Tomorrow, Saturday, September 12th Peace Action Staten Island will lead a vital conversation that NYCID was asked to to co-host along with Above Ground Railroad, First Central Baptist Church, La Colmena, Move Forward Staten Island, Staten Island Political Action Club, Staten Island Urban Center, Staten Island Women Who March (SIWWM), Teens Take Charge NYC, United Activities Unlimited (UAU), and Young Democrats of Richmond County.  We have banded together with these great organizations to talk about the education system in New York City and how it has changed in the face of the pandemic.

 

As many people already know NYC schools have been historically underfunded and racially segregated with class sizes that are significantly larger than the rest of the state.  The pandemic has exasperated these problems.  Most schools do not have adequate ventilation systems or sinks that work.  This is concerning for parents who want their children to be as safe as possible while attending school.

 

Due to cutbacks in state and federal funding the Department of Education Chancellor announced that layoffs in the school system are at a high probability. How can the DOE pay for new sinks and proper ventilation systems when they are underfunded and we are in a time crunch? How can we protect our minority students from COVID-19?  We need a solution that keeps working parents in mind and realizes that online learning cannot permanently replace in person learning and everything that comes with it.

 

Please join us on September 12th for a discussion with community activists to hear your concerns brought to the table.  Register for the event here, you won’t want to miss this valuable information.