COVID and Schools

NYC bought air purifiers for every classroom during COVID. Is your school using them?

By 
Alex Zimmerman
 | June 11, 2025, 8:52pm UTC
An Intellipure air purifier sits against the wall in a New York City Classroom.
New York City purchased thousands of Intellipure air purifiers for public school classrooms. Help us investigate whether your school is still using them. (Christina Veiga / Chalkbeat)

Sign up for Chalkbeat New York’s free daily newsletter to get essential news about NYC’s public schools delivered to your inbox.

New York City invested millions of dollars outfitting every public school classroom with air purifiers as the COVID pandemic raged.

That health emergency has receded. But ensuring students and staff are breathing clean air still has important public health benefits, reducing the spread of a range of respiratory viruses, and combating pollutants like wildfire smoke, which again drifted into New York last week.

We at Chalkbeat are interested in learning whether your school is still using the air purifiers that were distributed during the pandemic.

Let us know by filling out the form below. If you are having trouble viewing this form, go here.

The Latest
Business group floats Colorado ballot measure to create a dedicated fund for workforce training

The Colorado Succeeds proposal would fully separate Pinnacol Assurance from the state, with $150 million going into a trust to help residents gain job skills.

By 
Jason Gonzales
 | Today, 12:15am UTC
Memphis board approves custodial contract after parents ask for cleaner schools

The MSCS board rejected a contract with ABM Industries twice, leaving the schools without cleaning services through January. Parents say conditions are “deplorable.”

By 
Bri Hatch
 | January 22
Close 20 Philadelphia schools? Here’s how students, officials, and families are reacting.

A key member of the Philadelphia City Council has already expressed opposition to parts of the district’s plan to close, relocate, and co-locate several schools.

By 
Rebecca Redelmeier
and
Sammy Caiola
 | January 22
Power in pride: This Brooklyn student wants to reclaim queer activism in NYC schools

Gender and sexuality alliances once led the charge for queer student activism. Student reporter Mher Melikyan says it’s time for GSAs to rebrand and reclaim that power.

By 
Mher Melikyan, The Bell
 | January 22
Indiana lawmakers advance bill that could lead more students to take the Classic Learning Test

The legislation would require the state’s public colleges and universities to consider scores from the CLT as an alternative to SAT or ACT results.

By 
Aleksandra Appleton
 | January 22
Colorado families sue private equity-backed child care chain over abuse by teacher

The teacher hit and shoved the toddlers, called them racial slurs, and yelled in their faces, according to state inspection reports.

By 
Ann Schimke
 | January 22