Classes have wrapped up for kids across the province as the Christmas break begins.

The President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association is thanking teachers for the work they’ve put in so far this school year.

Trent Langdon says this school year was not business as usual. He says schools are still struggling with issues such as recruitment and retention, class size and composition, and mental health supports.

Langdon says this can be a stressful time for families, and for some children this will be the only holiday celebrations they will have. He commends teachers for their extra efforts this time of year. He hopes everyone has a safe and happy holiday, and returns about 6,500 members.