Saturday, August 29, 2020

CSA PRESIDENT REACTS TO BLENDED LEARNING GUIDANCE

 From CSA,


August 28, 2020


Dear Mayor de Blasio and Chancellor Carranza,

From the moment the Department of Education first began discussions on blended learning, CSA has repeatedly raised serious concerns about the staffing shortages that will arise with the implementation of the DOE’s hybrid models as constructed. I've personally shared those concerns with both of you directly. Yet on Wednesday night, DOE distributed instructional guidance that alarms school leaders throughout the city. Compelling school leaders to open their buildings on September 10th while adhering to this new guidance is indefensible.

It’s been clear since July that if a class must be split into cohorts to meet social distancing requirements, some students will learn remotely while others simultaneously learn in person. All summer long, school leaders, teachers, students and parents alike have all been asking the same obvious question: who will teach students learning remotely?

We were hopeful that the DOE would find some way to solve this inherent problem without creating a larger one. We expected that concerns about sufficient staffing would be adequately addressed when the Chancellor’s team finally released the essential instructional guidance that NYC educators have been demanding for months.

Regrettably, the DOE has now created a potential staffing crisis with just two weeks to go before the first day of school. We applaud your administration for its focus on science throughout this pandemic. We ask that you also focus on the math. As school leaders process this new guidance, distributed on the very day they were required to share schedules with families, many will be forced to abandon their carefully considered plans and communicate to their superintendents that their school simply doesn’t have enough staff to begin the year. They must now communicate to families that far too many students will not be taught remotely by their in-person teachers. 

What answer and support will they receive from the DOE? What would you suggest they say to the understandably anxious families they speak with daily? It is ultimately our school leaders who must look parents in the eyes and assure them that their school building is ready to reopen. How can they pledge to deliver a quality education, worth the risks of attending school during a pandemic, when they’re not even sure they have enough teachers?

School leaders will continue to work tirelessly to reimagine the school year and keep their communities safe, and our union will continue to call for a delay to in-person learning so that they and their staff have adequate time to prepare for an unimaginable, unprecedented school year, made exponentially more challenging with this instructional guidance. The current shortage of teachers only makes our previous message more urgent: New York City schools are simply not ready to reopen for in-person instruction on September 10th.

Sincerely,


Mark F. Cannizzaro

President

78 comments:

Anonymous said...

We have 180k members and do nothing.

CSA has 6k members.

Interesting.

But do as Mulgrew says at all times, as he renegotiates our contract, with no member input. And pay dues.

Anonymous said...

Quality Teachers! Don't make me laugh. It's the young, cheap easy going, will pass anyone teachers they want. The doe doesn't care if the kids learn anything. Don't be hypocrites.

Jonathan Halabi said...

Great line: "We applaud your administration for its focus on science throughout this pandemic. We ask that you also focus on the math."

CSA got the math right. Too bad their view on science is incorrect.

Anonymous said...

When you just say to stay home if we feel sick, do you think I want to destroy my sick bank i spent 20 years building up?

Anonymous said...

LEADERSHIP...

De Blasio sat on offer to provide free COVID-19 testing for students

https://nypost.com/2020/08/29/de-blasio-sitting-on-offer-of-free-school-covid-19-testing/

Anonymous said...

"All summer long, school leaders, teachers, students and parents alike have all been asking the same obvious question: who will teach students learning remotely?"

Without massive hiring, the answer is nobody. Current teachers have full schedules and are personally stretched to the brink as it is...they cannot possibly personally interact with/instruct additional non-classroom kids online nor can they reallocate their teaching and prepping time to hanging/correcting assignments onto Google Classroom asynchronously.

Best case, simply livestream the actual teacher via Google Meet or Zoom to enable the remote kids to at least keep on top of the classroom activities/notes/topics until the kids chose to return. Full stop.

Of course it is a billion times less effective than traditional/in-person instruction in terms of learning for the kids observing the class via computer … but there are no additional teachers and teachers are stretched to the brink as it is.

