Across Bergen County, students look forward to an extra day to themselves, as most schools will be closed on December 23, the Monday between the weekend and the traditional start of Holiday Break. However, this is not the case for the Northern Valley District, as its schools will be open with an early dismissal for students and staff. Students have spoken out against this decision.
Sophomore Silvia Earle says, “The fact we have a half-day right between a weekend and a break is so incomprehensibly stupid and pointless. Many that I’ve talked to say they’re not going to go, and I’m sure many others already have vacation plans.”
Senior Luke Brajkovic started a petition to close the school on the 23rd due to these complaints. Students encouraged people to sign the petition in school and through social media posts in hopes of making this change. The petition and its concerns for the half-day could be discussed at the Board of Education’s monthly meeting on Monday, December 16.
(Hayden Lee)
Other students expressed increasing concern about the petition’s success. Sophomore Gyubeen Noh said, “The problem is that the half-day would then be added to the last day of school. I don’t want that; I don’t think anyone wants that. I would rather have an additional short day right before winter break than wait longer for summer.”
Those concerns, however, may not be warranted. The state of New Jersey requires a school year to be 180 days long to be official, and Northern Valley schools are in session for 185 days total– thus exceeding the requirement.
Students hoping to have their voices heard can attend the Board of Education meeting tonight. However, more than just a day off, students believe that acts like this petition can strengthen the NVOT community. Earle says, “Students don’t tend to feel like their voices are listened to, and even with discussions around this petition, one of the biggest reasons people doubt it’ll happen is that students’ voices don’t have an impact. This would absolutely be a step towards increasing student voice and representation within the community, as it would prove that if students speak up, they can actually have an impact.”