This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/nyregion/coronavirus-nyc-schools.html

The article has changed 51 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Pressure to Close School System, Nation’s Largest Coronavirus in N.Y.C.: Pressure to Close School System, Nation’s Largest
(about 2 hours later)
As leaders across the country have shut down school districts to curb the spread of coronavirus, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo have come under growing pressure from elected officials, public health experts, teachers and parents to do the same in New York City. Across the country, school districts have shut down to curb the spread of coronavirus. But in New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo have resisted doing so, despite facing mounting demands.
The latest to do so was the City Council speaker, Corey Johnson, who on Friday morning called on the city to temporarily close it schools. “It is not time to panic,” he wrote on Twitter. “But it is time to act.” The pressure has come from elected officials like the City Council speaker, Corey Johnson, who on Friday called on the city to temporarily close it schools. “It is not time to panic,” he wrote on Twitter. “But it is time to act.”
Not more than an hour later, Success Academy, New York City’s largest charter school network, announced it would close its schools to its 18,000 students and transition to online learning. It has come from public health experts; three dozen infectious disease experts in New York signed a letter on Thursday calling on the mayor to close all schools.
And it has come from the collected actions of other school leaders: On Friday, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn said that its Catholic elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens will be closed next week, affecting more than 41,000 students at 228 elementary schools. Hours earlier, Success Academy, New York City’s largest charter school network, announced it would close its schools to its 18,000 students and transition to online learning.
Yet the vast majority of the city’s 1,800 public schools are still up and running, and leaders here have insisted that they will remain open as long as possible.Yet the vast majority of the city’s 1,800 public schools are still up and running, and leaders here have insisted that they will remain open as long as possible.
“We are going to fight tooth and nail to protect our school system,” Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday, adding, “we are going to do our damnedest to keep the schools open.”“We are going to fight tooth and nail to protect our school system,” Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday, adding, “we are going to do our damnedest to keep the schools open.”
Mr. Cuomo, who is responsible for schools across the state, including New York City, said on Thursday that evidence from other countries was unclear about whether children were carriers of the virus, and said schools would remain open. Still, both leaders have said the city and state were planning for all potential scenarios, including mass closure.Mr. Cuomo, who is responsible for schools across the state, including New York City, said on Thursday that evidence from other countries was unclear about whether children were carriers of the virus, and said schools would remain open. Still, both leaders have said the city and state were planning for all potential scenarios, including mass closure.
Shutting city schools would likely lead to a broader shutdown of the city, and the decision would be more far-reaching in New York than in any other major American city.Shutting city schools would likely lead to a broader shutdown of the city, and the decision would be more far-reaching in New York than in any other major American city.
Over ten thousand schools across America — including the urban school districts of Seattle and Washington D.C., along with every school in Michigan, Maryland and Ohio — are shuttered or about to close as the coronavirus spreads rapidly throughout the country. Those schools together educate many millions of children.Over ten thousand schools across America — including the urban school districts of Seattle and Washington D.C., along with every school in Michigan, Maryland and Ohio — are shuttered or about to close as the coronavirus spreads rapidly throughout the country. Those schools together educate many millions of children.
But New York’s public school system dwarfs that of any other in the country: With 1.1 million children, it enrolls over 350,000 more students than the second-largest school district, Los Angeles Unified. The city also has a highly vulnerable student population, with about 750,000 students living at or below the poverty line, including roughly 114,000 who are homeless.
Get an informed guide to the global outbreak with our daily coronavirusGet an informed guide to the global outbreak with our daily coronavirus
newsletter. newsletter.
But New York’s public school system dwarfs that of any other in the country: With 1.1 million children, it enrolls over 350,000 more students than the second-largest school district, Los Angeles Unified. The city also has a highly vulnerable student population, with about 750,000 students living at or below the poverty line, including roughly 114,000 who are homeless.
While many local private schools and universities have already switched to online learning, that presents its own set of challenges for New York’s public school students, since nearly one million households in the city lack internet access. Mr. de Blasio has said that the city is preparing some options for remote learning, but that it is not the city’s “preference.”While many local private schools and universities have already switched to online learning, that presents its own set of challenges for New York’s public school students, since nearly one million households in the city lack internet access. Mr. de Blasio has said that the city is preparing some options for remote learning, but that it is not the city’s “preference.”
There are at least 95 confirmed cases in New York City, but only one confirmed case of a city public school student. Public health experts have found so far that children have been less likely than adults to contract the disease, but could still spread it.There are at least 95 confirmed cases in New York City, but only one confirmed case of a city public school student. Public health experts have found so far that children have been less likely than adults to contract the disease, but could still spread it.
On Thursday, three dozen infectious disease experts in New York signed a letter calling on the mayor to close all schools. “There’s no ideal solution, we are comparing one bad thing with one potentially extraordinarily bad thing,” said Dr. Paul Bieniasz, a virologist and professor at Rockefeller University’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute who was one of the three dozen experts who signed the letter calling on the mayor to close schools.
