NYC public schools start this week, and after a brief recap of the latest news, Leonie interviewed NYC parent Robert Murtfeldand Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, to discuss why they are working to amend the current NY law: to lower the number of mandated annual school lockdown drills from four to one, and to allow parents to opt their children out. They explain how these drills can be traumatic to children and describe other policies and practices that could better ensure student safety.
DOE info and updates on school bus strike: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/transportation/transportation-overview
Class Size Matters: Comments on the DOE's inadequate class size plan, signed onto by more than 230 advocates, parents, and educators https://classsizematters.org/comments-on-the-does-class-size-reduction-plan/
NY Daily News: Some NYC class sizes could grow this year under revised draft plan: advocates https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-nyc-class-sizes-could-grow-revised-draft-plan-20230827-bk7aqeplhfe47kiyskhbg4mv5q-story.html
Mike Bloomberg 2001 campaign flyer promising to lower class size, https://classsizematters.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/bloomberg-campaign-flyer-2001.pdf
Chalkbeat: As asylum seekers continue arriving in NYC, some face school enrollment delays https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2023/8/29/23851045/school-enrollment-delays-asylum-seekers-nyc-migrants
NY Daily News: NYC public schools bracing for record influx of new migrant students: city officials, https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-hundreds-new-migrant-students-enrolled-in-local-public-schools-during-summer-20230830-mwfrboztzrg6nlsrd2zadaluqa-story.html
Assembly Bill A06665 to amend the current state law on school lockdown drills
Chalkbeat: NYC teachers get little to no training on lockdown drills, https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2022/7/13/23207447/nyc-teachers-get-little-to-no-training-on-lockdown-drills
Nature, Impacts of school shooter drills on the psychological well-being of American K-12 school communities: a social media study https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-021-00993-6
The Trace: New York Bill Seeks to Make Lockdown Drills Less Traumatic for Students.
Chalkbeat: New bill would allow NY students to opt out of lockdown drills
ABC7 NY: Lawmakers propose bill to reduce number of active shooter drills in New York schools
Spectrum: 'We're learning': Bill would set standards for required active shooter drills
CBS6 Albany: State lawmakers propose to end school lockdown drill requirements
The Hill: Active shooter drills may be traumatizing millions of students
MSNBC: Making students believe they’re about to die is not a lockdown drill. It’s abuse.
NY Daily News: NYC officials outline school safety strategies ahead of back to school https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-nyc-officials-outline-school-safety-strategies-ahead-of-back-to-school-20230901-uu6nx4yp2zdyzkp2nku7zrkxq4-story.html
ABC7NY: NYC schools to feature new front door locks and safety agents this year https://abc7ny.com/amp/back-to-school-back-to-school-nyc-public-schools/13725589
Contact info for AM Jo Anne Simon: https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Jo-Anne-Simon