Winter break is right around the corner, bringing a highly anticipated respite from homework, exams, and difficult winter mornings. During this period of relaxation, many EHS students have the rare opportunity to travel with their families, recharge at home, and reengage in social activities.
This year, winter break lasts twelve consecutive days—from December 24 to January 4—making it one of the longest EHS has had in a while. This extended break, coupled with the district’s mandated No Homework distinction, offers students time to truly step away from school and focus on their personal lives, resulting in a variety of unique holiday plans.
For many EHS students, the extended break means loading up the car or hopping on a plane to explore warmer climates or visit family scattered across the world. The desire to trade New Jersey’s cold winter for sunnier skies seems to be a popular choice among students.
“Over winter break, my family and I are planning to travel to Florida for vacation,” said Atharva Sonawane ‘28. “We are also planning to visit Virginia to meet a friend sometime later.”
Other students are headed for more exotic destinations to enjoy a much milder winter.
“I’m going to Hawaii this winter break to go see the Maui islands and the beaches as well, with my family,” said Nitin Gautham ‘27.
Beyond seeking warmth, many students plan to use their time off to reconnect with loved ones they rarely see and just settle in to a possible staycation.
“I’m looking forward to staying at home and taking a break from school. I’ll probably be out with my friends most of winter break,” said Mahasvin Kota ‘29.
For many students, the downtime during winter break allows them to catch up on their social life, which can be difficult to balance with the demands of school. Winter break also turns Edison into a travel hub, but many EHS students find that the best holiday experiences are actually much closer to home.
“My family plans to visit Ohio earlier in the break and Virginia for New Year’s/Christmas,” Aven Kunal ‘29 said. “We plan to meet with relatives as well, and I am looking forward to an eventful vacation.”
Edison students’ travel plans often include a mix of holidays and family time, ranging from large Christmas dinners to shared New Year’s celebrations to simple quality moments that allow students to reconnect with their relatives. While some students are hitting the road, others are staying put as relatives arrive for the holidays.
“My cousins are coming over for winter break. We’re planning to visit New York City and will probably spend the majority of our time there,” said Tejas Rama ‘26.
Whether it be flying to the beaches of Florida, catching up with family across the world, or simply enjoying the freedom of sleeping in, EHS students are ready to make the most of their extended holiday period. Regardless of what you choose to do, winter break serves as a long-deserved pause before schoolwork intensifies and the second marking period continues.
