Parents, teachers still confused about reopening plan for schools

School starts in a few weeks on Long Island, but for some families, it's still unclear what exactly that education will look like.

News 12 Staff

Aug 17, 2020, 9:32 PM

Updated 1,439 days ago

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School starts in a few weeks on Long Island, but for some families, it's still unclear what exactly that education will look like.
Melinda Gobin, of Central Islip, says she's choosing to keep her two young children home this fall even though her district is offering hybrid learning.
"As a mother, you know the gut feeling you go with -- and I just feeling safer being home with them," said Gobin.
Based on infection rates in the area, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said that schools are allowed to reopen but the details are up to each individual school district.
"There isn't a script for this. This is the first time for everybody," said Dr. Bob Dillon, superintendent of Nassau BOCES.
According to a survey sent to parents at Nassau BOCES, 70% are choosing face-to-face instruction.
Teachers across the Island are also concerned about how they'll be teaching and obviously about safety.
"Even with those of us who are planning to return, there is still a lot of anxiety about the day to day -- how much exposure we're going to have. Some of us have been quarantining all of this time and now we're going to be in a building with hundreds of students, even if they're alternating days, so it's going to be an adjustment for all of us," said president of the Farmingdale Federation of Teachers Cordelia Anthony.
According to state guidelines, districts are required to hold between three and five public sessions with parents and teachers by this Friday.
The governor's office confirmed that plans for all Long Island districts have been submitted.


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