Or ignore the initial question, reverse course, and go full remote. No need for additional teachers and instruction can be synchronous.

waitingforsupport said...

10:38 am...Preach!!!

Anonymous said...

Has there ever been a CSA strike or a job action—without the UFT members doing the same?

Anonymous said...

"They must now communicate to families that far too many students will not be taught remotely by their in-person teachers."


Well how was the in-person teacher that is teaching 5 live classes, 5 days a week in the building supposed to simultaneously teach the kids who were at home in front of a computer screen??? The in-person teacher is expected to prep for live lessons and provide materials in Google classroom and grade and monitor students in both???

That is a totally unrealistic and unacceptable demand for a teacher's workday. That would be more akin to a 12 hour and 50 minute than a 6 hour and 50 minute workday. It would also require 7 day workweeks as the teacher would need all that time to prepare for both formats.

Bronx ATR said...

This should finish deBlasio :

https://nypost.com/2020/08/29/de-blasio-sitting-on-offer-of-free-school-covid-19-testing/?utm_campaign=iphone_nyp&utm_source=pasteboard_app

Anonymous said...

NEW YORK CITY — As New York City school officials continue to release reopening plans for the upcoming school year, and teachers and parents voice their concerns, students — the ones who are going to be most affected — are sharing theirs too.

Harry is a 9-year-old who goes to school in Manhattan.

“I really want to go back to school, I'm very excited... but I'm a little scared… I don’t want to catch the virus.”

Athena, who lives in the Bronx and will be heading to kindergarten says she's planning on wearing her mask

Cousins Kloe, 8 and Alyssa, 7 who go to the same Queens elementary school told PIX11 News they feel scared.

“There’s germs and coronavirus,” said 7-year-old Alexander who goes to school in the Bronx.

Then there's 13-year-old Blake, who attends a Manhattan middle.


“I feel like the people in power that want to open back schools are wrong,” he said.

Ryan, who’s also 13 and goes to school in Manhattan is worried about the virus spreading.

“I've seen on the internet how schools have gone back and their school blowing up with a lot of cases,” she said.

While the students who will start their new school year in just 13 days miss their friends, teachers and classrooms, their concerns come from all boroughs, grade levels and ethnicities.

“If one person has it its going to spread to everyone,” said 10-year-old Daniel, who goes to school in Queens.

Some other questions the students who spent most of the spring doing remote learning have?


“How will they make public transportation safe?”

“How can we prevent coronavirus with the mask for four hours?”

“Will there be designated times where we take off our masks?

“The different schools don’t have air ventilation and amount of hours we’re gonna be in school figured out,” said David, a 13-year old Manhattan student.

Many of their parents are part of Parents for Responsive Equitable Safe Schools.

They believe city officials are cranking out reopening plans but are far from making the grade when it comes to safety.

“We would be putting ourselves and other people in danger, said 11-year-old Conrad.

And so instead of cramming their class work, parents also fear their kids will only be focused one one subject, the coronavirus.

“I do want to see my friends and teachers but I just feel like I don’t know if its worth it for that much of a risk,” added another teen.

Students who are doing blended learning in September still haven’t received their schedules yet. PIX11 News has reached out to DOE Friday afternoon about the schedules and is still waiting for more information.

Anonymous said...

Off to a good start...

We received an email from administration today giving us a 2 hour window one day next week to go in and get our stuff. TWO hours to the ENTIRE school (200+ teachers in a really small shared building). I haven’t been to work since prior to Covid as I was on maternity leave. I unexpectedly went in to labor two weeks early, so when I left work that Wednesday afternoon, I had full intentions on returning on Thursday. Nothing was put away. I left the cabinet open for my co-teacher so she can access my stuff. I have thousands of dollars worth of my own materials in that room that I purchased with my own money, on top of everything else I purchased with teachers choice. I’m afraid if I don’t go in, everything will be gone. But I also has a medical condition that puts me at very high risk. I have 4 iPads (my own) that I left for my co teacher as we used it a lot for interactive activities. I know UFT is saying do not go in, but then who replaces the stuff when it goes missing?? I’m so nervous that by the time this is over, I will have nothing left. I will not be going back until after the new year, and only if it’s safe then

Anonymous said...

