In New York, school classes can be held on the street

In the coming days, New York City school leaders are to submit plans for outdoor classes to the City Department of Education. This was reported on the website of the TV channel NY1.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has authorized outdoor education in schools due to the coronavirus pandemic. He announced this on Monday 24 August. “We know that holding classes outdoors will open up many opportunities,” said the mayor. This format of education, the mayor believes, is safer for both schoolchildren and teachers.

New York City school principals must develop and submit outdoor education plans by Friday, August 28th. In particular, they must determine the streets, parks and sports grounds where they can safely conduct classes.

The Department of Education noted that Friday's deadline is not final. School principals will be able to submit updated proposals before the start of the school year.

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Bill de Blasio was criticized by legislative and educational organizations. They believe that he presented his plan late - just 17 days before the students sit at school desks.

Mark Cannizzaro, President of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, also expressed his opinion on the matter. “While the idea of ​​outdoor education has real value, the city plan will not be implemented nearly as well as it could if the mayor just gave the directors the time and support they need,” he said.

The United Federation of Teachers was not complacent with de Blasio's statement. "The Mayor's proposed reopening plan is still not being implemented, especially with regard to the required testing," said President Michael Mulgrew.

But de Blasio claims he has given ample time to develop plans. He says the directors spent years organizing excursions and summers looking for open spaces. “The directors have a lot of experience working in the open air,” de Blasio said. "They are very creative."

City agencies such as transport and parks have been tasked with prioritizing implementation of the plan, Chancellor Richard Carranza said.

Neither de Blasio nor Carranza have specified how much the city will allocate to implement the plan, but are urging PTA governments in wealthier neighborhoods to donate money to help others buy needed equipment, such as tents. “A lot of what you have to do is not going to cost much,” de Blasio said. "It's pretty simple."

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It is noteworthy that this summer de Blasio repeatedly argued that organizing schoolchildren's education on the street is impossible. Although lawmakers and teachers have long been trying to persuade the mayor to agree to outdoor lessons. Moreover, not all classrooms have the ability to organize ventilation and air conditioning, and there are fears that the virus can easily spread in enclosed spaces. As of 24 August, it is still not known what percentage of schools have solved ventilation problems.

De Blasio promised to inform parents about the city's childcare facilities later this week. “We're going to do a great job,” said de Blasio. "We're going to invest in our children this fall."