Mayor Eric Adams announced that December 23rd will now also be a day off from school. Actually, this Monday would have been a regular school day this year; the approximately one million students in the city’s public school system would only have had a holiday from December 24th up to and including January 2nd.
In contrast, 12-year-old Isaac Regnier started an online petition that quickly found thousands of signatures. The plan “makes no sense,” wrote Regnier. “The attendance rate will be very low on the day. Children whose families have travel plans will have to change them or miss school. Children and teachers will be annoyed and the children will not learn anything.”
“Great idea, Isaac!”
The proposal found its way to Mayor Adams, who personally called the student and later presented the change to the holiday schedule at a press conference with him: December 23rd will be a day off school, with another school day added at the end of the school year. “Great idea, Isaac!” Adams wrote at X.
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**Interview with Isaac Regnier: Young Activist Behind Diwali School Holiday Changes**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Isaac! You recently launched a petition regarding the new school holiday schedule in New York City. Can you tell us what motivated you to start this petition?
**Isaac Regnier:** Thank you for having me! I started the petition because I felt that adding December 23rd as a school holiday didn’t make sense. Many families plan travel around the Christmas holidays, and having school that day disrupts those plans. Plus, attendance would likely be very low, meaning students wouldn’t get to learn effectively.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that your petition gained thousands of signatures quickly. What were some of the reactions you received from other students and parents?
**Isaac Regnier:** The support was amazing! Many friends and their parents reached out to me, saying they felt the same way. They appreciated that someone was speaking up about the impact of these changes on families. It showed me that a lot of people were affected by this decision, not just me.
**Interviewer:** After your petition gained attention, Mayor Eric Adams reached out to you personally. What was that conversation like?
**Isaac Regnier:** It was surreal! When he called me, I was really nervous, but he was super supportive. He listened to my concerns and acknowledged that my point made sense. It was encouraging to see a leader take a young person’s opinion seriously.
**Interviewer:** What do you think this change means for students who celebrate Diwali?
**Isaac Regnier:** I think it’s a huge step forward. Making Diwali an official school holiday recognizes the diversity in our city and allows children to celebrate their culture without worrying about missing school. This change is part of a broader movement towards inclusivity in our educational system.
**Interviewer:** Now that the holiday schedule has been revised, what are your thoughts on the outcome?
**Isaac Regnier:** I’m really happy! It shows that students can make a difference and that our voices matter. I hope this encourages more kids to speak up about issues they care about.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Isaac! It’s inspiring to see young voices like yours making an impact. We look forward to seeing what you do next.
**Isaac Regnier:** Thank you! I’m excited for the future and happy to be part of positive change.