Wait, so does this mean that Mulgrew won't praise the DOE opening like he does every other year?

Anonymous said...

De Blasio said everyone wants to return.

They want to return so much...They are all retiring...

NY Sees Spike in Teachers Choosing to Retire Rather Than Return to Classrooms
According to the New York State Teachers Retirement System, there is a 20 percent increase this year in teachers calling it quits, along with a decrease in the number of teachers overall — a shortage that has existed for several years

Anonymous said...

The problem is if they hire teachers, they will have to let them go when COVID is over or put them in the ATR pool. There will be 1,000s of teachers in the ATR pool. Also, they don't have enough money to hire all these teachers. If the schools are desperate for teachers, why is nothing appearing on open market?

Anonymous said...

MORE is having a meeting right now, over 1,000 people present. Unity is nowhere. Why you guys pay dues I'll never know. No wonder we are nowhere. No wonder why we are laughingstock.

Anonymous said...

Since MORE started,
@UFTUnity
led by Michael Mulgrew has stood by while Cuomo defunded public schools & promoted rapid charter expansion which led schools to be shut down in marginalized communities & now WE’RE doing the work to keep schools safe & get the funding we deserve.

waitingforsupport said...

11:08
Go in
Stay home
Everyone has to make a decision
The DOE/UFT
Will
Do
What
Is
Best
For the
DOE/UFT.
It's August 29th. They have told us their plan and pardon my language it ain't $%it.

Anonymous said...

Earlier today, the UFT chapter of Townsend Harris High School sent a letter to Governor Cuomo expressing their lack of faith in the mayor’s reopening plan. With signatures from over sixty faculty members, they write that they plan to work virtually even if the mayor follows through on opening schools, unless the UFT’s safety conditions are met.

Anonymous said...

Kudos to the UFT chapter of Townsend Harris High School for doing that. I wish that my school would do that instead of threatening people about crossing a picket line. No, as a matter of fact, I wish my UFT PRESIDENT would send that letter on behalf of all of our schools!

Anonymous said...

Yes, my UNITY chapter leader also threaten teachers (and i have recorded it) which only makes me want to cross the picket line more.... touch me or my property and it is war .. just know that any UNITY thug touches anyone and I will file charges. HOW DARE PEOPLE ADVOCATE FOR STRIKING OVER SOMETHING SO STUPID! AND THEN THREATEN PEOPLE WHO DON'T BELIEVE IN THIS STUPID ASININE JOB ACTION!!!!! CALL ME A SCAB- I DON'T CARE... Touch anyone and it is over! UFT is nothing to me ... Never helped me.... treats members like shit... and now Unity is threatening people?

Anonymous said...

Kids who don’t show COVID-19 symptoms can still spread virus for weeks, study shows...NY Post

I'm not risking getting sick.

Anonymous said...

The Townsend principal is allowing and assigning all his teachers remote? Who else had done that?

Anonymous said...

Perhaps we need to return to the old days by enforcing the picket lines. It’s not enough that the self centered imbeciles are willing to get sick and infect others, but they are continually bleating about themselves. Take other large school systems that wisely decided not to open the schools.
With twenty percent unemployment it’s not about looking after the kids, it’s about dumping them on the free daycare system, schools. The plan is no kind of plan at all. The tired refrain of building the plane in the air just ain’t cutting it anymore. This is about life and death. The self entitlement of those who advocate crossing the picket lines is just another iteration of hooray for me and the hell with you.
All of the needless deaths that we have suffered should be reason enough to tell all of our treacherous cretins who think that they are leaders no.
As for those that say they want to cross the line, you are devaluing the labor movement and are not only self destructive , but are hurting your union brothers and sisters.
I advocate the use of physical force to prevent scabs from undermining our solidarity. Three decades I have been waiting for the union to grow a pair. Now is not the time to be a yellow belly.

