#DOE mulls phased reopening, partial remote learning for next school year

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Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza
William Farrington

The city’s public school system is mulling a phased start to the next school year and holding some classes remotely as the city eases out of its coronavirus crisis.

The measures are among a host of safety strategies Chancellor Richard Carranza said he’s considering in a Tuesday letter to Department of Education staff obtained by The Post.

“Since we cannot yet predict what September will look like, we can — and we must — be prepared for a range of possibilities,” Carranza wrote. “Our job is to be ready and nimble.”

Among those possibilities is what Carranza refers to as “blended learning,” where schools include both in-person and remote classes.

While Carranza adds that the DOE is “wholeheartedly working towards a September start date,” it’s also exploring a situation where staff and students could be starting school at different times, with some children possibly starting their school day in the late morning or afternoon.

If social distancing regulations remain in place, schools will have to “think creatively” about scheduling to limit capacities.

“We are seeing so far that other countries are modifying schedules, and/or starting groups of students in person at different times,” Carranza wrote.

“This year for us, the timing of return to buildings, and under what circumstances buildings might be closed or have limited access, will be established in close coordination with NYC Health and based on health and safety indicators.”

No matter what scenario is implemented, Carranza stressed the need for “enhanced health measures” for faculty and students, including schools being equipped with enough personal protective equipment and robust monitoring of health indicators to make sure students and staff aren’t showing up to school sick.

“We will be engaging with families, parent leaders, community partners, students, and staff in the coming weeks to learn more about what they would like to see reflected in reopening plans,” Carranza wrote, adding that the DOE has been contemplating options since school doors closed in March.

The DOE in a statement that said Carranza has been “engaging principals, teachers and district leaders across the City for weeks regarding reopening considerations.”