“There’s no ideal solution, we are comparing one bad thing with one potentially extraordinarily bad thing,” said Dr. Paul Bieniasz, a virologist and professor at Rockefeller University’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
“The bottom line is that the potential consequences of not closing schools are really too horrible,” he added.“The bottom line is that the potential consequences of not closing schools are really too horrible,” he added.
While there is evidence that school closures helped slow the spread of disease in past pandemics, public health officials have dissenting views about how and whether school closures should be used to combat the coronavirus.While there is evidence that school closures helped slow the spread of disease in past pandemics, public health officials have dissenting views about how and whether school closures should be used to combat the coronavirus.
Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said she did not support mass closures in part because districts closing schools seemed to have no clear plan for how to handle the resulting disruption, or even when to reopen their schools.Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said she did not support mass closures in part because districts closing schools seemed to have no clear plan for how to handle the resulting disruption, or even when to reopen their schools.
“I don’t really understand what the endgame here is,” she said, adding that the two-week closures and cleaning days that some schools were adopting seemed arbitrary. “As soon as someone comes in and coughs, it’s not clean anymore.”“I don’t really understand what the endgame here is,” she said, adding that the two-week closures and cleaning days that some schools were adopting seemed arbitrary. “As soon as someone comes in and coughs, it’s not clean anymore.”
Schools would likely have to close for the extent of the epidemic, which could be many months, to be truly effective, she said.Schools would likely have to close for the extent of the epidemic, which could be many months, to be truly effective, she said.
“The public health benefits of closing schools to try to mitigate the impacts of this virus are not clear by any means,” Dr. Nuzzo said. “This is largely an experiment.”“The public health benefits of closing schools to try to mitigate the impacts of this virus are not clear by any means,” Dr. Nuzzo said. “This is largely an experiment.”
Dr. Theodora Hatziioannou, also a virologist and professor at Rockefeller, supports closures, but agreed that they would have to come with clear guidelines in order to be effective. “This doesn’t mean you roam around, it means you stay home.”Dr. Theodora Hatziioannou, also a virologist and professor at Rockefeller, supports closures, but agreed that they would have to come with clear guidelines in order to be effective. “This doesn’t mean you roam around, it means you stay home.”
The potential domino effect of mass school closures in New York is staggering.The potential domino effect of mass school closures in New York is staggering.
The mayor said on Thursday that the three things the city was most concerned about preserving were its schools, mass transit and health care, which provide essential lifelines for the city’s most vulnerable, in particular, and are tightly linked.The mayor said on Thursday that the three things the city was most concerned about preserving were its schools, mass transit and health care, which provide essential lifelines for the city’s most vulnerable, in particular, and are tightly linked.
A public hospital nurse, for example, would likely not be able to stay home from work even if her child was home from school. And home health aides who have children enrolled in public schools provide crucial support for elderly New Yorkers, who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.A public hospital nurse, for example, would likely not be able to stay home from work even if her child was home from school. And home health aides who have children enrolled in public schools provide crucial support for elderly New Yorkers, who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
“The downsides are very well known: We know kids will miss meals, we know parents will have to stay home, including health care workers,” said Mark Levine, a Manhattan city councilman who chairs the Council’s health committee. Mr. Levine said he had spoken to hospital presidents who have said they are worried about a potential staffing shortage if public schools are shut.“The downsides are very well known: We know kids will miss meals, we know parents will have to stay home, including health care workers,” said Mark Levine, a Manhattan city councilman who chairs the Council’s health committee. Mr. Levine said he had spoken to hospital presidents who have said they are worried about a potential staffing shortage if public schools are shut.
Experts agreed that it would be difficult to shut schools without other severe restrictions on city life, including strong encouragement or even a requirement to keep children at home, rather than simply excusing them from school.Experts agreed that it would be difficult to shut schools without other severe restrictions on city life, including strong encouragement or even a requirement to keep children at home, rather than simply excusing them from school.
The vulnerabilities of closings without strict social distancing measures are on display in Scarsdale, a New York City suburb where schools are closed until at least next week after a middle schoolteacher tested positive for the virus.The vulnerabilities of closings without strict social distancing measures are on display in Scarsdale, a New York City suburb where schools are closed until at least next week after a middle schoolteacher tested positive for the virus.
The district was receiving “reports of students gathering in large numbers and some posting their disregard for the risks associated with the current outbreak,” said Scarsdale’s school superintendent, Thomas Hagerman, in an email to parents on Wednesday. “Preventative measures are only effective if we embrace and implement them as a community.”The district was receiving “reports of students gathering in large numbers and some posting their disregard for the risks associated with the current outbreak,” said Scarsdale’s school superintendent, Thomas Hagerman, in an email to parents on Wednesday. “Preventative measures are only effective if we embrace and implement them as a community.”
Most public schools across the state remain open, with some major exceptions, including public schools in Scarsdale, East Ramapo, and New Rochelle in Westchester County, which is the epicenter of the state’s outbreak. Initially, only three New Rochelle public schools located in a one-mile “containment” zone closed earlier this week, but the entire district shut down on Friday following protests from families.Most public schools across the state remain open, with some major exceptions, including public schools in Scarsdale, East Ramapo, and New Rochelle in Westchester County, which is the epicenter of the state’s outbreak. Initially, only three New Rochelle public schools located in a one-mile “containment” zone closed earlier this week, but the entire district shut down on Friday following protests from families.