Anonymous said...

The ends justify the means. CSA complains, the system is unprepared and implodes, the Mayor goes to remote learning, Deblassio comes up with some saving face reason, Mulgrew says I told you so, Teachers and kids and families stay safe THE ENDS are met

Anonymous said...

2:41--
Making a difficult personal decision to cross a picket line may or may not be an act of selfishness nor one of cowardice. I learned a long time ago everyone has a story.
Although I would strike if called upon to do so, I would also be compelled to prevent violence against a scab.
I believe it is un-American to use violence against someone with whom you politically disagree. We see this too often now with clashes between protestors.
I acknowledge you perceive a scab as someone committing a harmful act to be prevented, but a physical attack against an individual is not, in my opinion, justifiable nor is it conducive to a better society.
Regards.

Anonymous said...

2:41 PM Three decades? Do you think you had no reason to strike on a picket line and stand up for your union brothers and sisters before? Have our teachers and buildings been safe all this time? After 3 decades of watching the union - Mulgrew - erode the trust of members and integrity of the profession, now you want to talk tough? Please stop your threats of physical force like you've been working out.

Now is not the time to be a yellow belly? So it was ok to be a yellow belly before?

Anonymous said...

I wish 241 would've reached like that after the 2014 contract was agreed upon, or after or during the last 2 decades of uft disservice. Where have you been?
March 17-19, sent into infected buildings, and made to travel to and from those infected buildings, knowing they were infected.
1.3% raises over 11 years
Retro held back with no interest for 11 years
WE are the only group who had TDA reduced from 8.25% to 7%
no discipline code
fake grades
fake grad rates
fake suspension rates
higher medical co-pays
absentee chapter leaders
abusive admin
abusive students
cell phones in buildings
open market fraud
no travel hardship transfers
getting blamed for students not caring, not being present, being in poverty
screwed observation system
2014 contract extended twice with 0 raise
Backing criminals
Backing failures while rewarding them after doing nothing
7-12 report card comments

Anonymous said...

2:41

Are you the union or are the members collectively the union?

If the members collectively vote against a strike will have same passion for not striking because the union voted against it? Will you advocate violence then towards anyone who still wants to strike because it goes against the will of the members?

You are not the union. You are not even a true member of it. You are a bully and a self-centered individual only concerned with getting your way. And I doubt for one second you would be violent towards anyone crossing the picket line since the law allows for people to disagree with their union. Protects those members from being forced to strike illegally and with all of those cameras around you'll probably mask up to hide your identity.

You're pathetic and the reason why people like myself feel excluded and want to leave the union.

DeBlasioMustGo! said...

2:41 - Put a sock in. I am not a Marxist. I have no "union brother and sister". That's all horse manure and you know it.

I opted out of the UFT, so there's nothing the UFT can do to coerce my participation in anything they do.

The UFT and the DOE have been in bed for a very long time. The so called "union" is nothing more than a two faced organization that smiles in your face while doing everything to undermine your interests behind closed doors.

A strike is exactly what the enemies of this profession will utilize to further erode the status of teachers in the coming months and years.

There is no need right now to play into deBlasio's hands. Let his so-called "plan" manifest as the epic disaster that it inevitably will be. It's goint to be the final nail in the coffin for him, and we'll all be remote quite soon.

There is a saying, when your enemy is making a mistake, don't interrupt him. Mulgrew and all the crybabies in the UFT should take note.

TeachNY said...

I would strike over all of that. Not in agreement for this strike....but it seems we have no day.

James Eterno said...

DeBlasio Must Go, Your argument to let things implode was the same one the UFT made in selling the ATR's as part of the contract in 2005. Don't worry, they said. The DOE won't know how to do this. It will fall apart. The DOE didn't know how to run it and 15 years later, the ATRs are still here.

As for people who aren't in the Union, why do you waste your time on a pro-union site?

