February 10 marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year and families in China, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, and many more prepare for an auspicious year. Families clean the house, feast, hang lanterns, and wear red, to name a few of the customs they observe.  

 

In past years, Grand View students and families saw the colorful lions and heard the loud drums to celebrate a significant tradition for many Asian communities that is meant to bring good luck in the coming year. 

 

The lunar calendar is based on cycles of the moon.  Festivities start on the first new moon of the year and ends with the full moon,15 days later.  Each Asian country has their own special name for the Lunar New Year (such as Spring Festival, Seollal, Tet, Shogatsu, and Losar) and each have their own tales, zodiac, and traditions. However, most Asian cultures celebrate Lunar New Year by focusing on reuniting with family, remembering ancestors, and welcoming luck, happiness, and good health into the new year. 

 

In the Chinese zodiac, everyone is assigned an animal according to their birth year.  This year is the Year of the Dragon (1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024).  The Dragon symbolizes strength, health and good luck.  People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be charismatic leaders, and show tremendous intelligence and confidence.

 

Head to the Grand View library to learn more about Lunar New Year by observing the Lunar New Year Family Traditions and the Auspicious Dragon Lego sets, reviewing books related to Lunar New Year and AAPI culture or written by AAPI authors, and admiring the beautifully decorated bulletin board outside of the library.

 

This year, students will receive red envelopes for prosperity, luck and to ward off evil spirits.  We plan to share more of the Asian culture during the month of May, Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) heritage month. Gōngxǐ fācái! Chúc mừng năm mới! Saehae Bok Mani Badeuseyo! Wishing you success, good health and happiness in 2024.

   

Thank you to the PTA, MBEF (Social Inclusion Grant), Teach AAPI (teachaapi.org), and parent volunteers, for all the activities, planning, books, and resources focused on AAPI. Let's continue to help our kids and the Grand View community celebrate and honor AAPI heritage.