UPDATE: The UFT has revealed to Time Out New York Kids that Executive Board meeting will happen on schedule. The agenda is still being finalized. Everything is on the table.
New York City public schools are scheduled to reopen in less than two weeks. However, many feel as though the Sept 10 start date should be pushed back.
As a result, the United Federation of Teachers is allegedly preparing for strike authorization votes at the beginning of the week, though Mayor de Blasio said "a strike vote is not planned" during his Aug 31 press conference. Time Out New York Kids has reached out to Michael Mulgrew, the president of the UFT, and will update readers as soon we learn more.
The UFT has issued a petition roughly one month ago insisting that school buildings meet proper safety standards before welcoming children and staff back into the buildings. Currently, over 99,000 people—out of a goal of 150,000—have signed it. You can learn more about the UFT's health and safety requirements online, as well as the DOE's guidelines.
The NYC DOE has been updating New Yorkers weekly about its safety procedures, including air ventilation safety measures and the approval for outdoor learning not just in public schools, but all types of schools throughout the city. Currently 247 outdoor learning applications have been approved. Principals' submissions are welcome on a rolling basis according to today's press briefing.
Although the threshold to open NYC schools is stricter than state guidelines—the percentage of citywide positive tests must be less than 3 percent, as compared to 5 percent for the rest of New York—school communities are still wondering if we are ready.
Check back often, as we'll update you as information comes in.
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