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Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed a bill that will declare the Asian Lunar New Year as a public school holiday in the state.
The bill passed during the last days of the legislative session in June.
The bill was sponsored by Assemblyman William Coltin and state Sen. Brian Kavanagh. It requires public schools to close on the first day of the second lunar month after the winter solstice. Schools have already set and released their school calendars for the 2023-24 school year.
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, D-Queens, has sponsored legislation to make the Lunar New York and Diwali federal holidays.
“By designating Lunar New Year as an official school holiday, we are taking an important step in recognizing the importance of New York’s AAPI community and the rich diversity that makes New York so great,” Hochul said in a statement. “It is not just a day off from school — it is an opportunity for our children to learn about and celebrate their own or different cultures and traditions.”
The holiday will not impact driver education classes that may occur on a Saturday. Coltin said making the Asian Lunar New York a state school holiday will promote a strong message of hope for all groups.
“Asian Americans have played a vital role in shaping our state and nation while continuously struggling to overcome many obstacles of discrimination and hardship,” Coltin said.
Kavanagh said many Asian students previously had to choose between attending school and celebrating their community’s most significant holiday.
“New York’s story could not have been written without the many and varied contributions of Asian New Yorkers,” the Democrat said. “And many other New Yorkers are denied the opportunity to celebrate the diverse heritage of our state. So I am very proud that as of today we officially recognize Lunar New Year as a school holiday.”
