A delayed opening means school starts at 9:45 a.m. An emergency early dismissal is at 1:00 p.m. The district posts closings on its website, social media and local TV. Early dismissals (1:00 p.m. students, 1:20 p.m. staff) are listed on Oct 16, Nov 25, Dec 23, Feb 12 and Mar 25, plus a few more.

School is closed Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, and kids go back Monday, November 30. The part families forget is Wednesday the 25th, when students leave at 1:00 p.m. and staff at 1:20. November is already choppy: Election Day on the 3rd, the NJEA Convention on the 5th and 6th, and Veterans Day on the 11th are all closed. Plan childcare early, especially if you work Wednesday afternoon. The first marking period ends on the 13th.

Winter recess is December 24 to 31, and students return Monday, January 4, after New Year’s Day. The break really starts Wednesday the 23rd, when students are dismissed at 1:00 p.m. Because Jan 1 is also a closure, it adds up to 11 days in a row. There’s also a short winter break February 15 and 16, right after a 1:00 p.m. dismissal on Friday the 12th. That makes a four-day weekend, which is handy for a quick trip.

Spring break is March 29 to April 2, with students back Monday, April 5. Good Friday (March 26) is also a closure, and Thursday the 25th is a 1:00 p.m. dismissal, so families get about eleven days in a row. Easter is March 28. Earlier in the month, Eid al-Fitr (observed March 10) is a day off. If you’re flying out, book early, since the break lines up with a lot of other schools in the area.

Paterson has no fall break. October’s only day off is Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday the 12th, and Yom Kippur on September 21 closes school just before it. Italian Heritage Day (October 9) is on the calendar but isn’t a day off. Friday, October 16 is a 1:00 p.m. dismissal for staff PD, and progress reports go out October 19. Outdoor plans are easiest on the long weekend.

The last day for students is Wednesday, June 23, 2027, and staff finish June 24 from 9 a.m. to noon, but only if there are no emergency closures. The calendar lists four make-up days after that, so hold off on non-refundable trips until June 29. Juneteenth (June 18) is a closure, and Memorial Day is May 31. Sign up for camps or summer programs early, because spots fill fast.

Monday, January 18, 2027 is a district closure, so kids get a three-day weekend. The second marking period ends on January 29, so it’s a good moment to check homework and grades. If you want something free, the Great Falls is worth a visit, or you can check the local library for MLK Day programs.