Ridge Ranch students celebrate the Lunar New Year
By Mel Fabrikant Sunday, March 04, 2007, 05:00 PM EST
Lunar New Year at Ridge Ranch School
ESL teacher Mrs. Debra Hodge prepared her students for a Lunar New Year celebration held on Friday, February 16th and presented it to the school and the proud parents. Principal Jeanine Nostrame had the classes file in one by one and seat themselves on the gymnasium floor. To keep their interest while preparations were being made, Nostrame and the teachers interacted with their young charges.
The young participants filed in from the rear of the gym and wended their costumed figures through the classes and onto the stage. Ranging from group particpations to individual and team offerings, these young students gave versions of what the Lunar New Year is about.
Mrs. Hodge explained to the students and parents that the Lunar New Year is composed of 12 animals for a 12 year cycle in contrast to the year celebrations observed in the United States. The youngsters on stage responded in many Asian languages to say "Happy New Year!"
A special treat was the playing of the Gu-zheng, a Chinese zither and then a Lotus Dance in costume by sisters Cassy and Christy Stone.
