With lives in the balance, we believe that public school educators in New York City — and nationwide — should not return to school buildings unless there are protocols and procedures in place to ensure the safety and health of the staff and students.

The city Department of Education released this detailed guidance about non-mandated counseling during this period of remote learning.

It has been a tremendously stressful time for our students, our families and us. The Department of Education agreed with the UFT that a change of pace and focus was in order during the seven days that would have been the spring break in a normal year.

Last week, many of us were surprised to learn that the city's Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings set a tentative reopening date of Monday, May 4. While we all want to return to work, we have some trepidation about the inherent hazards at our worksites prior to the office closures. In response to our concerns, and in the absence of concrete information as to what protective measures may be under consideration, on April 15 the UFT filed a demand to bargain, citing the “impact on the health and safety of our members.”

It has been a tremendously stressful time for our students, our families and us. The Department of Education agreed with the UFT that a change of pace and focus was in order during the seven days that would have been the spring break in a normal year.

Many of you have reached out to me with questions while we are working remotely during these unprecedented times. Those of you who are mandated service providers have inquired about parent/guardian contact, specifically regarding obtaining parent consent. I've also received questions about counseling supports, group counseling, confidentiality and recording encounter attendance for remote sessions in SESIS.