Longer winter breaks for New York public school students are on the horizon for next academic year.
Hey there! It's almost unbelievable that we've already ventured five whole months into June this year! In January, whispers about extending the winter break for New York public school students swirled around. Now, it appears those dreams are becoming a tangible reality!
The 2025-26 NYC public schools' calendar reveals a curious twist: it will include a brief week off at the end of the winter holiday period, with schools closing from December 24 to January 1. This means students and staff must attend school for an entire week of one-day school days upon return. This adjustment was also initially planned for the preceding holiday season in 2024, but Mayor Adams decided to grant an extra holiday on December 23 to provide families with an additional day together during the winter holidays – and it seems this tradition will continue!
The updated 2025-26 school calendar published by New York public schools shows winter vacation extending from December 24 to January 2. The United Federation of Teachers has confirmed the extended winter break, eliciting joy from its members with the message, "We made it happen! January 2 is now an official part of winter vacation."
Though the end-of-year break may seem distant, students' minds are likely preoccupied with anticipation of the much-coveted summer vacation. To ease the wait, there are still a couple of exciting holidays to look forward to: June 5 for Eid al-Adha and June 19 for the school's 19th anniversary celebration.
Finally, plans are underway for the addition of new ferry stops at LaGuardia and Citi Field as part of a new taxpayer-funded scheme. Stay tuned for more updates on this front!
As the winter vacation in New York public schools extends from December 24 to January 2, students and staff may face a challenge, attending school for an entire week of one-day school days upon return, potentially causing fatigue and illness like a fever. In light of this extended break, it would be beneficial for students to use this time for education and self-development, such as reading books or taking online courses, to make the most of the extra time off.
