New York schoolchildren will have a new day off

Mayor Eric Adams and principal David Banks said on October 20 that they are working with the state to add the religious holiday of Diwali to the calendar for all public school students. And at the same time - to fulfill the legal requirement that training last at least 180 days, according to New York Post.

Diwali will replace Brooklyn and Queens Day next school year under legislation introduced by State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar.

“It is high time to tell our Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist students that we see you, we recognize you,” Adams said at a press conference.

Rajkumar was very pleased with this statement.

“On the streets, they really call him the Hindu mayor. He does it all — a plant-based diet, meditation,” she joked.

The move made it possible to fulfill the campaign promise and declare Diwali a holiday, which was first reported by the city. Lawyers last week expressed their disappointment in a news outlet that for another year they will have to choose between school and work or celebrating a holiday.

On the subject: New York schools canceled 'snow days': children will have to study in any weather

Education officials pointed to the requirement for 180 school days as delaying the change.

“People were saying there was simply not enough room in the New York calendar for the Diwali school holidays,” Rajkumar said. “Well, my legislation makes room.”

This will eliminate Anniversary Day, better known as Brooklyn and Queens Day, from the school calendar. Anniversary Day is celebrated on the first Thursday of June and has existed since 1829. Schools have been celebrating this holiday since the mid-1900s.

Over 200 New Yorkers will celebrate Diwali on October 000 this year

“This is important not only for young people who celebrate Diwali, but for all students,” said Banks. “People from all over the world live here and they all go to school here. And it is important that we honor and recognize all of our young people.”

This announcement joins other changes to the school calendar in recent years, including the postponement of "snow days".

Other holidays added to the school calendar under former mayor Bill de Blasio include the Lunar New Year and the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.