You are reading

Several Queens Lawmakers Call on Schools Chancellor to Offer Remote Learning Option

(Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Sept. 9, 2021 By Christian Murray

Several state legislators representing districts in Queens are calling on the schools Chancellor to provide public school students with a remote learning option.

The Queens officials signed onto a letter penned by Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz Tuesday that urges Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter to offer a remote learning option.

“We are unequivocal in our request that The New York City Board of Education provide a remote learning option before our schools open,” reads the letter, which was co-signed by Queens officials such as State Senators Joseph Addabbo and John Liu; along with Assembly Members Nily Rozic, Catherine Nolan, Brian Barnwell, Daniel Rosenthal and Jessica González-Rojas.

“We are not out of this pandemic,” the letter reads. “Parents are stressed with concern that they will be sending their children into virus infected classrooms. The obvious realities that parents and children are facing revolve around not having an approved vaccination for children 12 and under…and the tight spaces children returning to school will have to endure in classrooms.”

The letter comes about three weeks after Queens Borough President Donovan Richards also called on the Department of Education to offer a remote option. Elected officials such as Public Advocate Jumaane Williams are also urging the city to have a remote option — noting that it is needed as a backup plan.

The chancellor and mayor, however, are advocates for a full reopening — and remain opposed to offering a hybrid or remote learning option.

The mayor says the city has put in place what he refers to as the gold standard for keeping students safe.

For instance, all city school teachers must have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by Sept. 27. City officials said Wednesday that more than 70 percent of public school teachers have gotten at least one shot to date.

Furthermore, there will be universal masking and social distancing, as well as provisions made to ensure that there is fresh air in classrooms and common areas.

Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, pictured, is calling on the DOE to provide a remote learning option

Students wishing to participate in Public School Athletic League’s high-contact sports like basketball, football and volleyball will also have to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

At this point, 65 percent of 12 to 17-year-old public school students in New York City have been vaccinated, according to a DOE spokesperson Wednesday.

The city will also be providing students the ability to get the vaccine at school next week.

However, Cruz and the elected officials who signed onto her letter argue that the virus will make a return despite these precautions.

“Placing our children in environments where community spread is certain…is the wrong decision that overrides the innate instinct of parents to protect their children,” the letter reads.

email the author: [email protected]
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

CM Moya announces support for massive Metropolitan Park proposal near Citi Field

Council Member Francisco Moya announced his support for Metropolitan Park, a proposal put forward by New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and Hard Rock International that calls for the construction of a casino and entertainment complex on the parking lot just west of Citi Field.

In a lengthy statement released on Thursday afternoon, Moya said that when he was first approached about the project, his main consideration was ensuring that it would meet the needs of his constituents and provide a major boost to the local economy.

Long Island man charged in fatal Flushing hit-and-run that left 81-year-old man dead: NYPD

A Long Island truck driver was arrested on Tuesday and booked at the 109th Precinct in Flushing for a fatal hit-and-run collision that killed a Murray Hill senior who was riding an electric bike on Northern Boulevard three months ago.

Kyle Schreiber, 27, of Lincoln Boulevard in Hauppauge, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in the death of 81-year-old Peter Seo on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 28.