Dear Members of the Kings Park Central School District Board of Education,

We, the members of the Kings Park community, respectfully submit this letter regarding the proposed calendar for the 2026–2027 school year. After reviewing the draft, we are deeply concerned that Spring Break has once again been scheduled in a way that does not align with Passover. The proposed break is divided between March and April and covers only three days of the holiday, making it difficult for many families to fully observe Passover and creating significant challenges for a broad range of households throughout our district.

Additionally, we recognize the importance of retaining days off for Holy Thursday and Good Friday, which hold deep meaning for many Christian families in Kings Park. We firmly believe the district can honor both Passover and these important Christian observances while still maintaining the required minimum of 180 instructional days for New York State compliance.

A similar situation occurred only a few years ago. Many families—especially those who observe Passover—voiced their concerns at that time, and several have stayed engaged at Board meetings specifically to prevent a recurrence. Yet we find ourselves once again faced with a calendar that overlooks the timing of this major holiday.

Impact on Jewish Families

For Jewish families in our district, the timing of Spring Break directly affects the ability to participate fully in one of the most important holidays of the year. While parents technically have the option to keep their children home for religious observance, this places an unreasonable burden on families—particularly those with children across multiple schools. Missing a full week of instruction places excessive academic pressure on students, especially at the intermediate, middle, and high school levels.

Many Jewish community members recall their own public school experiences, where the calendar consistently reflected the timing of Passover. Being able to celebrate with extended family—sharing meals, laughing around crowded tables, observing traditions without stress—was integral to the holiday. Something as simple as not having to bring matzoh and Passover lunches to school made students feel seen, respected, and included.

In today’s climate, when Jewish families across the country are experiencing increased fear and concern for their safety, gestures of recognition and support from local institutions carry significant emotional weight. Aligning Spring Break with Passover sends a clear message that Kings Park values and supports all of its families, including those from smaller religious communities.

Impact on All Families—Not Only Jewish Households

This issue affects far more than religious observance. A misaligned Spring Break impacts:

Families with children in other school districts (NYC, Nassau, and various Suffolk districts) that will align their Spring Break with Passover.

Teachers and staff who work in other districts, whose work breaks will not match their children’s time off.

Working parents who rely on synchronized school schedules for childcare planning.

Families who plan travel, vacations, or use the time for meaningful family tradition.

Children and extended family members who look forward to spending time with cousins and friends from other districts, which becomes far more difficult when breaks do not align.

Family time during Spring Break—shared vacations, gatherings, playdates, and holiday traditions—is a deeply valued part of the school year for many households. When calendars conflict, these opportunities are lost, and the sense of community that comes from shared time off is weakened.

A unified Spring Break benefits the entire community by providing consistency, reducing childcare complications, and supporting strong family relationships and well-being.

Ensuring Days Off for Holy Thursday and Good Friday

We also recognize that Holy Thursday and Good Friday are deeply meaningful for many Christian families in Kings Park. These days have long been observed in our district and throughout New York schools. Preserving them in the calendar ensures families are able to observe their faith with dignity, attend religious services, and uphold traditions without disruption.

We strongly believe that maintaining these days off is both appropriate and respectful—and that it is entirely possible to do so while still aligning Spring Break with Passover.

Historical and Regional Context

Across New York public schools, Winter Break traditionally aligns with Christmas, and Spring Break has historically aligned with Passover—regardless of whether Easter overlaps in a given year. This approach has long served as a practical and inclusive solution that reflects the needs of diverse families.

While many of us would welcome ways to meaningfully honor both Passover and Easter, in years when the holidays do not align, regional precedent shows that districts typically structure Spring Break around Passover. Breaking from this longstanding practice disrupts families’ expectations and creates avoidable challenges.

How the District Can Maintain the Required 180 Instructional Days

There are several practical, realistic adjustments that can be made while honoring Passover, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday, without exceeding or reducing the state-mandated 180 instructional days:

1. Adjust Superintendent Conference / Staff Development Days

Move one conference day later in the year

Convert one non-instructional day into a half-day

Combine two PD half-days into one full day

Districts across the state use these methods without limiting teacher training.

2. NYSED-Approved Emergency & Remote Day Flexibility

New York now allows districts to:

Convert unused snow/emergency days into instructional days

Use remote instruction days when appropriate

This ensures the calendar does not need unnecessary added days.

3. Slight Adjustments to the Start or End of the Year

Begin the school year one day earlier

Extend the school year by one day in June

Shift a conference day into June if the year ends early

A one-day shift can resolve all conflicts.

4. Converting Certain Shortened Days to Full Instructional Days

Examples:

Converting early dismissal days to full days

Reworking elementary parent-teacher conference schedules

These small changes add instructional minutes without adding new days.

A Request for Fairness, Inclusion, and Respect for All Traditions

Respecting major holidays—including Passover, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday—demonstrates that our school district values all of its families and honors its commitment to inclusivity. These observances have long been part of New York’s public school calendar traditions.

Our Request

We respectfully ask the Board to:

Re-align the 2026–2027 Spring Break to coincide with Passover, as most surrounding Long Island and New York City districts will.

Preserve days off for Holy Thursday and Good Friday, recognizing their importance to many Christian families.

Utilize reasonable calendar adjustments to remain fully compliant with New York State’s 180-day instructional requirement.

These changes would support Jewish families, Christian families, working families, multi-district families, teachers, and children throughout Kings Park.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and your commitment to building a school calendar that reflects fairness, inclusion, and the needs of all families in our community.

Respectfully,
 The Undersigned Members of the Kings Park Community