The Yonkers Public Schools held an emergency meeting on August 20, and unanimously agreed to delay in person learning for all students until October 5. For the month of September, students will be learning from home but teachers will be required to come to school every school day.
Just two days earlier, at a Town Board meeting, YPS Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada, and School Board President Rev. Steve Lopez said that students would be welcomed back to school on September 8.
The resolution reads:
| Resolution: | WHEREAS, on March 7, 2020 the Governor of the State of New York issued an Executive Order declaring a state disaster emergency for the entire state due to travel related cases and community contact transmission of the Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) occurring in New York State; and WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020 the Mayor of the City of Yonkers declared a state of emergency in the City due to emergency conditions produced by COVID-19 that threaten or imperil the public safety of its citizens; and WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020 the Westchester County Executive declared a state of emergency in the County due to the emergency conditions produced by COVID-19 that threaten or imperil the safety of its citizens; and WHEREAS, the State of New York continues to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, on July 31, 2020 Yonkers Public Schools submitted a School Reopening Plan to the State Education Department outlining the following three models for instruction during the 2020-2021 school year: 1) In-Person Instruction; 2) Hybrid Instruction; and 3) Online Remote Instruction; and WHEREAS, on August 7, the Governor of the State of New York announced that Schools may reopen provided that the average rate of positive coronavirus tests is and remains below 5% over a two-week period in the region where the schools are located; and WHEREAS, due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Education of the City of Yonkers (“Board”) has determined that it is in the best interest of the District’s students to delay the opening of school buildings to students only and to begin the school year with Online Remote Instruction for all students with a transition to Hybrid Instruction in accordance with the models outlined in the Yonkers Public Schools (“YPS”) School Reopening Plan; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that on September 8, 2020 Kindergarten through grade 12 students will begin Online Remote Instruction in accordance with the YPS School Reopening Plan. During this time students will remain at home and teachers will provide online remote instruction from the school buildings; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that on September 9, 2020 Prekindergarten students will participate in a half-day orientation remotely and on September 10, 2020 will begin Online Remote Instruction in accordance with the YPS School Reopening Plan. Students will remain at home and teachers will provide online remote instruction from the school buildings; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that on October 5, 2020 all students will transition to Hybrid Instruction in accordance with the YPS School Reopening Plan; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that parents/guardians will have the option to continue their child’s education by Online Remote Instruction only; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all dates are subject to adjustment based on COVID 19 pandemic changes, Department of Health and State Education Department Guidelines and federal, state and local laws. |
| Approvals: | Recommended By:Signed By: Dr. Edwin M. Quezada – Superintendent of Schools |
| Vote Results: | 8-0 Yes |
