By Christina Veiga, Alex Zimmerman and Reema Amin, Chalkbeat New York



Amid growing coronavirus concerns, New York City's teachers union as well as the union representing school administrators called on Friday for the country's largest school system to close its doors in the face of Mayor Bill de Blasio's strident opposition. "We understand the immense disruption this will create for our families," teachers union president Michael Mulgrew said in a statement. "But right now more than a million students and staff crisscross the city every day on their way to schools, putting themselves and others at risk of exposure and increasing the likelihood of bringing exposure into their homes and communities."

Meanwhile, New York City parents, educators, and schools are increasingly taking matters into their own hands as concerns about coronavirus mount — along with the number of confirmed cases. Some schools have begun to make work available online and are allowing absences to be excused for students who don't feel comfortable coming to class. Meanwhile, frustrated families are turning to Twitter and Facebook groups, voicing their anger and concern about the situation — as well as sharing homeschooling schedules and other tips to keep students busy, engaged, and following some sort of a routine as more and more are opting to keep children home. Even the education department this week posted grade-by-grade curriculum materials that can be completed at home.

"I'm not taking any risks," said Tracy Wong, a stay-at-home mom in Flushing, Queens, who kept her 4-year-old preschooler, who suffers from asthma, home from P.S. 120. "I spoke to the teacher yesterday about him staying home. I was very honest with her. She said I applaud you for going with your gut. It's a very scary time right now." Wong, who is also asthmatic and worries about the risk to her and her son given they are at risk of respiratory ailments, added, " I don't trust being around people right now."

In Manhattan's District 2, some parents on the Community Education Council called on the city to issue a clear mandate that parents can keep their children home, and are pushing for state tests to be cancelled.

"A citywide policy is important. It can't be left up to individual schools," said Shino Tanikawa, a member of District 2 Community Education Council, who allowed her own daughter to stay home on Friday. "He's not responding to parents who want to keep their kids at home."

Tensions ran high on Friday as the officials confirmed the first case of a New York City public school student contracting the coronavirus. Due to links to the disease's spread, seven district schools and programs shuttered, affecting more than 4,000 students. Success Academy, the city's largest charter network with 18,000 students, announced it will move to remote learning next week; at least one other charter network, Democracy Prep, followed suit. Many City Council members, including Speaker Corey Johnson, called for a system-wide approach for the country's largest school system, while recognizing the challenge that widespread closures will fall hard on students who rely on schools to stay fed, and for families who need childcare in order to work.