New Rochelle parents, teachers union call for all district schools to close amid coronavirus

Not all schools in New Rochelle are closed, but some parents think they should be.

News 12 Staff

Mar 11, 2020, 6:50 PM

Updated 1,505 days ago

Share:

Not all schools in New Rochelle are closed, but some parents think they should be.
Davis Elementary, which is outside of the containment zone, was open on Wednesday.
Parents say if the goal is to contain coronavirus, they should close.  Leaders of New Rochelle teacher’s union FUSE agree.
News 12 spoke with the president of FUSE, and he calls the decision to only close schools within the containment zone baffling and disappointing.
He says there are several reasons for this, including that there are a lot of students in the district that don't go to their assigned schools, there are magnet schools in the district, so students can apply to go to another school and some have siblings in different schools that may be open or closed.
The president also said that it is a hardship for many working parents and teachers in the district who may have young children in the containment zone, but work at a school that is open.
Two parents told News 12 they are keeping their kids home because they feel the district has failed in responding to coronavirus concerns.
"I think closing only three schools is a misstep by the superintendent. I don’t quite understand the medical science behind it. It is as if the coronavirus is only going to live in the containment circle and not come into other parts of the city,” says Martin Daly, president of New Rochelle FUSE.
CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION: What you can do to protect yourself
PHOTOS: The impact of the coronavirus outbreak around the world:
undefined
News 12 will host a 30-minute call-in show every night this week at 7 p.m. from March 9 to March 13 where experts will answer your questions about the coronavirus. The show will be followed by a special Facebook Live Q&A. The call in number is 914-378-4610.  


More from News 12
2:50
Traffic delays and road closures expected as Irvington set to host President Joe Biden today

Traffic delays and road closures expected as Irvington set to host President Joe Biden today

1:45
Sunny and pleasant today, freeze warnings overnight

Sunny and pleasant today, freeze warnings overnight

1:57
Schools in Westchester County announce early dismissals ahead of President Biden's visit

Schools in Westchester County announce early dismissals ahead of President Biden's visit

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:25
Dramatic video captures car fire in Nanuet

Dramatic video captures car fire in Nanuet

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:24
New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

0:24
Breeze Airways expands services from Westchester County Airport

Breeze Airways expands services from Westchester County Airport

1:47
Saddle up for a western-style riding adventure at Hollow Brook Riding Academy!

Saddle up for a western-style riding adventure at Hollow Brook Riding Academy!

0:27
Oklahoma woman pleads guilty in fatal Newburgh drunk driving crash

Oklahoma woman pleads guilty in fatal Newburgh drunk driving crash

0:45
Yonkers officer faces charges in off-duty Bronxville accident

Yonkers officer faces charges in off-duty Bronxville accident

0:21
Dutchess County drivers awarded free cars after completing empowerment program

Dutchess County drivers awarded free cars after completing empowerment program

0:35
20 Hudson Valley public high schools among top 100 in New York state

20 Hudson Valley public high schools among top 100 in New York state

1:09
Headlines: Burglary guilty plea, illegal AR-15 possession, library larceny

Headlines: Burglary guilty plea, illegal AR-15 possession, library larceny

0:17
St. Barnabas High School marks 100 years of education at New Rochelle gala

St. Barnabas High School marks 100 years of education at New Rochelle gala

0:27
Manhattan College and Rockland Community College partnership allows seamless student transfers

Manhattan College and Rockland Community College partnership allows seamless student transfers

0:25
Orangeburg students crowned winners of entrepreneurship competition

Orangeburg students crowned winners of entrepreneurship competition

0:26
Luxury VIP experience coming to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

Luxury VIP experience coming to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

0:26
Westchester County DA candidate William Wagstaff secures spot on Democratic primary ballot

Westchester County DA candidate William Wagstaff secures spot on Democratic primary ballot

2:27
How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze