Here's How New York Schools Could Look This Fall

NEW YORK, NY — As New York students enjoy their summer break, many have wondered aloud — privately and publicly — if and how schools will reopen in the fall.

Kids haven't physically been in a classroom since mid-March, when Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered school buildings to close to curb the spread of the coronavirus. As of Thursday, nearly 400,000 New Yorkers tested positive for the COVID-19 disease, caused by the virus, including more than 40,000 people each in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

But New York has since gotten its infection rate to about 1 percent, and Cuomo has touted that his state has managed to go from having one of the worst outbreaks in the country to one of the best. As such, seven regions have been allowed to enter Phase Four of the New York Forward reopening plan: Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier and Western New York.

While that phase includes guidelines for reopening higher education institutions such as colleges and universities, it makes no mention of k-12 schools. Muddying the waters even more: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared Thursday that his city, which is currently in Phase Two, will reopen schools in some form in September, flouting Cuomo's repeated remarks that only the state has the authority to do so.

"The state law governing schools and business closings or openings has been in effect since the pandemic first started and all such decisions are made by state government and not local government," Dani Lever, Cuomo's communications director, said in a statement. "Of course the state consults with local stakeholders and when it comes to opening schools in New York City we will consult with parents, teachers, health officials and local elected officials - but the Governor has said any determination is premature at this point and we will need to see how the virus develops."

Cuomo has instructed school districts to draft reopening plans for the "new normal" in the event schools can open, Lever said. While he hopes schools can resume inside lessons, the governor will "not endanger the health of students or teachers." An official determination will be made once his office has more information.

What Schools Could Look Like

Even though New York officials have remained short on details about reopening schools, some restrictions and limitations placed on other indoor activities and industries will likely carry through, particularly when it comes to social distancing, face-coverings, sanitization protocols, avoiding large gatherings and closing areas where groups tend to congregate.

Businesses such as restaurants, hair salons, and professional offices in New York all have to implement social distancing policies where possible. Commonly used objects aren't supposed to be shared, masks must be worn when not seated, tables and chairs are supposed to remain 6 feet apart, and buildings must remain at no more than half capacity. Furthermore, surfaces must be frequently sanitized.

For higher education institutions in New York, people must cover their faces anytime they come within 6 feet of another person who doesn't live in the same residence.

Staff, students and visitors must cover their faces in common areas or situations where social distancing is difficult, such as in elevators, classroom doorways, student centers, and even traveling around campus. Hygiene stations must be installed throughout the institution with places where people can wash their hands with soap and running warm water, as well as use hand sanitizer.

Ensure employees, students and visitors undergo proper health screenings, including temperature checks and questionnaires to assess whether a person experienced symptoms recently or came in contact with someone who has. Employees on campus must be screened every day and students must be screened periodically, but not as often.

Parents and students can also look to neighboring states for an idea at what classrooms may look like.

In New Jersey, school districts are now required to adopt a policy for screening students and employees for COVID-19 symptoms and history of exposure. They must also attempt to keep kids socially distanced within classrooms and school buses. Those that cannot social distance should make additional changes to keep people safe, including installing physical barriers between desks and turning them to face the same direction. Physical guides such as tape on floors or sidewalks and signs on walls must be implemented to help ensure social distancing.

School districts in that state also must adopt cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and school staff and visitors must wear face coverings unless doing so puts the person at risk for other health problems. Students, are "strongly encouraged" to cover their faces when social distancing is impossible, but it's not required. If districts continue using cafeterias and other group dining areas, they must stagger eating times. Furthermore, all family-style, self-service, and buffet-style dining is banned, recess must be staggered, playground equipment must be disinfected, and officials were asked to consider closing locker rooms.

In Connecticut, similar restrictions will be implemented, including mandating that all staff and students cover their faces when inside school buildings or in buses. Certain exemptions are allowed, such as when teachers are providing instruction.

Schools in that state were asked to review — and redesign — building space to maximize social distancing, such as using gyms and auditoriums. Students should also be grouped into a cohort so each team functions independently as much as possible.