Mayor Mamdani, Schools Chancellor Samuels Announce Return to In-Person Learning Tuesday

 

TODAY, Mayor Zohran K. Mamdani and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels (NYCPS) announced that all New York City Public Schools will be open for in-person learning Tuesday, Jan. 27, following a one-day pivot to remote instruction Monday.  

 

All programs and activities will resume as scheduled. 

 

“As dedicated city workers mobilized across all five boroughs to clear our streets and keep New Yorkers safe, teachers and students this morning came together online – reading, learning and staying connected,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Thanks to the round-the-clock work of our schools facilities teams, we are ready to welcome students and staff back to classrooms tomorrow. I am deeply grateful to our school leaders, educators and families for making today’s remote learning day a success and for preparing our students to return.” 

 

“When it mattered most, our communities worked together to weather the storm,” said Schools Chancellor Samuels. “To our dedicated school staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure our pathways are clear, our classrooms are warm and breakfast is served tomorrow – thank you. To all our educators, school leaders and staff who made the pivot to remote learning successful, and to our students and families for their partnership and adaptability – thank you. I’m proud to lead such a dynamic and resilient school system in a city that once again rose to the occasion.” 

 

Over the weekend and throughout Monday, NYCPS deployed facilities teams to every school building to prepare for students’ return. This work included ice and snow removal at school entrances and surrounding areas, as well as measures to ensure buildings are properly heated for students and staff.  

 

The decision to pivot to remote instruction on Monday prioritized the safety of students, families and staff while maintaining continuity of learning and meeting New York State’s 180-day instructional requirement. Preliminary data show that nearly 375,000 students and parents –  nearly 80% of expected students -- successfully logged into virtual classrooms, supported by more than 125,000 educators. High school students and students in grades six through eight attending schools that serve grades six through twelve maintained the day off on Monday, due to a previously scheduled professional learning day.   

 

The successful transition to remote learning was made possible through close interagency collaboration, which ensured students had the necessary devices and connectivity, log-in systems were stress-tested and classrooms were ready to open Tuesday.