Celebrating Lunar New Year

This month, French International celebrated the Lunar New Year with the sights, sounds, and traditions. Through stories, crafts, performances, and shared meals, students across all divisions explored the history and cultural significance of this holiday. This experience deepened their understanding of the world and the communities that celebrate it.

Parents and community members brought their culture into the classroom. In Emilie’s preschool class, volunteers read two Lunar New Year books, led crafts, and introduced students to the symbolism of red and gold, which represent luck and prosperity. In Camille’s first-grade class, students created lanterns and learned Mandarin words connected to the celebration. Nathalie's class read "The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac," discovering how the twelve zodiac animals were chosen. Students even practiced naming the animals in Mandarin. In Pauline's class, a parent shared stories about the Lunar New Year, and then students crafted their own lanterns. Fourth graders spent an afternoon celebrating the new year with activities organized by a group of parents. They practiced calligraphy, played games, tasted dumplings, and got their own red envelopes.

In Middle School, seventh graders in beginning Mandarin made dumplings together, combining language study with holiday traditions. All seventh graders are learning about cultural celebrations in their beginning language classes. All middle school students also gathered for a Lunar New Year assembly that featured songs, a face-changing dance performance, a story about red envelopes, and instruction in Mandarin holiday phrases.

School-wide, we welcomed a pop-up performance by The White Lotus Foundation's lion-dancing team. They brought music, movement, and tradition to our campus, offering everyone a glimpse into one of the most recognizable Lunar New Year customs.

Lunar New Year is celebrated in many countries around the world and has been observed for more than 3,000 years. Traditions include gathering with family, honoring ancestors, sharing meals, giving red envelopes for good fortune, and welcoming the new year with symbols of prosperity and renewal. Each year is also associated with one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, and this year is the Year of the Horse.

Experiences like these reflect the heart of a French International education. As a school dedicated to developing global citizens, we believe that understanding and celebrating cultures from around the world is essential. By learning the stories, symbols, and traditions that shape communities beyond their own, students develop empathy, curiosity, and respect. Our Lunar New Year celebrations not only brought a festive atmosphere to campus but also aligned with our mission of preparing students to thrive in a diverse and interconnected global community.