Mike said...

James or Bronx ATR or waiting for support,

You guys are pretty much on the ball with how the doe operates.

I hate to be a conspiracy theorist, but could this ‘agreement’ this week be a catalyst by the mayor and chancellor and mulgrew to bypass a fake hiring freeze and being in new people?

To me, it makes sense. Mulgrew gets more dues, the chancellor can complain shortage and needing new staff and the mayor can use layoffs and staff shortage as an excuse for more money from Albany or the feds.

DeBlasioMustGo! said...

James,

The ATR situation is nowhere near what this is. And the ATRs actually serve the interests of the DOE, the UFT, and the Principals in the long run - that's why they're still around.

This plan from deBlasio concerns the entire school system, and its failure is going to have a massive impact on teachers, administrators, students, parents, along with the ENTIRE CITY.

There is simply no comparison here.

I don't care if this is a pro-Union blog. I follow your site because since the loss of Chaz, this has been the most active teacher news blog on the internet, allowing teachers from different experiences to share thoughts and vent.

Your gatekeeping is also quite ironic, since you just further elucidated the incompetence and deceit of the UFT in your response to my post.

You have to understand that the UFT is like a mafia - certain interests control it, and no matter which caucus takes charge, they will end up serving said interests. The UFT is like a puppet that the DOE has positioned against itself as false opposition. Changing the leadership is not going to undo decades of damage.

Grades and diplomas, unfortunately, mean nothing anymore in this city, and new union leadership is not going to be able make dent in the smoke n mirros gravy train that the DOE has created for itself, all of it with the support of the UFT.

James Eterno said...

Start a non union teaching site. Have a blast.

DeBlasioMustGo! said...

Fine, I'll stop posting here.

But for the record, you're just bitter, because deep down, you know what I said is true.

Anonymous said...

Do you want to be in a union or not? Those who say no, or say to opt out, why don’t you go teach where there is no protection? The UFT has many serious issues which need to addressed. BUT a union, any union, will always be better than no union at all. It’s like saying your car sucks but it still gets you around. What do you do? You FIX your car, you might even get a NEW car, but you do not just begin walking every where.

Anonymous said...

Letting the plan implode would be fine if it did not mean some will get sick and die. How are some people not understanding of this?!

Tom said...

James - you mentioned that anyone not in the union shouldn't be commenting, but the 2:41 commenter threatening violence, while squawking about being around for 3 decades and not taking action is probably retired. Aren't you also retired? That's besides the point. I don't recall there being a member vote to strike. The townhall meetings have been informational with no debate on the merits. Sounds to me like the union keeps moving the goals posts and the city has made many concessions. Now the line in the sand has to do with testing/contact tracing. Where is the plan for administering that? Calling for solidarity while name calling (scabs) and making threats is really shameful.

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting how fsf has not been mentioned at all by city hall or the UFT.

I can’t figure out why

waitingforsupport said...

11:47...Diblahsio and Mr. Magoo oops i meant Mr. Mulgrew always see the glass half full.
Grad rate
The success of restorative justice
Covid crime
Teachers eager to return to school
Love for the students of NYC
The quality of education throughout NYC
I can go on and on. Just keep on hoping they will do right by the employees of NYC. They have done a great job so far. Keep hoping that they will have your well being at the forefront of decisions. I mean hell, you already know how they feel about the students. Look out for your self. Tip: pretend that the strike option is off the table and tomorrow is the first day back to work. What are you...not the union...going to do? Good luck.

waitingforsupport said...

@1:33
Are you being serious? I don't believe you.

James Eterno said...

Comment all you want. I just do 't understand why you would want to. I want a strong union, not no union.

James Eterno said...

Good point 4:16.

waitingforsupport said...

@ 3:08 and 3:15...
Good for you for standing up.

Anonymous said...

After all these years, you need to realize that nothing is changing. Either opt out or vote mulgrew out or do something else. Everyone is doing nothing except the opt out people.

Anonymous said...