Inside New York City’s schools this week, educators were concerned and conflicted.Inside New York City’s schools this week, educators were concerned and conflicted.
“Thankfully, it’s not my decision,” said Liat Olenick, a teacher at the Brooklyn Arbor School in Williamsburg, of closure. “It’s a really hard one.”“Thankfully, it’s not my decision,” said Liat Olenick, a teacher at the Brooklyn Arbor School in Williamsburg, of closure. “It’s a really hard one.”
Ms. Olenick, who has a compromised immune system and is particularly concerned about the virus, said she endorsed a middle ground between complete closure and business as usual.Ms. Olenick, who has a compromised immune system and is particularly concerned about the virus, said she endorsed a middle ground between complete closure and business as usual.
That was the recommendation recently made by a group of local doctors and public health workers, who said schools could remain open as “centers for community aid” and “emergency child care” but not for students who receive adequate resources at home.That was the recommendation recently made by a group of local doctors and public health workers, who said schools could remain open as “centers for community aid” and “emergency child care” but not for students who receive adequate resources at home.
That option was also supported by several members of the City Council, including the education committee chairman, Mark Treyger. He called on officials to make a few select schools open only to students with medical needs and the children of health care professionals and emergency medical workers.That option was also supported by several members of the City Council, including the education committee chairman, Mark Treyger. He called on officials to make a few select schools open only to students with medical needs and the children of health care professionals and emergency medical workers.
“There is an extraordinary amount of fear from families,” said Mr. Treyger, who represents parts of Brooklyn.“There is an extraordinary amount of fear from families,” said Mr. Treyger, who represents parts of Brooklyn.
The vast majority of parents were still sending their children to school, though there was a notable dip in attendance. About 85 percent of city students attended school on Thursday, down from roughly 88 percent on Wednesday. The average daily attendance rate is nearly 92 percent.The vast majority of parents were still sending their children to school, though there was a notable dip in attendance. About 85 percent of city students attended school on Thursday, down from roughly 88 percent on Wednesday. The average daily attendance rate is nearly 92 percent.
By Friday morning, however, some school leaders were reporting significant drops in teacher and student attendance.By Friday morning, however, some school leaders were reporting significant drops in teacher and student attendance.
Michael Mulgrew, the president of New York’s influential teachers’ union, fielded calls from anxious educators all day. He stopped short of endorsing citywide closures, but said on Thursday that the union believed “all options to stop the spread of this virus should now be on the table.”Michael Mulgrew, the president of New York’s influential teachers’ union, fielded calls from anxious educators all day. He stopped short of endorsing citywide closures, but said on Thursday that the union believed “all options to stop the spread of this virus should now be on the table.”
The sense of growing alarm spread through schools across the five boroughs.The sense of growing alarm spread through schools across the five boroughs.
At Stuyvesant High School in Lower Manhattan, one of the city’s top public schools, teachers debated whether to continue to come into work. “We have reached a tipping point, where the reasons to close the schools outweigh the reasons not to close them,” said Annie Thoms, an English teacher at the school.At Stuyvesant High School in Lower Manhattan, one of the city’s top public schools, teachers debated whether to continue to come into work. “We have reached a tipping point, where the reasons to close the schools outweigh the reasons not to close them,” said Annie Thoms, an English teacher at the school.
Several public schools were thrown into chaos after conflicting reports of positive cases. On Thursday morning, city officials said they had closed two public schools in the South Bronx after a parent of a student reported that their child had tested positive.Several public schools were thrown into chaos after conflicting reports of positive cases. On Thursday morning, city officials said they had closed two public schools in the South Bronx after a parent of a student reported that their child had tested positive.
The two schools share a building, which was closed and deep-cleaned, as per the city’s protocol. But on Thursday evening, the city reported that the student in question did not, in fact, have the virus.The two schools share a building, which was closed and deep-cleaned, as per the city’s protocol. But on Thursday evening, the city reported that the student in question did not, in fact, have the virus.
A parent at Public School 107 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, tested positive for the virus and was in the school last week, said Brooklyn Councilman Brad Lander, who called on the city to close the school for at least a day.A parent at Public School 107 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, tested positive for the virus and was in the school last week, said Brooklyn Councilman Brad Lander, who called on the city to close the school for at least a day.
The education department declined; Mr. Lander said about 20 of the school’s 25 staff had already called in sick as of Thursday night.The education department declined; Mr. Lander said about 20 of the school’s 25 staff had already called in sick as of Thursday night.
On Friday morning, the city announced that seven additional schools across three campuses would be closed for at least a day.On Friday morning, the city announced that seven additional schools across three campuses would be closed for at least a day.
Jim Dwyer and Jeffery C. Mays contributed reporting.Jim Dwyer and Jeffery C. Mays contributed reporting.