Mayor Bill de Blasio Announces New Opt-in Period for NYC Schools

All NYC students will have the opportunity to opt back in for in-person learning beginning next week.

By Melissa Wickes March 22, 2021

In response to revised CDC guidance to shorten social distancing for kids in school from six feet to three feet (with masks), Mayor Bill de Blasio is opening up a new opt-in period for NYC Schools to allow families to sign children up for in-person learning once again. The opt-in period will begin this Wednesday, March 24 with all students.

Students in 3-K, Pre-K, elementary school, and elementary schoolers in District 75 programs who opt-in for in-person learning will return to school with the new 3-feet guidance beginning in April. Middle and high school students will be included in the opt-in period to get a sense of how many parents want to send their students back, despite the fact that the social distancing guidelines are still at six feet for these grades. Updates as to when they will return for in-person learning are to come.

Here is the form parents can use to change their child's learning preferences at NYC schools. You must also submit the COVID-19 testing consent form for your child by the first day your child begins in-person learning. You can do so through your New York City Schools Account under "Manage Account" or by completing and signing the consent form and bringing it to your child's school on the first day they are back in the school building.

The goal, says de Blasio, is to get as many kids back in person as possible and eventually as many in 5-day-a-week learning as possible. de Blasio says more information about this opt-in period will be available within the coming days.

"Our focus on health and safety will not change with the updated CDC guidance," says Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter. "We will continue to follow the focus and keep a close eye on community transmission."

de Blasio says the NYC Department of Education will continue to work with the CDC to determine the best and safest way to proceed with in-person learning.