Susan Edelman posted an article a few minutes ago about how carranza has increased his staff at tweed and has given raises while threatening jobs.

Something fishy is going on

Anonymous said...

how much COPE money went to deBlassios campanign

Bronx ATR said...

I’m trying to think of anyway Mulgrew would permit a legitimate strike. By legitimate, I mean one that isn’t stopped at the last minute as per some predetermined plan. There’s only one way I can fathom - if Randi was planning on retiring. She would need Mulgrew to show her constituencies, in the AFT, that her heir apparent to the throne had a pair of balls, at least on par to her own.

Anonymous said...

But 416. The opt out people have no union protection or lawyer, right?

waitingforsupport said...

At Diblasiomust go...
The mafia? Are they still around? Anywho sounds like the situation is hopeless and we should all just roll over and die. Personally reading different perspectives will help someone come to a resolution. Sure the mayor and uft president are not to be trusted. However WE THE PEOPLE have to do something when someone puts us in harms way. Of course changing the leadership will undo damage. It's widespread apathy of educators that's a big problem. As soon as EACH educator who is against the bullsh/% acts up...change will occur. Some teachers are against striking for Covid but will "strike" for reasons like: fake grades. Fake grad rates. Abusive students,etc. That's cool. Join the "strike" I prefer work action so that those issues can be put out in the media. We have to start speaking up and out. Why do you think folks protest? To put an end to something. If educators are really fed up being used as a tool for the "big bosses" then you better act like it. There is safety in numbers. Make the job action the beginning of speaking up for the profession.

Anonymous said...

Don't you get tired of saying pay dues and mobilize and stand up when it never leads anywhere. I could no longer stomach it. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

“If there is a 20 percent cut, let me just tell you right now, we are going 100 percent remote. We can not open our schools,” Carranza told parents, teachers, and administrators during the hours-long Panel for Educational Policy meeting on Wednesday night. This was on August 20th and Cuomo has yet to say if he is sending the money. UFT should sit back and see if the money comes. This is how Deblasio and Carranza are going to point the finger 100% at Cuomo. So let's sit back end see who wins the pissing contest (which will never end!!!)

Anonymous said...

I believe they still have overall protection. They are still entitled to most union rights. Not sure about the lawyer.

waitingforsupport said...

Mike,
I'm just a big mouth, people loving, opinion sharing warrior lol. I like to listen observe and sometimes speak. Bronx ATR and James are the experts. That being said, there isn't anything Diblahsio or Mulgrew does or plan to do that will ever surprise me. I believe we have principals who currently bypass the "hiring freeze". Your theory could be right. I just think the real power is and has always been in the hands of educators. We just keep looking for the leadership to save us. You have those people leaving the union and those people who don't vote out the current leadership. It's perfect for Mulgrew. So what to do now. If enough educators use the DOE'S policy about when an educator should stay home...the clowns will be faced with angry parents. Chaos. Shut it down time. I think I was called lazy or something by a poster. Lol. Anywho. Stay safe. Stay Union strong and vote for your life next election.

nerd said...

If CSA decides to strike or not go in for safety reasons, does that mean teachers don’t go in Regardless of what the UFT recommends we do? ( there would be no supervisors in the building?)

waitingforsupport said...

@6:13 you can't stomach someone saying mobilize and stand up? I see it differently. I prefer doing voting out the guy as opposed to leaving the union. If the voting doesn't work in getting rid of the crocodile then educators need to what:
Pull back the curtains to show the world how nyc teachers are bullied into passing everyone and that students and families are being duped,bamboozled, hoodwinked by the mayor and chancellor. In today's climate. Educators would be heros. Imo

jeff said...

Update: Map showing which of the DOE’s 32 district school leaders and principals that have collectively made calls for a school delay and/or phase in.
Almost half now call for delay
@NYCMayor

@NYCSchools


Read their statements here:
http://delay.teachersofnyc.com

Anonymous said...

To all the teachers who voted for the UFT endorsed democratic clown mayor / remember that in November!

waitingforsupport said...

