Every year, thousands of students anticipate the winter break, a time of rest and relaxation away from the rigors of the educational environment. However, for the 2025-2026 academic year, the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) has made a peculiar decision to begin the winter break on Wednesday. This means that Monday and Tuesday remain regular school days, leading to undue stress and difficulty for students and parents alike. I, as a concerned NYCDOE student, feel that this is incredibly unfair. Many of us perceive these additional two days not as constructive, engaging learning days, but as time spent marking hours, whilst our minds are inevitably drawn towards the impending holidays.

Major countries around the world, including Canada, France, and the UK, begin their winter break from the Monday of the last full week in December (source: world education statistics). This policy recognizes that the stance towards learning shifts in the run-up to holidays, and provides students a break that is more in tune with their needs and expectations.

Let's urge the NYCDOE to revise the 2025-2026 school year's winter break schedule, and include the Monday and Tuesday as days off—it’s not just about a vacation, but the acknowledgement of both the students' need for a complete break and the improved effectiveness of our learning process. Please sign this petition to advance fairness, common sense, and enhance the quality of education.