Twelve schools that were closed because of Superstorm Sandy reopened this morning, including four that started class ahead of schedule.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott marked the occasion with a visit to P.S. 43 in Far Rockaway Monday.
Because of flooding, power outages, and other damage from Sandy, the school was not supposed to open until November 30.
“Our most important task was getting students back in the classroom as soon as possible,” said Walcott. “Teachers, principals, custodians and facilities personnel have been working around the clock to get the vast majority of students back to their schools, and today we can welcome back 5,400 students to their original buildings. We will continue to make repairs as quickly as possible in order to get the remaining 18 schools reopened.”
Including the schools that reopened today, 26,000 students who were displaced from their schools because of the superstorm have returned to their regular buildings, but 7,800 still remain at reassigned locations.
Last Monday, Bloomberg announced a $500 million plan to help repair public schools and hospitals that were damaged by Sandy.
