Chatterton Celebrates Lunar New Year with Cultural Assembly
Chatterton students recently welcomed the Lunar New Year with an engaging and educational assembly organized by dedicated parent volunteers.
The celebration introduced students to the meaning and traditions of Lunar New Year, a holiday observed in many Asian cultures that marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and symbolizes renewal, family, prosperity, and good fortune.
Throughout the program, students learned about the customs, symbols, and values associated with the holiday.
“The event aligned closely with our kindergarten social studies curriculum, which focuses on understanding diverse traditions and how cultural celebrations help build a shared community identity,” noted teacher Dr. Cinnamon Green. “This collaborative effort among our kindergarten and third grade teams, alongside our families, created an engaging and inclusive learning experience that celebrated diversity, respect, and unity within our school.”
A highlight of the assembly was an energetic and colorful lion dance performance by students from Townsend Harris High School in Queens.
The performers dazzled the audience with rhythmic drumming and traditional choreography, bringing the symbolic lions to life. Following the performance, students had the opportunity to take photos with the lions, creating lasting memories and deepening their appreciation for the cultural tradition.
To further mark the occasion, students received red envelopes, a cherished Lunar New Year custom symbolizing prosperity, good luck, and positive wishes for the year ahead.
“This experience extended beyond a classroom read-aloud and provided students with a meaningful opportunity to learn about cultural traditions through the lion dance, red envelopes, and presentations on symbolism and customs,” added Dr. Green.
The district extends its gratitude to the Hom and Lin families for generously sharing their culture, traditions, and time to make this meaningful experience possible for our students. Special thanks to kindergarten teachers, Dr. Green, Ms. Kalos, Mrs. O’Donnell, and Ms. Russo, as well as the third-grade teachers, Mrs. Burke and Mrs. Signorile.
“Their efforts helped foster cultural understanding, inclusivity, and celebration within our school community,” added Principal Dana Bermas.
