New York City delays in-person learning again for most students

NEW YORK (NewsNation Now) — New York City has again delayed the planned start of in-person learning for most of the more than 1 million students in its public school system.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday that most elementary school students would do remote-only learning until Sept. 29. Middle and high schools would stay remote through Oct. 1.

“We believed from day one, we could ensure health and safety first, but also ensure the best quality education,” de Blasio said. “You know if someone said, let’s focus on health and safety and we don’t care about our kids and families, I would have rejected that. If someone said, oh let’s focus on in-person learning but reject health and safety, I would have rejected that. We said we have to do it all and we have to do it right. “

Pre-kindergarten students and some other special education students will be the only ones who resume in-person instruction on Monday, as originally planned.

De Blasio and union leaders say the city needed more time to prepare for students to return to school buildings.

More New York City school coverage:

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• New York City delays reopening of schools
• New York City delays start of school year amid pressure from teachers union