NYC Completely Cuts Spring Break For Public Schools

NEW YORK CITY — New York City's public schools will have no spring break next week after Chancellor Richard Carranza cancelled two days of observance for religious holidays.

The seven-day spring break — which Gov. Andrew Cuomo cut down to April 9 and 10 last week — was axed completely for 150,000 Department of Education staff and 1.1 million students, according to the chancellor.

"Schools must continue to offer remote learning, including on days previously scheduled as breaks," Carranza tweeted Friday night.

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"We know many New Yorkers plan to observe religious holidays," Carranza added. "Any students & school staff who wish to observe those holidays may do so. However, they will not be considered 'days off.'"

Carranza later added the Department of Education would provide four additional leave days to school-based staff who otherwise would have had Spring Recess.

United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew came out against the move and told members of the city's teachers' union he would request extra compensation from Mayor Bill de Blasio, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“I told him flat out that I disagreed with the decision," Mulgrew reportedly said. "But the city is going ahead with it anyway."

Read More: 'Hell Week': NYC Students Battle Wi-Fi As Learning Goes Online

Teachers who take the two days — which would have observed Passover and Good Friday — must use accrued leave, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Teachers — who received news of another setback when use of video conferencing platforms Zoom and Google Classroom was banned — took to social media to share concern.

"I love my job and my students, and I will do almost anything for them but enough is enough," wrote teacher Frankie David. " I am overworked and exhausted."

"These are the holiest days of the year," tweeted first grade teacher Pamela Thompson. "In times like this we need God even more."

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