On May 24, 2021, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that there would be no remote learning option for students beginning in September 2021.

In response, UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued the following statement: 

There is no substitute for in-person instruction. NYC educators want their students physically in front of them. We want as many students back in school as safely possible. We are glad the Department of Education will hold open houses to show parents how safe our schools are.

We still have concerns about the safety of a small number of students with extreme medical challenges. For that small group of students, a remote option may still be necessary.