By Dan Murphy
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano called for Yonkers Public Schools, the 4th largest school district in New York State, to reopen after months operating on a hybrid schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Spano has requested Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, to explore the opportunity to open schools for four-day instruction while following proper New State Department of Health (DOH) and CDC guidelines.
“Yonkers schools are safe. The time is now for our children to return to the classroom,” said Mayor Spano. “Our schools so far have been very successful in providing a clean, secure environment while adhering to the proper protocols. With the support of our Superintendent, I know we can we can present a solution that is safe for students, teachers and staff.”
Since Yonkers Public Schools opened with hybrid instruction in October 2020, less than 2% of its total school population has been infected with COVID-19. Currently, students are separated into cohorts, learning in school just twice a week. Of the nearly 15,000 students who are opt to come to school during their designated days, less than 10,000 actually do, leaving ample space for additional students to attend. Attendance at Yonkers schools with predominately economically disadvantaged students is even less.
“Our students suffer academically when they are not in their classroom among their peers and teachers,” added Mayor Spano. “Research also has determined there are significant academic and social-emotional impacts on children while learning remotely and in isolation. Given what our community has endured this year, our children and their families deserve better.”
To accommodate State DOH and CDC guidelines, the District has already invested $12 million this school year to provide for a safe and healthy learning environment including air filtration systems, repaired windows, temperature scanners, and more frequent cleaning schedules for proper sanitizing.
Commented Mayor Spano, “Yonkers is resolute and committed – and has always demonstrated strong leadership for others to follow. Let us be a symbol to other districts on how we can provide safe, sustainable and impactful in-school education to our students during this ever-evolving environment.”
YPS Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada, who throughout COVID has been encouraging the idea of bringing students back to school, said “Since Yonkers Public Schools welcomed students back to school buildings for Hybrid Instruction in October our work has been focused on safely expanding in-person instruction for students,”
“We welcome Mayor Spano’s request to explore additional days for students to be in school Yonkers Public Schools 91% graduation rate in 2020 is a beacon for what our students can accomplish with the support, encouragement, commitment and work of our outstanding educators and support staff. Returning to more in-person instruction will put our students’ academic, social-emotional, nutritional, physical health and well-being back on track.
“Everyone agrees this must be accomplished with the health and safety of students and staff foremost in every decision. We will not compromise on that and will work with all of our stakeholders to accomplish this with fidelity,” said Quezada.
Quezada is also bringing in “all stakeholders” to have the discussion about re-opening for in person learning for 4 or 5 days per week. One major stakeholder will be the Yonkers Federation of Teachers, YFT, who has been cautious about moving forward with in person learning during COVID over the past year.
The first obstacle that has to be overcome before any students can come back in person on time is that all teachers and staff must get vaccinated, and that process has begun.
One challenge that YPS will have re-opeing in person full time will be the 6 foot social distance guidline currently coming from the State Department of Health.
Many school districts in Westchester have asked the State to revise the 6 foot social distance requirement down to 3 feet. Early responses from the NY State teacher’s union show a reluctance to reduce the six-foot guideline.
“If the requirement is to maintain six feet of distancing at the coffee shop, the hardware store or any other public space, it’s distressing to hear there are some who want to set a lesser standard for schools, of all places,” said NYSUT President Andy Pallotta.
Another issue is the installation of barriers at each classroom desk.
The State will also have to clarify, or change if they wish, guidance on what teachers do when they come in contact with somone who tested positive for COVID. The current requirement calls for a home quaranteene for the teacher for up to two weeks.
The CDC (Federal Center for Disease Control) recently revised their guideline now says that fully vaccinated individuals who are asymptomatic, for three months after their second shot, don’t need to quarantine after a contact.
With all of these challenges, when is a realistic date for students to go back to in person on time? Nobody is giving a date publicly, but some will wisper that sometime after the Easter-Passover recess, April 4, is one possibility.
With parents across Westchester carrying signs at protests for in person back to school which read, “Remote is a Joke,” and “Zoom is not real learning,” something has to be done.
