MAYOR DE BLASIO AND CHANCELLOR CARRANZA ANNOUNCE “OUTDOOR LEARNING” INITIATIVE

 

  Mayor de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza today announced "Outdoor Learning”, a citywide outdoor learning initiative for the 2020-21 academic year.  The program will allow schools to hold classes outdoors in schoolyards, adjacent streets, and nearby park space. The program is open to all public, charter, and private schools, as well as Learning Bridges. Schools in areas hardest-hit by COVID-19 with no outdoor space will receive priority for the program. 

“We are doing everything in our power to bring our kids back to school safely,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Outdoor Learning will give all of our children the quality education they deserve in a safe and socially distanced environment.”

“As a teacher and school leader, I always knew how important it was for kids to get some time outdoors, and as we get closer to reopening I’m excited to offer Outdoor Learning to schools across the City, even those without a yard,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza.  Our students need time to run and play, explore and create in a safe, socially distanced way. Outdoor Learning provides more of that, more often, and we are grateful to our sister agencies for working together to make this possible

Beginning today, school principals can submit a request for learning space in school adjacent streets and nearby parks. Schools that wish to use their own, on-site yards are also being asked to fill out the survey to notify the Department of Education.  Proposals submitted by Friday, August 28th will receive responses by September 4th. Additional requests can also be submitted on a rolling basis. 

 

The Department of Education will work to accommodate schools’ requests to the greatest extent possible, unless the arrangement will not be feasible or safe.” All submissions will be reviewed by an interagency working group comprised of the Department of Parks & Recreation, Department of Transportation, Department of Sanitation, FDNY,  NYPD. Schools must provide barriers and staffing to close any street. When submitting a street location, schools are strongly encouraged to select streets with the following criteria:

 

• Is a quiet, non-commercial street;
• Is a one-way street; if two-way, not more than one lane of traffic in each direction;
• Is not an MTA bus route or truck route;
• Is not used  by a police/fire station, parking garage, or hospital.

 

The City encourages schools to hold classes that require additional spacing per public health guidelines, such as Physical Education, Art, Music Chorus and Drama in an outdoor setting. Additional academic classes can also be conducted outdoors where space permits if a school has an interest in doing so.

 

New York City's plan for reopening schools is among the most rigorous in the world, with Outdoor Learning being one of many tools the City is using to guarantee a safe reopening. The program will prioritize schools in neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic with no outdoor space at their schools:

 

Borough	Neighborhood
Bronx	Van Cortland Park and Jerome Park
Bronx	Soundview and Soundview Bruckner
Bronx	Mott Haven and Melrose
Bronx	Longwood and Hunts Point
Bronx	Highbridge
Bronx	East Tremont
Bronx	Morris Heights
Bronx	Morrisania and Crotona
Manhattan	Washington Heights and Inwood
Manhattan	Hamilton Heights and Morningside Heights
Manhattan	LES and Chinatown
Manhattan	East Harlem
Manhattan	Central Harlem
Brooklyn	Brighton Beach
Brooklyn	Brownsville
Brooklyn	East New York and Starrett City
Brooklyn	Sunset Park
Brooklyn	Canarsie
Brooklyn	Bushwick
Brooklyn	Bed-stuy
Brooklyn	East Flatbush
Queens	Corona
Queens	Briarwood
Queens	Jamaica
Queens	Rockaway and Far Rockaway
Queens	Queensbridge
Staten Island	Stapleton - St. George

 

"From Open Streets to Open Restaurants, New York City has shown the crucial role that streets can play in aiding our recovery from COVID-19,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. "For the new school year, Outdoor Learning is the next step.  Working closely with the DOE and our agency partners, we will find and assess streets and other outdoor locations suitable for safely hosting students, prioritizing communities of color hit hardest by the pandemic

 

“The Fire Department is committed to the safety of all New Yorkers. We will work closely with our fellow agencies, including the Department of Education, to ensure a safe learning environment for students and a continued quick response to all fires and medical emergencies.”