NYC Schools Can Hold Outdoor Classes During Reopening: Mayor

NEW YORK CITY — New York City’s back-to-school path will bring many classrooms outdoors as a way to stop the coronavirus’ spread.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday unveiled an “outdoor learning plan” that gives schools the option to shift classes outdoors, whether on their own property or, with city help, elsewhere.

The plan follows weeks of educators, parents, advocates and elected officials calling for the option to hold classes outside where the risk of infection is greatly lessened.

“We heard those voices that said can we do something different under these circumstances,” de Blasio said. “The answer is yes. This will apply to our public schools, our charter schools, private and religious schools, learning bridge schools, you name it. One standard for all.”

We’re bringing outdoor learning to our @NYCSchools.

Many parents and principals advocated for this. We heard you and we took action.https://t.co/8GukZdYvPk
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 24, 2020

De Blasio claimed New York City’s standards for reopening schools are among the strongest in the entire world — and backed it up with a presentation comparing the city’s standing to other places with low infection rate that were able to successfully reopen schools.

The city, for instance, holds a 3 percent infection rate threshold for closing schools, which is lower than the World Health Organization’s 5 percent level, de Blasio said.

Those arguments, as well as the outdoor learning plan, unfolded after weeks of educators and parents raising concerns about New York City schools reopening amid the pandemic.

De Blasio said the outdoor plans will “empower” principals to figure out the maximum amount they can do outdoors, de Blasio said.

“It’s up to them to figure out how to use school yards and anything that’s on school property that’s outdoors,” he said. “But we’re going to go farther — the Department of Education is going to work with principals to open up more space if that’s what they want. If that’s what they think will work for their school community, in certain cases we can close off streets for a period of time. In certain cases we can make space available in local parks.”

Schools in the 27 neighborhoods hardest hit by the coronavirus will get first priority for outdoor space options, de Blasio said. Officials will also work to give options to schools that don’t have much outdoor space of their own, he said.

The announcement received some positive reviews by officials who spent recent weeks pushing for such a move.

Glad to hear that our pleas for common sense use of outdoor space for our schools have been heard!

Streets, parks, and playgrounds will give schools much needed flexibility as they plan to safely bring our students and teachers together this fall. https://t.co/rZMyLheTah
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) August 24, 2020

But the Sergeants Benevolent Association, a police union and one of de Blasio’s most prominent critics, seemed to dismiss the plan out of hand.

“Ignore him,” the SBA tweeted.

New OUTDOOR learning plan...DO NOT LISTEN TO ANYTHING DEBLASIO SAYS! Ignore him. https://t.co/Mg4UXfkiBG
— SBA (@SBANYPD) August 24, 2020

Comptroller Scott Stringer, who supported outdoor classes, questioned the timing.

"Why wasn't this decision made weeks ago?" he tweeted. "Parents need time to plan—and educators need time to implement these policies successfully."

Chancellor Richard Carranza said school officials will work with their sister agencies to cut through bureaucratic red tape to open up spaces. Principals who submit plans by Aug. 28 will receive an answer by Sept. 4, if not sooner, Carranza said.