Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday that New York City has the strongest reopening plan in the United States, including the proposal of outdoor learning.
The mayor says outdoor learning, which was proposed this summer by city Comptroller Scott Stringer, encourages all schools to use outdoor space.
He says it is up to the school principals on whether they want to use outdoor space for learning.
Schools can use yards to set up classrooms and can request additional space starting Monday.
Any application for additional space that is done by Friday will have a response by next week, according to Mayor de Blasio.
The mayor says the city is prioritizing 27 of the hardest hit neighborhoods and schools without outdoor space. This includes eight in Brooklyn (Bed Stuy, Brighton Beach, Brownsville, Bushwick, Canarsie, Flatbush, East New York and Starrett City and Sunset Park) and eight in the Bronx (East Tremont, Highbridge, Longwood and Hunts Point, Morris Heights, Morrisania and Crotona, Mott Haven and Melrose, Soundview and Soundview Brucker, Van Cortlandt Park and Jerome Park).
Security for outdoor learning will likely be provided by DOT, school safety and NYC Parks when applicable. The mayor says it is not likely going to fall on the NYPD.
The mayor also announced, “Get Tested Tuesday,” which is a special promotion with the New York Yankees.
The first 4,000 people tested at NYC Health + Hospitals sites Tuesday will receive Yankees gear giveaways.