Beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, the Lunar New Year will be an observed holiday on which all students and staff at Newton Public Schools have a day off. 

“This decision is long overdue,” said Ming Lu, a Chinese teacher at North. “The Chinese New Year is a very special time for those who celebrate. We call our families and give our good wishes.” 

The decision was made by the Calendar Working Group of the Newton School Committee after conducting multiple surveys about religious affiliation and desire for a full day off on the Lunar New Year for students, staff, and families of Newton Public Schools.

Later, the Calendar Working Group compared responses to surveys regarding holidays that are already observed by NPS to the responses from the Lunar New Year surveys, and made the decision to observe the Lunar New Year as a holiday

“The data gathered by the Calendar Working Group makes it clear that closing school on this day is in line with other days on which we close,” said Vice Principal Amy Winston.

Multiple teachers and students who celebrate the Lunar New Year and have family in other countries expressed how important this day off will be to them, as it gives them more time to talk to their loved ones and participate in traditional celebrations, according to Lu.

“It’ll be very impactful for families who celebrate the holiday to have the day off,” said sophomore Kristin Kim. “This holiday is important to a lot of students, and going to school takes away from the time we would otherwise spend celebrating with our loved ones.”