Some NYC students to head back to class as in-person learning resumes
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The first day of school was in person for just 90,000 students as New York City's Pre K, 3-K, and special education schools opened their doors Monday.
"Those 90,000 plus students still are the largest number of students starting in person anywhere in the country," Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza told Eyewitness News Monday morning. "So it's important for us to get it right. And it's important for us to make sure everyone is safe and secure as they start in-person learning."
A total of 734 schools are opening open for in-person learning this week, Mayor Bill de Blasio said, and 1,050 community based early childhood education programs also begin.
Learning bridges, which involves 3,600 preschoolers in the program at the beginning, also got underway, and families can continue to apply as seats open up.
The rest of the city's 1.1 million students started virtually Monday, and those who will attend classes in person will go back to their school buildings next week.
Elementary school buildings open on Tuesday Sept. 29, and middle and high schools two days later on Thursday Oct. 1.
The city delayed the start of in-person learning for a second time following an hours-long meeting Wednesday at City Hall with the mayor and representatives of the unions that represent teachers and administrators including principals.
They concluded that there weren't enough teachers to staff the classrooms for when students return. The delay will give the education department more time to work out staffing.
The number of students opting out of in-person learning has steadily increased since parents were given that option in early summer.
Forty-two percent of students will start the year virtually, according to the city's latest count.
Most students who attend in-person classes will do so under a hybrid schedule.
The city says students should report to school according to their specific blended learning schedules and parents can check with their child's school to see when they should report.
MORE INFO: NYC Department of Education
Here are the schedule details:
On Monday, 3-K, Pre-K, and early education sites will open including District 75 for special education.
Children who are enrolled in fully remote programs will still begin full-day instruction.
Children in blended learning will be learning remotely until their in-person start date.
All Elementary Schools (K-5 and K-8) including students in Grades 6-8 in K-8 schools: In-Person Learning begins on Tuesday, September 29
Middle Schools (Grades 6-8): In-Person Learning begins on Thursday, October 1
High Schools (Grades 9-12): In-Person Learning begins on Thursday, October 1
Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12): In-Person Learning begins on Thursday, October 1
Transfer Schools, Adult Education, Evening Schools: In-Person Learning begins on Thursday, October 1
K-2 and K-3 Schools: In-Person Learning begins on Tuesday, September 29
Stay informed with ABC7's NYC COVID-19 positivity rate tracker
K-12 Schools:
Grades K-8: In-Person Learning begins on Tuesday, September 29
Grades 9-12: In-Person Learning begins on Thursday, October 1
RELATED: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut out-of-state travelers quarantine list
How coronavirus changed the New York region
Do you have coronavirus symptoms?
What's Open, What's Closed in the Tri-State area
COVID-19 Help, Information. Stimulus and Business Updates
UPDATES
abc7NY Phase Tracker: