New York City high schools will pivot to remote learning on Friday as local air quality remains at hazardous levels, the Department of Education announced.
Students and staff in schools serving grades 9-12 and 6-12 that were scheduled to attend classes will do so virtually — while most other schools will proceed as planned with a clerical day off. Those staffers will be able to work from home.
Programs contracted by the city to provide child care and preschool can choose to transition to remote services for the day.
Some custodial, maintenance and school-food staff will still have to report to schools in person.
“This is the right decision to ensure our families, staff and students remain safe during these times,” wrote Councilwoman Rita Joseph (D-Brooklyn), chair of the education committee, on Twitter.
Others were less convinced that the city made the right call — with several end-of-year events planned for Friday.
“This class of seniors were freshmen when COVID hit,” said a high school teacher in Queens, who was not authorized to speak with the press. “They are familiar with things being taken away from them and told what they an and can’t do after looking forward to all these important events.”
“The Class of 2023 is the class of endless disappointments,” she said.
The early afternoon decision comes after the public schools told teachers at dismissal Wednesday to stay home the next day. Those who were still in the buildings were instructed to bring home laptops and other materials they may need to work remotely.
School employees are participating in pre-scheduled professional development sessions Thursday, as students have the day off for the obscure school holiday Anniversary Day — better known as Brooklyn-Queens Day.