Friday Deadline For NYC Schools In-Person Opt-In Looms

NEW YORK CITY — Last chance time is coming up, New York City parents.

The deadline for public school parents to switch their children from fully remote and opt into in-person learning ends Friday.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday gave parents a stark final reminder.

“So I want to be really clear with parents: till the end of the day tomorrow, Friday, this should be the last chance to opt-in for this school year up till June,” he said.

School officials extended the opt-in deadline this week to give parents more time to grapple with a change in how and when schools close because of coronavirus infections.

Gone is the "two-case rule" that shuttered entire schools for 10 days if two or more positive cases were found. De Blasio said the city will go for a standard that is less disruptive for parents, students and educators.

School buildings now will close only if four cases are found within seven day that can be traced to a source at the school, de Blasio said Thursday.

He also said that all signs — especially with COVID-19 vaccinations increasing — point to the city's schools being back at "full strength" next school year in September.

"Every child who wants to be in school will be able to be in school five days a week," he said. "Everything we're seeing now points us in that direction. And we're particularly thrilled with the level of vaccination we're now seeing in the city, which is going to make it possible. We're absolutely confident in our goal, five million New Yorkers fully vaccinated in June. "

Parents can opt their children into in-person learning by clicking here.