People stand in line as they wait for children to have their temperature taken before entering Public school 7 Louis F. Simeone in the Queens borough of New York, NY, December 8, 2020. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that public pre-K and elementary schools can return to in-person learning on Dec. 7., while middle and high schools remain closed; Schools were closed on Nov. 18 when the city surpassed the 3% infection rate threshold set by the Mayor de Blasio. (Photo by Anthony Behar/Sipa USA)
NY: Elementary Schools Reopen First In NYC
NEW YORK (77 WABC) — Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to have New York City’s public middle school students back in their classrooms on February 25th. About 62,000 students in grades 6 through 8 whose families have opted for in-person learning will return that day.
“Our schools have been remarkably safe, in fact the safest places in New York City,” Mr. de Blasio said during a news conference on Monday. “That’s why we know its time to bring back our middle-grade kids now.”
NYC Department of Education Chancellor Richard Carranza said the DOE will be conducting weekly COVID-19 tests in middle schools.
Carranza said air purifiers have been added in every middle school, and schools will continue working closely with the health department.
The city still does not have a plan to reopen its high schools.
