A group of teachers held a rally on Sept. 18, in front of the Bronx office of the Department of Education (DOE) at 1 Fordham Plaza in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx, to publicize their concerns about the reopening of schools. They say the schools are not prepared to welcome students or staff back. Holding signs that read, “You Can’t Fix a 100-Year-Old Building in a Week! Duh!” and “Under-Staffed, Under-Funded, Under-Valued!” the teachers and their supporters are worried the DOE has not done enough to clean schools, staff them properly for in-person learning, nor equip students with the digital tools necessary for distance learning from home.

The DOE has instituted a plan known as “blended learning” whereby a select number of students will be physically present at school on some days of the school week, and learning remotely from home on other days. Those students in fully remote learning programs started their new school year on Monday, Sept. 14. Other students will start in a staggered fashion, with elementary students returning on Sept. 29, and middle and high schoolers on Oct. 1.

At the press conference announcing the agreement, Michael Mulgrew, president of the UFT, assured parents and teachers that the delayed opening of schools would give the DOE enough time to address safety issues. “We have made a promise to every parent, educator and student who walks into our buildings that we are doing what needs to be done to make sure you have your education, but [it] is also safe,” Mulgrew said.

Alexandra Haridopolos is a teacher and UFT delegate who does not feel enough has been done by the DOE even with assurances from the union. She was protesting with a different set of demands. “We’re demanding a full remote start to the school year to keep all of our students and their families safe,” said Haridopolos.

Together with other teachers, she plans to continue protesting. “We’re going to continue to rally in the morning, and inform the community that going to school is dangerous,” Haridopolos said. “We need parents, we need community members, teachers, and other school staff to be sitting with de Blasio and [Schools Chancellor Richard] Carranza, and Michael Mulgrew, making decisions and only then will we trust that the Department of Education can keep us safe.”