#Principal warns NYC parents about potential chaos next school year

A Brooklyn principal warned just how chaotic next school year is likely to be in a jarring Father’s Day email to families.

Eve Litwack of PS 107 in Park Slope said social distancing requirements could force an alternating schedule that would split the small school into three groups of students.

That structure — likely to be mirrored across the city — would have kids in their building for one week followed by two weeks of remote learning.

“At maximum capacity, our building can accommodate one third of our students and staff with social distancing protocols in place,” Litwack wrote.

Shellshocked parents  said they expected significant disruptions to the schedule due to the coronavirus but were stunned by the scenario Litwack laid out.

“At a certain point this isn’t school anymore,” said one exasperated mom. “Parents don’t know what to do.”

Heavy reliance on remote learning will be especially punishing for those who cannot work remotely and must suddenly scramble to furnish and finance daycare for their kids.

In addition, every inch of the small school could be pressed into service as a classroom — including the cafeteria and smaller offices.

Kids would also have to remain distanced from their classmates at all times, making specialty instruction all but impossible.

“There would be no in-person Art, Music, Science, Technology, Library, or PE in the traditional sense that we’ve come to expect,” Litwack told parents.

If they remain intact at all, those pursuits would be limited to remote lessons or in homeroom classrooms, she said.

Citing CDC guidance, Litwack said kids would likely have to wear masks all day except for when eating — in their classrooms.

The organization counsels “that students remain in their classrooms with their teacher throughout the day, lunch included, and that movement in the building is restricted,” she said.

Litwack acknowledged that the prognosis is bleak and said the future remains deeply uncertain.

“This is the grim reality we face when school reopens,” she said. “However, if the virus subsides during the summer, these guidelines could be eased somewhat.”

Several parents said that the email intensified existing efforts to seek out schooling options for next year, including moving out of the city, turning to private or charter schools, or homeschooling.

Social media groups have already been formed where city residents are considering pooling resources to hire tutors to conduct external group classes in rented spaces or private homes.

“If people can leave, they are,” said a parent. “It’s that simple. But for many people, including me, that isn’t an option. We understand that this is difficult, this is unprecedented. But the lack of answers right now and the proposals they’re giving us are pretty traumatic.”

Despite the ugly projections for the start of the year, Litwack stressed that circumstances could change.

“Please understand that NOTHING is certain at this juncture,” she said. “While we are busy planning for all possibilities, the State and/or City will have the final say in the reopening of schools.”