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Students, parents and community press board to add Lunar New Year to school calendar; board members say committee process will be prioritized next year
Summary
Dozens of students, parents, teachers and community members urged the Moorestown board to add Lunar New Year to the district calendar. Speakers described personal and cultural harms from exclusion; board members defended the calendar committee process and several said the issue would be a priority for the next calendar cycle.
Dozens of students, parents, teachers and community members urged the Moorestown Township Public School District board to recognize Lunar New Year as an observed school holiday, saying the omission marginalizes Asian families and forces students to choose between school obligations and family observance.
The public-comments period featured multiple student speakers, parents and local organizers who said the district already recognizes other religious and cultural observances and should extend the same accommodation to Lunar New Year. Student speakers described family traditions and the difficulty of missing school for important religious and cultural observances. One student, Tyler Lehi, said: "I want my friends to appreciate and respect my culture, my holiday, and my traditions, just like Diwali, Eid, and Jewish holidays are recognized." Community speaker Sydney Jo said, "We are not asking for special treatment. We are only asking for fair treatment."
Process, committee and board response Board members and administration representatives explained the calendar is produced by a standing calendar committee composed of district and building representatives, and some board members said the calendar work is complex and involves many constraints. In response to the public comments the board and administration acknowledged concerns and several board members pledged to prioritize consideration of Lunar New Year in the next calendar cycle. One board member told the audience the matter "should be a priority for next year" if it cannot be resolved for the coming school year.
What the board did and did not do No formal calendar change was made at the meeting. Members of the public asked the board to revisit the 2025–26 calendar; board members repeated that the calendar committee process exists and said they would give the request priority for the next calendar cycle and provide public updates. The administration posted a district referendum page and other materials online; the board said it will post updates to the calendar process and consider community input.
Community reaction and next steps Speakers included parents, current students and alumni; community-led events and cultural programming in town and school extracurricular clubs were cited in public comment as evidence of community capacity and interest. Several speakers presented comparative data showing other high‑rated districts in New Jersey have recognized Lunar New Year on their calendars. Multiple board and community members said they would continue to engage through the calendar committee and public sessions.
Provenance "topicintro": first public-comment invitation for agenda items (transcript block at 3069.0518: "We are now to our first public comment section... relate to items on the agenda...")
"topfinish": board closing remarks and commitment to consider the request in future calendar cycles (transcript block at 8847.359: "...I hear you. I understand... I am sure that your comments will be considered every year that the calendar is developed.")
Ending The board made no immediate calendar change. Administrators said they will continue to communicate through the calendar committee, post updates and consider Lunar New Year for future calendars; community members said they will continue to press the district for action.
