Local News

Strike causes Newton schools to cancel February break; additional days must be made up

February break, or Winter Recess, is Feb. 19 through Feb. 23.

School Committee president Chris Brezski spoke to reporters at a press conference held inside the Newton Public Schools Administration Building while outside Newton educators rallied as the Newton teachers strike stretched into its tenth day. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

By Molly Farrar

February 1, 2024

1 minute to read

Newton is nixing four days of February break this year as the teachers’ strike continues into its 11th day, officials decided at a special School Committee meeting Thursday.

School Committee members discussed how to make up 13 days – 11 so far from the strike, one contractually needed for teachers after the last day, and one to make up for a staff emergency at Franklin Elementary School.

February break, or Winter Recess, is Feb. 19 through Feb. 23, the members said. April break, or Spring Recess, is April 15 through April 19. The Mondays of both vacation weeks — Presidents’ Day and Patriots Day — cannot be used, they said.

With school canceled for Friday, the committee will need to reschedule all 13 days before June 30.

Superintendent Anna Nolin, who started her tenure last summer, told the committee and about 500 people attending the Zoom call that federal holidays and half-days cannot be used as make-up school days.

“You have an impossible choice before you,” Nolin said.

The School Committee discussed cutting down February break and April break, scheduling school on Good Friday, adding school days in June, and scheduling classes on weekends.

“We’re not at the point where one single one of those options is going to be sufficient,” member Rajeev Parlikar said. “If we don’t have school during February break and the strike goes longer … we are suddenly going to be left with no option other than Saturdays and Sundays, and I don’t think anyone wants that either.”

Some members suggested taking days from each break, but not eliminating a break all together.

The School Committee said the last day of the school year hasn’t been determined, and that the date is usually set by the end of April.