Are we voting for mayor in November?

Anonymous said...

As I understand it, the last sticking point is testing? If this is the last thing between a strike or not, its pretty foolish. Why? unless your going to test everyone, staff and students, every single day, testing is moot. You can be negative on Monday and get infected on Tuesday. If your not testing on Tuesday for Wednesday it fails.

Since that was NEVER going to happen, I fail to see what the virtue is in striking. My school was deemed safe (If they are lying how would I know and my principle is awesome), they say they have adequate PPE and the schedule was agreed upon.

Is it going to be a shit show? yes. But to strike over something that unless is done through a point of care test, every day or it won't matter, is meaningless.

Anonymous said...

DeBlasio, Carranza and Mulgrew are laughing all the way to the bank at New Yorkers' expense; in life and money. They know that they are not being held accountable for anything, so they don't care about any consequences of their decisions.

In the midst of all this DOE ridiculousness, Carranza increases his harem!

Can DeBlasio, Carranza and Mulgrew be sued for neglect, misappropriation of funds, and causing severe emotional distress? Can we dump Mulgrew and use his salary to hire a lawyer to sue?

Anonymous said...

Teachers who are doing a hybrid model are now doing twice the work, twice the teaching and have to spend even more $ on supplies.

Name another profession that is doing twice the work they are contracted to do but not getting overtime pay?

Anonymous said...

I’m concerned the air filters promised, just because the extreme demand, won’t be able to arrive in time for the opening of school,” said William Carroll, a school custodial engineer who is responsible for two Brooklyn schools.

It continues to be a big undertaking for city school custodial engineers, as their amount of daily work is going to be increased by 30-40%.

Carroll says custodians need more money and more workers.

“In order for this to properly be done, [it's] gonna require a significant amount of additional manpower citywide in every building," said Carroll.

And with the first day of school less than two weeks away, Carroll says he still hasn’t gotten the cleaning chemical for the electrostatic machines or carbon dioxide readers which would help measure air quality in occupied classrooms.


“I’m responsible for every person who walks into the building and I don’t want anyone to get sick," he said.

Ventilation systems that bring in fresh air and push out stale air are critical to stopping the spread of COVID-19 if a child or teacher contracts the virus.

That’s why a video, obtained by PIX11 News earlier this week, sparked outrage from parents and teachers. The video shows toilet paper being used to test airflow in classrooms.

“The toilet paper at the end of the stick does show suction or discharge in and return air,” Carroll noted.

Still, Carroll says testing air flow in schools is a complicated, tedious task.

It’s also unclear how the city is verifying that clean air is circulating before students and teachers are back in their buildings.

“It’s gonna vary from building to building," Carroll said.

Mayor Bill de Blasio maintains engineers will inspect every classroom by Tuesday to determine if they are safe to use.

Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza says Friday is when the city will post scorecards that track the work completed at each school.

But with the first day of school, set for Sept. 10, quickly approaching, that doesn’t give staff a lot of time to prepare for teachers and students to safely be back in the buildings.

The Department of Education maintains workers are actively making improvements to its 1,800 school buildings, including inspecting and repairing existing systems, unbolting windows that have long been shuttered and placing 10,000 portable air filtration units in nurses offices and poorly ventilated spaces.

“I’m optimistic the city will provide the needed supplies... whether it can happen, I can’t say that. I don’t know,” said Carroll.

Some teachers, principals, parents and city officials believe reopening schools is being rushed and should be delayed.

The mayor and chancellor so far, maintain the the city is on track.

Anonymous said...

Is trs open? Hoe about uft borough offices? But I should put myself in jeopardy? While 30k got accommodations but I can't? Makes sense, right?

Anonymous said...

I see, but open schools. The health and safety of all of our employees and partners is our first priority. To keep everyone safe as the COVID-19/coronavirus situation continues to develop, the 65 Court Street HR Connect Service Center remains closed to walk-ins for the time being. We ask all visitors to 65 Court Street to contact our offices virtually (Open external link)so that we can help you as quickly and effectively as possible.

