Since the closing of the schools due to COVID in March 2020, it’s been hard on students, academically and emotionally.  How can you find the desire to learn when you're staring at a screen at 8 in the morning?

After a year and a half of Zoom school, former Mayor de Blasio decided that it was time for every student to go back in person. In September of 2021, schools finally reopened. But then, when the new year came around… Omicron entered the scene. The week we got back from winter break, school felt like a ghost town.

I wanted to take you on a day of my life in school during Omicron, from the morning to dismissal, to show everyone what school really was like. This is January 14th.

Episode 6: “School Felt Like A Ghost Town”

New York City is home to the nation’s most segregated school system, a fact that surprises those who think of the Big Apple as a progressive beacon. Deep inequities exist at every level of the NYC school system. We think more people should know about them and push to fix them.
That's why, each semester, we bring together a team of high school interns from across the school system to tell important stories from the perspective of the real experts: students.
Miseducation is a program of The Bell. For more, visit bellvoices.org/podcast and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @miseducationpod.

Personal Journals

Society & Culture

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Government

In this special episode, student reporters Shoaa Khan and Jose Santana speak to Chancellor David Banks about a range of important issues that affect students. Hear what the leader of the NYC public school system had to say about a new "Hidden Voices" history curriculum, school start times, the persistence of school segregation, cell phone policies, and more.Want to get in touch? Email us at PSweekly@chalkbeat.org.To stay up to date on New York City schools coverage throughout the week, sign up for Chalkbeat New York's daily newsletter at ckbe.at/subscribe-ny.Learn more about The Bell's student programs and podcasts at bellvoices.org.

P.S. Weekly: An Exclusive Interview with Chancellor David Banks

In the first segment, student producer Christian Rojas Linares explores a new apprenticeship program through the eyes of Heidy Torres, a high school junior who works 16 hours a week for Bloomberg, the finance giant and media company.

The second segment, produced by Marcellino Melika and Tanvir Kaur, focuses on a student who has devoted enormous energy to getting into a top college — submitting 23 applications requiring 50 supplemental essays.Want to get in touch? Email us at PSweekly@chalkbeat.org.To stay up to date on New York City schools coverage throughout the week, sign up for Chalkbeat New York's daily newsletter at ckbe.at/subscribe-ny.Learn more about The Bell's student programs and podcasts at bellvoices.org.

P.S. Weekly: A High Schooler Working at Bloomberg — Plus “Shotgunning” College Applications

More than 200,000 New York City students have a disability classification that entitles them to specific learning accommodations — but do they always get them? Students share their experiences.RSVP for "Inside P.S. Weekly" Zoom event on April 17: https://ckbe.at/psweeklyWant to get in touch? Email us at PSweekly@chalkbeat.org.To stay up to date on New York City schools coverage throughout the week, sign up for Chalkbeat New York's daily newsletter at ckbe.at/subscribe-ny.Learn more about The Bell's student programs and podcasts at bellvoices.org.

P.S. Weekly: Students Speak Out About Special Education

The national wave of book bans has been coming ashore in surprising ways in New York City.
News Bulletin – Chalkbeat reporter Alex Zimmerman breaks down top education stories from the past week. (1 min)
Segment A  – Student reporter Salma Baksh interviews her former librarian Lindsay Klemas, who received online backlash for promoting an LGBTQ+ book during Pride month. (8 min)
Segment B – Shoaa Khan and Tanvir Kaur take us to an English class at the Academy of American Studies, where students read banned books — exclusively. (6 min)RSVP for "Inside P.S. Weekly" Zoom event on April 17: https://ckbe.at/psweeklyWant to get in touch? Email us at PSweekly@chalkbeat.org.To stay up to date on New York City schools coverage throughout the week, sign up for Chalkbeat New York's daily newsletter at ckbe.at/subscribe-ny.Learn more about The Bell's student programs and podcasts at bellvoices.org.

P.S. Weekly: A New York Chapter on the Banned Books Controversy

Officials estimate that more than 36,000 migrant students have enrolled in New York City public schools over the past two years.

What challenges are these new students facing? And what are schools doing to support them? This student-reported episode explores these questions through conversations with students, educators, and a journalist who's been covering the issue.

Segment A
Chalkbeat Reporter Michael Elsen-Rooney breaks down the issue and how the broader media narratives don't necessarily reflect experiences on the ground. (6 min)

Segment B
Student reporter Jose Santana interviews a Claremont International High School student about her transition to the school system and how one program has made a big difference. (9 min)

Segment C
Student reporter Bernie Carmona talks to Sunisa Nuosy, a former international high school teacher about the joys and challenges of educating immigrant students. (7 min)

Additional reading:
• Read this story about students from NYC’s largest school for newcomer immigrants as they push for a change in the school name
• Read this first-person story from an educator advocating for more school social workers to support NYC migrant students

To stay up to date on New York City schools coverage throughout the week, sign up for Chalkbeat New York's daily newsletter at chalkbeat.org/newsletters.

Learn more about The Bell's student programs and podcasts at bellvoices.org.Want to get in touch? Email us at PSweekly@chalkbeat.org.

Episode 6: “School Felt Like A Ghost Town”

Download our free app to listen on your phone