Public schools across New York State will close Wednesday to mark Asian Lunar New Year, officially recognized as a school holiday for the first time.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed the legislation in September 2023, highlighting the holiday as a celebration of the state’s growing diversity and the contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie noted that the holiday allows Asian students to celebrate with their families without compromising their education.
"New York State is beautifully diverse, with people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds living, working and raising families together. The Lunar New Year holiday will give thousands of Asian students in our state the ability to gather together and celebrate with family and friends without having to sacrificing their education."Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie
The move sets an example nationally and internationally, promoting cultural understanding and acceptance.
