NYC In-Person Learning Begins Again Amid Coronavirus Closures

NEW YORK CITY — Elementary in-person students returned — again — to classrooms after a pandemic winter recess.

But Monday’s back-to-school was far from complete. More than 100 schools citywide are under coronavirus closures and students other than pre-K, 3K, kindergarten, elementary and special needs remain fully remote.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, before students and teachers went on winter recess, said middle school students will be the next group to return to classrooms. A timeline for their return will be announced this month, he said.

Officials hope to avert another disruptive citywide school closure that shifts all students to fully remote, as happened in November.

Coronavirus cases across the city remain at months-long highs, but schools appear to be relatively safe.

The Department of Education reported 169 new cases in schools on Sunday. Under the city’s safety procedures, there are currently 370 classrooms closed because of coronavirus.

There are 30 schools under 24-hour closures and 100 schools shuttered for 14 days because of coronavirus cases.

Find more information on school closures here.