COVID Forces Yonkers Schools To Return To Remote Learning

YONKERS, NY — Yonkers is the first "big five" school district and the largest New York school system yet to announce a temporary return to remote instruction during the current omicron-fueled surge in COVID-19 cases.

The district embarked on a massive COVID-19 testing program for students and faculty this week as a means to gauge the risk of returning to the classroom on Monday as planned. The results were not encouraging.

In a letter to families, Superintendent Edwin Quezada said that the district would not return to in-person classes until Jan. 10.

"The past week, there has been a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases in our community and in our schools," Quezada wrote, announcing the decision. "More people are required to quarantine due to illness or exposure to COVID. Because of these circumstances, our schools will be full Remote Learning next week, January 3rd through the 7th. This decision was made because we will never compromise the health and well-being of our students and staff under any circumstances."

Quezada said that while students won't be returning to classrooms just yet, teachers and administrators will be teaching remote classes from their respective schools. He added that while the district has a proven remote learning model, "it may take a day or more to put everything in place."

The move is something of an abrupt departure from the district's firm stance just a few days ago that in-person classes could and would resume safely as scheduled.

"COVID-19 rapid testing today from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m at Hostos, Roosevelt & Gorton for Yonkers Schools students & staff," Quezada wrote in his prior social media post dated Dec. 29. "Masks are required. Let's return to school safely on Monday!"

The full text of Quezada's letter to students and staff dated December 31, 2021 can be read below:

The past week, there has been a significant increase in positive COVID-19 cases in our community and in our schools. More people are required to quarantine due to illness or exposure to COVID. Because of these circumstances, our schools will be full Remote Learning next week, January 3rd through the 7th. This decision was made because we will never compromise the health and well-being of our students and staff under any circumstances.

We are confident in our current Remote Learning process that has been working well over the past three months for the classes that have been quarantined. Please remember we are returning from a long recess, and it may take a day or more to put everything in place. Be patient and respectful as our school administrators and teachers prepare for your child’s instruction.

Information about Online Remote Learning is available on the District and school websites.
To ensure your family is prepared for Remote Learning, every child must have use of an electronic device, such as a computer, laptop or tablet, with Internet access. If you do not have a device or Internet access, please contact your child’s principal on Monday, January 3rd. Our administrators, teachers and support staff will all be working from their respective schools to provide remote instruction and can be available via email.

On Monday, your child’s teacher or principal will reach out to students in grades 1 through 12 using Teams, and grades prekindergarten and kindergarten using Seesaw.

On a different note, please understand that on Monday, January 3rd, you will receive information about the distribution of free COVID-19 Home Test provided by the Governor. Every student in the district will be able to pick up a home test at their respective school.

Thank you for your continued support as we work through the impact and disruptions of COVID-19.

Stay well. I look forward to seeing our students back in school on Monday, January 10th, 2022.

Sincerely,

Dr. Edwin M. Quezada