DOE Reveals Fall Reopening Plans for NYC Schools

We’ve heard from you—now it’s your turn to hear from us.

Earlier this week, Chancellor Richard Carranza announced that NYC public schools are planning to transition to a blended learning model for the start of the 2020–2021 school year. Blended learning combines the remote learning work City schools utilized this past spring with the more traditional, on-site, in-person instruction at school that we all love.

Some of the details about the new blended learning model include:

• Students will continue to learn five days a week;

• School buildings will require physical distancing and facial coverings at all times (where developmentally appropriate);

• Increased access to handwashing soap, disinfectant wipes, and sanitizer across all school buildings;

• School buildings will be deep cleaned on a nightly basis;

• The DOE has developed five schedule options for schools to choose among — families will be notified of their student’s specific schedule in August;

• The DOE will soon host a series of Family and Information Sessions throughout the summer beginning on July 16 to talk with families about the DOE’s reopening plans. More info will be available soon; and

• Any family can opt for an all-remote learning model. Families can opt-in for remote learning by filling out our official Learning Preference web form. 

Getting to this point was no easy task; any plan we come up with has to balance all of the ongoing guidance we’re receiving from City, State, and federal health authorities with the feedback we are getting from students, families, and staff members about the upcoming year. In addition, our plans have to be nimble enough to make it through whatever challenges the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic will throw our way this year—after all, we now know just how quickly things can change from one month to the next.

Regardless of which plans our schools eventually choose by the fall, it is clear that the 2020–2021 school year will be unlike any other.

For more information about the City’s school opening plans this fall, check out the DOE’s new Return to School 2020 webpage, and keep checking back all summer long for updates. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Morning Bell for regular updates straight from the DOE about NYC public schools, including the latest news about school reopenings!