Welcome The Year of the Rat! On Monday, January 27, all Lamplighter students participated in a school-wide celebration of Lunar New Year, coordinated by the Lamplighter Parents’ Association’s Cultural Awareness Committee. Students took part in a variety of activities including calligraphy, origami, dumpling-making, a happy Lion Dance, and presentations to learn the culture and history of this celebration.

Lunar New Year, also called the “Spring Festival,” is celebrated in China, India, Nepal, South Korea, Vietnam, as well as other countries throughout Asia. The event is filled with annual traditions and involves 15 days of preparation with 7 days of celebration. Preparations involve cleaning to remove bad luck, decorating, and purchasing gifts. Celebratory items include fire crackers, drums, red envelopes, and red clothing, with notable activities such as the lion dance and lantern festivals. The beginning of 2020 marks The Year of the Rat in the Chinese Zodiac. Children born in this year are said to be resourceful, ambitious, and talented problem-solvers.

The hands-on activities throughout the School helped Lamplighter students experience the many traditions and celebrations associated with Lunar New Year. Faculty and Staff were treated to a special Lunar New Year lunch and all students received fortune cookies during their grade level festivities. A special thank you to LPA Cultural Awareness Co-Chairs Susmita Chavala or Lisa Alexander and all the parent volunteers for helping to make this event a success!