Suggesting, Lacking, Needing

As announced yesterday, the Mayor has given schools the go-ahead for outdoor learning. I don’t mean to be brief in my description, but that does fully describe it.

As announced yesterday, the Mayor has given schools the go-ahead for outdoor learning. I don’t mean to be brief in my description, but that does fully describe it.

It was given the go-ahead just ten days after schools were required to submit their hybrid learning plans to the Department of Education (DOE). Those plans had to detail student capacity, which now is likely to shift again.

Outdoor learning is, rightly, seen as a good idea on its own. However, the context in which it was announced and under which it will be implemented is opaque, especially if one cares about educational equity.

Areas with the highest infection rates are ostensibly given priority, but those are also the areas lacking in resources, and PTA funding. Chancellor Carranza suggested that well-heeled PTAs could, but are not compelled, to make up gaps for those less endowed. The Mayor hasn’t provided an estimate of how much this could cost. A suggestion is hardly a guarantee when it comes to health and finances- especially when the city continues to have an unemployment rate above 20%.

Yet again, this highlights the need for federal aid and absent such help state assistance. If anyone receiving this email is one of his major donors, please feel free to share it with our Governor.

Anyway, I’ll stop there and remind you that there are less than 40 days to complete the census, recommend that you check out the items below my signature, including tonight’s NYCHA town hall and Thursday’s “Java with Jo Anne”.

No matter what, enjoy the rest of your Tuesday.

This is the web archive of a newsletter originally sent by email to Brooklyn Community Board 6 subscribers on Tuesday, August 25, 2020. The email edition may contain additional event listings and links.