The Department of Education has canceled all in-person parent-teacher conferences scheduled for the end of this week, saying they will done electronically or by phone amid rising coronavirus concerns.<\/p>\n
Normally held in person, the conferences on Thursday and Friday, March 12-13, \u201cwill still take place but parents should not attend in person,\u201d\u00a0the DOE said in a tweet. \u201cInstead, Parent Teacher Conferences will occur by phone or virtually.\u201d<\/p>\n
If parents are unable to arrange for the remote meetings, the DOE said they will furnish future opportunities to consult with teachers.<\/p>\n
Teachers union chief Michael Mulgrew lauded the move amid spiraling COVID-19 fears.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe DOE made the right decision,\u201d he said in a statement.\u00a0 \u201cGiven the level of concern over the coronavirus, parent-teacher conferences in the upcoming weeks should be conducted by phone or internet.\u201d<\/p>\n
The DOE has repeatedly stated that closures are not imminent but has reached out to principals to gauge their readiness to conduct classes remotely.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, nearly 110,000 people have signed a petition demanding the closure of city schools.<\/p>\n
Launched last week, the petition implores Gov. Cuomo to shutter the system while the city devises a plan to contain the lethal contagion.\u201d<\/strong>Our kids and the staff members are taking the subway to school every day, contacting a lot people on the subway and in school,\u201d the petition argues. \u201cI think they are in an extremely dangerous situation.\u201d<\/p>\n In lieu of regular classes, the Department of Education should turn to remote learning, the suddenly popular campaign states.<\/p>\n \u201cWe think surviving is the main priority now,\u201d it reads. \u201cWith today\u2019s technology, we will still be able to progress academically as well as keep everyone safe.\u201d<\/p>\n Comments on the petition argued that kids should not have to take subways and buses during the scare and that health should be the DOE\u2019s priority.<\/p>\n Judging from the tone of the comments, student concern is beginning to soar.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m signing because I don\u2019t want to die because of school,\u201d wrote one signee. \u201cI\u2019d rather learn online then go to school and get the coronavirus.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read Also<\/p>\n