FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRONX, NY – In response to the announcement that NYC Public Schools would reopen this coming September, Council Member Eric Dinowitz issued the following statement.

“As a former public school special education teacher, I know firsthand the concerns of parents, students and teachers, as we look ahead to the new school year with full-time in-person classroom learning. These are very difficult and uncertain times given the pandemic, and so many of my students struggled with their mental health as we faced isolations and learned remotely. I appreciate that a decision on schools reopening in the Fall was made in the Spring.” 

“Too often these important decisions have come with little to no notice or preparation, severely limiting teachers’ ability to plan meaningful lessons for our students, hampering administrators’ planning capabilities, and making it impossible for many families to meet their childcare needs or work schedules.  The fact that this announcement comes early allows for the Schools Chancellor to work with her administration, the Parents Associations, the UFT, and the Education Committee of the Council, of which I am a member. Together, seeking input from all parties, we can set a course for in class learning that can be safe and organized, and meet the physical and emotional needs of all families and public school staff in New York City.”

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