Bernards Township School District to add Lunar New Year to school calendar, board members say

The Bernards Township School District board signaled that Lunar New Year will be added to district calendars, with the policy committee’s first-reading language instructing recognition of the holiday when it falls on a weekday.

Community members urged the board to formalize the change during public comment. Wenjun Ajao of Basking Ridge said the recognition "sends a clear and a public message that our town embraces cultural diversity and values every family who calls this community home," and argued an official holiday reduces attendance conflicts when families observe the celebration. Student Evelyn Zhu, who helped lead the effort, thanked the board and community for supporting the change.

The policy committee reported it analyzed where Lunar New Year falls across the next 10 years and proposed revisions to the district calendar language; committee members said the revision does not add snow days but will provide flexibility at the end of the year if needed. Committee reporting noted the Lunar New Year will be observed as an off day when it occurs on a weekday under the revised policy language.

Board discussion noted differing views about listing holidays on calendars in years when a holiday falls on a weekend. One board member said past discussion showed "mixed opinion" that printing recognition for weekends could confuse families about whether school would be closed. The board chair also noted a prior internal vote reflected support for adding Lunar New Year to future calendars.

The item is proceeding through the board’s policy process: the first-reading language is on the agenda and revised calendars are expected to be available for board approval during the spring meeting cycle. The board closed public comment and adjourned that evening.