NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A group of South Bronx principals have signed a letter expressing concerns about the city's plan to allow schools to hold outdoor classes this fall, saying their neighborhoods are "not conducive to safe outdoor instruction" due to gun violence and drug use.
The letter, signed by nearly two dozen District 7 principals, was released a day after Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city would "give schools the option to do as much outdoors as they can," the New York Post reported.
"Our District has been in the grips of a wave of gun violence that is dangerously affecting and can further exacerbate the safety conditions for all members in our Learning Community," the letter said. "A few days ago, a woman was shot to death in front of one of our district schools. Our area is not conducive to safe outdoor instruction."
Most of the parks adjacent to District 7 schools, the letter noted, have to "be cleaned daily as syringes and other drug paraphernalia are constantly found there each morning among broken beer bottles, urine, etc."
"How are we going to safeguard our students and staff from events that are out of our control due to the high crime in the area?" the letter asked. "We have yet to hear a plan to address this concern."
The letter also expressed concerns about the safety of in-person learning in general, saying schools should be given the option of "phasing-in" blended learning between Sept. 21 and Oct. 18.
In a statement provided to the Post, City Hall spokesperson Avery Cohen said the city "know(s) this is an incredibly difficult time for school leaders across the city."
"We're continuing to work with our union partners to guarantee a successful reopening and will not rest until every single school has what they need to begin the school year safely," Cohen added.
