Coronavirus: New York preschools reopen

A schoolboy at the entrance to a school in the Bronx on September 9, 2020. AP Photo / John Minchillo

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3 min

Closed since March 23, when the city was hard hit by the coronavirus, New York schools begin their return to school on Monday, September 21, which promises to be turbulent to say the least. 

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With our correspondent in New York,

Loubna Anaki

Just days before the general recovery, the mayor of New York, under pressure, announced the postponement of the start of the school year for primary and secondary schools.

Only kindergartens resume this Monday, while teachers denounce insufficient sanitary conditions.

Dianne Pannullo teaches at a Manhattan public school.

This Monday, she finds her kindergarten students.

But for her, the establishment is not at all ready to welcome everyone safely.

“ 

Some schools are very old.

This was built in 1905. Some classrooms have only three windows that do not open more than 7 cm.

And they tell us it's good, but the air is not circulating!

 », Laments the teacher.

Teachers denounce poorly prepared schools

Since the mayor of New York announced that schools would reopen for face-to-face education, unions and teachers have denounced a poorly prepared return to school.

Bill De Blasio

decided to postpone the recovery for primary, middle and high schools, at the very last minute.

Sign of the puzzle that this re-entry represents.

To denounce these conditions, the teachers, supported by parents, have been demonstrating regularly for weeks.

“ 

I have never been so frustrated in my entire career!

I cried about it today.

I don't know how it will be on a daily basis!

 », Testifies one of them.

" 

We trust schools and teachers and when they say that all is not ready, all is not ready,

 " said another teacher.

For now, parents have the choice between sending their children to schools or opting for distance learning.

More than half have opted for a hybrid formula alternating face-to-face days and online teaching.

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  • United States

  • Coronavirus

  • Education

  • Health and medicine