Thanks to the UFT’s advocacy, the Department of Education is extending next school year’s winter break to include Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. All students and staff will now report back on Monday, Jan. 5.
Under the previous version of the 2025-26 school calendar, schools were going to be closed from Wednesday, Dec. 24, through Thursday, Jan. 1, with students returning for only one day of classes before the weekend.
The change echoes the DOE’s decision last fall, after union and student pushback, to add Dec. 23 to the 2024–25 winter break so school was not open for only one day before the winter break began.
The addition of Jan. 2 to the winter recess next school year means New York City public schools will be at the state’s required minimum of 180 school days.