In case you missed our video over on Instagram, it was announced last week that winter break now begins on December 23. As you may remember, earlier this year we introduced you to 13-year-old Isaac Regnier, who started a petition asking that schools take December 23 off the calendar because it didn’t make sense to have a one-day school week. After 22,000 signatures, Isaac received a phone call from Mayor Eric Adams letting him know that it was official: schools are now closed on December 23.
In the petition, Isaac highlighted that the one-day school week did not make sense and that attendance would be very low that day.
“Kids whose families have travel plans will have to change their plans or be marked absent. Kids and teachers will feel annoyed, and kids won’t get to learn anything or have a party with all of their friends (because of the low attendance).”
When we asked him what he planned to do if NYC Schools did not make the change, Isaac told us that it was a hard question because he doesn’t like to be absent. “I was only absent three times this year. Also I got perfect attendance for November, December, January, February, March, and April. But since right now it looks like there’s a one-day week of school I probably will miss school on Monday.”
Luckily, Isaac now doesn’t have to worry about an absence on December 23. During a press conference with the mayor, Isaac exclaimed, “I’m so proud of myself for advocating. All that hard work I did!”
His principal at IS 96 in Bensonhurst was not at all surprised by his accomplishment, saying that Isaac has “an amazing brain for calendars and numbers.”
Not only did he make a lot of people happy, he also set a great example about how collective action can bring change and our voice does matter. When we asked him back in May what advice he’d give to other students who want to make a change he told us, “try to give a good explanation of your cause and try to get help from other people.”
Winter break begins on Monday Dec. 23, and students return on Thursday, Jan. 2. See the full calendar here.
Read more of our educational coverage here.
