SC Students Celebrate the Lunar New Year
The Year of the Dragon

Sea Cliff students under the leadership of Mandarin teacher, David Schultz,   celebrated the Lunar New Year by singing, playing music, and joining in a parade to signify the beginning of this joyous occasion. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon representing an especially lucky year to be born. People born in this year are believed to be ambitious, confident, and charismatic.

It is believed that “a good start to the New Year will lead to a lucky year.” Often red envelopes are passed to children or relatives containing gifts and money. The Chinese New Year festival is many centuries old and is celebrated in many countries and territories around the world including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In North Shore Elementary Schools, Mandarin begins early. Younger students begin singing in Mandarin and learning the characters. As they progress, they learn more about the language, China’s geography and history, and the symbolism of the Chinese New Year by researching many facts about China. 

During the festival, the students paraded outside in the playground as well as up and down the aisles of the school to the delight of their peers. They also went into classrooms dressed as a dragon and lion and played instruments welcoming in the Lunar New Year. Thank you to Mr. Schulz and the Mandarin students for this joyous celebration!

Article and photos by Shelly Newman