators, to staff, to kids that we intend to come back and come back as quickly as possible.”
Statements blasting the de Blasio administration’s move to shutter schools poured into The Forum.
“As a public school parent, I am angry about the leadership that failed to make it possible to keep schools safe and open. And while our kids will no longer have access to in-person instruction, people are still dining indoors, going to gyms, and working in non-essential offices. This does not pass the common sense test,” City Comptroller Scott Stringer said. “Thousands of families, including mine, will continue to muddle our way through this school year, and Elyse and I are enormously grateful to the boys’ teachers and their colleagues throughout the city.”
Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York Executive Director Jennifer March said, “As news rolls out today about a system-wide shutdown of New York City schools starting Thursday, CCC remains deeply concerned about the health and social-emotional well-being of our City’s students during this time, as well as the quality of remote learning they will receive. School closures disrupt the lives of children and the capacity of parents to work, and have a particularly devastating impact on the most vulnerable populations of students, such as students with special needs, students living in temporary housing, and English-language learners. These challenges are compounded by the fact that many households across New York City still lack remote learning devices, access to WiFi, cellular data service, or adequate technological support needed for successful remote engagement.”
State Sen. Brian Benjamin (D-Manhattan), also a candidate for City Comptroller, added, “This abrupt decision will put unnecessary stress on working families and students in schools that have low positivity rates in geographic areas with low positivity rates. These schools should have remained open. Once the schools are closed, New York City parents deserve a clear reopening plan with transparent criteria, which includes aggressive testing and appropriate protocols to ensure that schools will remain safe. Also, the State and City need to have the same methodology for determining positivity rates to reduce confusion to parents and the broader community.”
