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[title]Update: You can find the latest school closures on the NYC DOE website.
The largest school district in the country is up and running.
After a summer of debate, the threat of a teacher's strike and several delayed starts, NYC schools' 2020-2021 term is officially underway, but families and faculty are remaining cautious.
As virus cases continue to increase throughout the city, the possibility of closures looms. Earlier this year, Mayor Bill de Blasio outlined the threshold it would take to close school buildings—if the percentage of citywide positive tests is equal to 3 percent or higher on a seven day rolling average, schools will not open and online learning will resume. (Full closure details are available online.)
Below you'll find a running list of NYC schools that have closed due to positive virus cases. Check back, as we'll update the list as more information becomes available. Be sure to stay up to date with the latest information on the NYC DOE website. Learn all about the school-based virus testing that will begin in October. Stay safe and best of luck with the new school year, New Yorkers.
NYC schools: closed buildings
The John F. Kennedy Jr School in Elmhurst will be closed until Oct 13, ABC reports. Two staff members, both of whom were said to be in separate rooms and not linked, tested positive for the virus. All schooling will be remote and the soonest students and staff will be able to return to the building in Wednesday, Oct 14. This is the first closure for the NYC DOE.
On Sunday, Oct 4, Mayor Bill de Blasio proposed shutting down schools and non-essential businesses on Wednesday, Oct 7 in several zip codes where the infection rate has surpased 3 percent over the past seven days at least. They are as follows: 11691, 11219, 11223, 11230, 11204, 11210, 11229, 11415 and 11367. This move requires state approval, to which Governor Andrew Cuomo said these schools will be shut down on Tuesday, Oct 6.
Today I’m announcing a proposal to close ALL schools and nonessential businesses in these zip codes on Wednesday, October 7.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) October 4, 2020
The affected zip codes are 11691, 11219, 11223, 11230, 11204, 11210, 11229, 11415 and 11367.
An additional 33 New York City public schools will be closed starting Thursday, Oct 8 according to ChalkBeat. This brings the total closures across the city to 124. Schools in both red and orange zones have been required to close.
In total, 169 schools have been ordered to close according to the NYC DOE site as of Oct 15.