Thanks to a 12-year-old student’s plea, Mayor Eric Adams decided to give NYC students and teachers Monday, Dec. 23, off too. Under the original school calendar, the holiday break started on Tuesday, Dec. 24, which meant people had to come to school on Monday, Dec. 23.

A 12-year-old, 7th-grader student from Brooklyn, suggested making the last school day of this year on Friday Dec. 20. And Adams agreed.

“It’s gonna be nice because it’s rare to have a one day school week and the extended holidays. We will have a little more time to spend time with loved ones,” says Venessa Vega, an English teacher. She is also concerned that some students will be bored due to a long break.

Alfa Aquino, a Spanish teacher says, “It’s a great opportunity to spend time with friends.” She added, “That would be complicated for travel if students had to attend that Monday.” She also states that because of one day school, the attendance would be lower on Dec. 23.. She feels that extending the break is a great decision to maintain a good attendance and travel plans.

Students will be off from school for 12 days. The next school day after the Winter Break will be January 2, 2025.