#Teachers at NYC school enlist parents in reopening fight

Teachers at a popular Manhattan school are going straight to parents in their fight against a reopening of city classrooms in September.

In a letter sent to families this week, staffers at The Neighborhood School in the East Village encouraged them to request full remote learning on Department of Education surveys to help sway administrative opinion.

“We hope that if a large number of families choose remote learning, it will send a message to the chancellor, mayor, and governor and other leaders that it is not yet safe to reopen schools,” according to the missive.

DOE sources said teachers at other schools have marshaled similar campaigns with the start of the school year now just weeks away.

The Neighborhood School teachers cite ongoing COVID-19 concerns in issuing their plea.

“To indicate your preference for next year, you must complete this survey no later than August 7,” the teachers wrote. “We urge you to do so as soon as possible, so that the school can plan accordingly and so that the city hears your voice.”

The letter acknowledges the dilemma parents face when it comes to the planned partial reopening of schools in September.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has proposed a blended learning model that would have kids alternate between home and classroom learning.

Along with schools Chancellor Richard Carranza, de Blasio has lobbied for a resumption of building activity to provide relief for working parents and to address the inferiority of screen instruction.

“We know that remote learning pales in comparison to in-person teaching and that you are juggling your own jobs alongside the responsibility of ‘homeschooling’ your children,” the teachers wrote in their message.

But the letter states that staffers are “incredibly worried” about going back to work in their building and notes that only those with underlying medical conditions will be exempt from in-person teaching.

The group also argues that many teachers have kids of their own.

“Who will watch our children when we are at school teaching?” the letter asks.

The staffers also paint a bleak picture of school life for parents in light of COVID-19 restrictions.

“No sharing materials,” they wrote. “No hugs. No high fives. If children are hurt, sad or anxious, we won’t be able to comfort them at a close distance and they won’t be able to comfort each other.”

Teachers also raised concerns about ventilation in light of broken windows and regular hand-washing given balky taps throughout the school.

Much of their day, they said, would be dedicated to reminding kids to keep their masks on.

Despite their position on the reopening, the group promised to “respect and support whatever you choose” — especially essential workers and those who can’t work remotely.

“We write this letter not to pressure you, but to share a perspective that you will not hear on the news or during De Blasio’s press conferences,” they wrote while including a link to the DOE survey.

But the DOE stressed that parents should be free to make their decisions freely.

“Families deserve to make this personal decision based on their unique needs,” said DOE spokesperson Danielle Filson. “We want our families to feel safe and comfortable with their learning options, whether it be blended learning while the City has a 1% transmission rate, or remote learning. The survey exists so families can make their own decisions without outside pressure.”