New York City schools will not fully reopen on Monday as planned, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday — agreeing to another delay in his push to bring back in-person education in the nation’s largest school district.
Teachers and principals had raised a host of objections to the city’s reopening plans, including safety concerns and a shortage of teachers.
“They had real concerns about specific things that had to be done to make sure our schools could effectively start,” de Blasio said.
Only pre-kindergarten, early education classes for 3-year-olds, and special education classes will open in person on Monday.
Elementary schools and K-8 schools will now open on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Middle and high schools will open on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Under the threat of a teacher’s strike, de Blasio had previously agreed to delay the first day of school from Sept. 10. For students who choose to attend in person, they will go to school a few days a week while learning at home on other days.