New School Year in New York: Every School Will Have a Nurse

The mayor of New York refused to postpone the opening of schools in the city, but promised that there will be a certified nurse in each educational institution. The details were shared by the edition abc7NY.

At the start of the school year, every school in New York will have a registered nurse. This was announced on August 13 by the mayor of the city, Bill de Blasio, in response to calls from school principals to postpone the start of full-time education.

The teachers' union on Wednesday, August 12, wrote a letter to the city's mayor and school chancellor, Richard Carranza, asking him to postpone the start of training for 1,1 million students until at least September 10. In a letter to the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, it says that they still have no answers to many questions, and teachers do not have enough time to prepare - they have less than 15 working days to do this. "The challenge they face simply cannot be met while ensuring a safe and secure learning environment," the letter said.

According to a spokesman for the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the union is convinced that the city's Department of Education should postpone the reopening of schools. Michael Mulgrew, President of UFT, released a statement that said: “UFT has repeatedly stated that we cannot reopen schools if they are not safe for students and staff. The directors' union, whose members will be responsible for enforcing safety protocols related to the coronavirus, now believes that school buildings will not be ready to open in September. In this crisis, we need both security and sanity. Are parents ready to send their children to a school whose principal believes the building is not ready to open because it is unsafe? "

On the morning of August 13, hoping to allay some concerns, Bill de Blasio announced that a certified nurse would be present in every school building. Health + Hospitals (the corporation that operates hospitals in New York. - Ed.) came to the rescue, ”the mayor said. He added that H + H will employ contracted nurses who will be present in schools from the first day of the school year.

The mayor declined to postpone the start of the school year and said the city's infection rate was one of the lowest in the country. This, he said, makes it safe to open schools.

On the subject: Classroom lunches and an abbreviated day: how New York students will learn from fall

If the spread of the virus begins to rise, the schools will be closed again, the mayor said.

A Department of Education spokesperson released the following statement: “CSA and UFT know that we will only open our doors if we meet the strictest standards set by any school district in the country, and that health and safety has always been the driving force behind our work. ".

The city's plan to reopen schools in the fall provides for a combination of full-time and distance learning. Bill de Blasio said on Monday that 74% (more than 700 students) chose a blended learning format. 26% of students preferred distance learning exclusively. The mayor said that this is in line with a poll conducted earlier this summer.

About 15% of teachers have asked to be allowed to work remotely, and the city is now considering approving their applications.

On Friday night, August 14, New York presented to the state reopening plan... Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Aug.10 that a plan for 1800 schools is pending.

The plan includes spot temperature checks for students and teachers, and a 14-day quarantine for anyone who tests positive for the coronavirus. It is worth noting that other large school systems have phased out full-time education in recent weeks. Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Houston have announced they will begin the school year with distance learning.

Students will be told what their curriculum will be starting next Monday, August 17th. And Chancellor Carranza said that everyone will receive their schedules by next week, August 24th.

And while the Governor of New York said that all schools can safely conduct face-to-face classes, many teachers are concerned. Some buildings do not have heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; there are fears that the virus can spread easily indoors.

Carranza assured that classes that have problems with ventilation will not be used. Bill de Blasio added that classrooms will be opened whenever possible for better ventilation and for greater safety. He stressed that if the incidence rate reaches 3%, then "we will study remotely."

On the subject: Classroom lunches and an abbreviated day: how New York students will learn from fall

To provide students with access to distance learning, the city purchased 321 iPads equipped with T-mobile data, which does not require a Wi-Fi connection.

One councilor asked why the city hadn't bought cheaper, full-featured laptops. One teacher said he found it difficult to use digital software and online learning software.

Carranza advised those who have difficulty using certain programs to turn to the Teach Hub, created to support students and teachers. Detailed information about this portal is posted https://www.izakayasushilounge.com Department of Education of the city.

Recall that the last time school classes in New York were held on March 13. After that, a pandemic of coronavirus infection swept the entire city, and by March 18, all educational institutions in the city were closed.

And although the situation in New York is now under control, the virus has not receded. In July, about 10 New Yorkers tested positive for COVID-19.