Anonymous said...

Ny daily news...Floyd said he wants to see the city offer retirement-eligible employees incentives to leave their jobs and offer buyouts with no immediate pension obligations to those who are not eligible to retire.

Anonymous said...

Mayor de Blasio is set to send out layoff notices Monday, but trimming the city workforce won’t come close to addressing the ginormous fiscal and economic challenges ahead.

Consider the July jobless figures out last week: 15.9 percent statewide, 20 percent (one of five workers) in the city. In The Bronx, 25 percent were jobless, a rate last seen during the Great Depression.

New York’s numbers are far worse than those for the nation, which saw only 10.2 percent of employees off the job.

Anonymous said...

ANY IDEA WHERE TEACHERS EAT LUNCH? I ASSUME IT IS UNSAFE TO SHARE A SMALL "LOUNGE."

Tom said...

@ Anonymous 9:24 - where did you hear that layoff notices are going out tomorrow? I read where someone mention that it would fit into the 30 day notice for Oct 1 - but layoffs can happen at any time. Do you really think they've gotten their paperwork together to send out these notices by tomorrow? I'm just curious where you (or anyone) heard this.

Tom said...

@9:24 - I found something regarding the layoff notices. The notices that might be coming tomorrow would be identifying those who may be affected down the road. It's not an actual layoff notice. Also, I read that provisional workers would be affected first and there's about 14,500 of those workers. They're still looking to borrow. One thing is certain - this entire thing is a huge mess.

Anonymous said...

My friend just sent me this:

*Reposting* uft

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Nobody wants to strike, nobody can afford to strike, but the Mayor has drawn a line in the sand. Next week there will likely be a strike vote. Why is important to vote YES? A lot of it has to do with politics and not actually going on strike. A vote of YES means we stand together. If we say NO we are not going into an unsafe environment, not us, not our students. On Monday, the UFT Exec Board will hold a vote. If they vote yes, then on Tuesday the Delegate Assembly will vote. We need to make a strong stance, because on Thursday the City Council is holding a hearing on delaying opening of school. So you see where this is going. If we don’t have a strong show of support for the vote, then the City Council hearing falls flat. If we have a UNANIMOUS YES, it says it is unsafe to return. The City Council will back us. The Mayor is relying on us being divided. We must stay UNITED. And to anyone who says, if we strike I will cross the picket line. Think about this: it is not only your Union sisters and brothers that you are throwing under the bus, but many principals will not think too kindly of it either. The fist is stronger than a finger.

Anonymous said...

Regarding the possible layoffs, is it going to be in reverse Seniority? Is it the last 9,000 teachers over all or will it go by school or by license? Also, you are still going to have schools without teachers. They will still have their students so who replaces them. Are they going to shuffle teachers around? The schools can probably take them back as subs but won't the city be paying out more money for the subs. Subs get 182.00 a day and then I think it doubles after 60 days. I wish someone would answer these questions.

Anon2323 said...

THIS MUST BE DONE!

1. MAYORAL CONTROL MUST GO!! LIKE DIBLASIO, HE IS SUCH A DICKFACE! Maybe Jumaane Williams will be a good fit as mayor.
2. CHANCELLOR MUST BE A DOE FORMER TEACHER 15 YEARS PLUS MINIMUM REQUIREMENT!!!!

It starts at the top we all know what needs to happen, they need to go! I ruined myself of 28,000 in my 18 years paying dues to uft they have done nothing!!! That money could have saved me financially. I still regrettably pay.

Anonymous said...

Reverse seniority - citywide - license.

TeachNY said...

The city was talking about certifying CUNY students to teach for NYC because it is an emergency. Remember-there’s also the teaching fellows.

Anonymous said...

UFT TOWNHALL WEDNESDAY 3 30
Get the latest information directly

Anonymous said...

dumbo has more year and he is out. They are getting around the hiring freeze. A school I was at just hired two new teachers.