New York City students face hot first day of school, possibility of bus drivers strike
NEW YORK -- It's the first day of school in New York City for the more than one million students in public schools.
The start of the school year comes with some hurdles, including the high temperatures and the possibility of a bus drivers strike in the weeks ahead. The city advised public schools to move all outdoor activities inside until 6 p.m.
CBS New York's John Dias spent the morning at P.S. 121 in the Bronx, where he saw lots of smiling faces as they headed back to class, along with lots of thanks since the school has air conditioners. It was a day 5-year-old Sevyn Postell had been anticipating.
Watch: NYC schools welcome students back
"I love it and I am going to school today," the new kindergartener told Dias.
Her level of excitement for her first day met only by the high temperatures the Tri-State Area is grappling with.
"It's really hot," Postell said.
Her mother was relieved the school has air conditioners.
"So long as it's running, I think she will be OK," said mom Taylor Morgan.
The heat was one of the main topics of conversation at the school's first drop-off of the year, as kids waited in the hot September sun.
"Hot, it's going to feel like 100 degrees today," third grader Jayden Anderson said.
"It's hot, but we just came back from North Carolina, so I can definitely take this heat," said Jasmine Benjamin.
Watch: Schools Chancellor Banks in studio
When it comes to the kids, the city said in a statement it wants to, "ensure their wellness and safety during this heat advisory."
However, United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said the city was not prepared to deal with the extreme heat.
"I am not happy that New York City has not completed its Cool Schools program... that said every classroom in New York City would be air conditioned. It's not," he said.
Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks were also at P.S. 121 greeting kids as they headed back to school. They made no mention of the dangerous heat, but did speak about other issues this school year could face, including a school bus strike if a deal is not reached by the city and the school bus union by Monday.
Watch: Banks extended one-on-one
"Everything from potential school bus issues, to the surge of new arrivals of young people that want to be educated that are our asylum seekers, to dealing with the challenges of budget cuts, all of these things we have to still produce a product that will allow our children to be ready for the future," said Adams.
Mulgrew was not as optimistic about the possible strike or the city's plan to deal with it.
"If Monday there is a bus strike, there is a contingency plan, but let's be honest with each other, it's going to be a mess," he said.
Buses will be running for the first days of school Thursday and Friday but the chancellor said parents should expect some hiccups.
Stick with CBS New York for complete back-to-school coverage.
