The Chinese New Year was the focus of the most recent gathering for DCD’s Culture Club. Students from grades one to five came together for a fun afternoon of activities centered around the Chinese New Year, which will be celebrated around the world this year on January 29th. Students learned that the timing of this important Chinese holiday is based on the Lunar calendar, which means the date can vary from year to year. 

Before diving into some engaging crafts indicative of the day, students talked about special holiday traditions and how each year a particular animal serves as the centerpiece for the celebration—there are twelve Chinese Zodiac animals. Ms. Ivy Alphonse-Crean, DCD’s Director of DEI, shared a special presentation and encouraged everyone to identify their birth year and the animal associated with it. Students enjoyed exploring the traits symbolized by these animals, and were intrigued to learn that this year marks the Year of the Snake, representing wisdom, transformation, and adaptability!

Students practiced their chopstick skills, made some crazy paper chain snakes, and created special Couplets with greetings and good wishes to hang on their doors. At the close of the afternoon’s activities, students had some special mementos to take home and share with their families. Culture Club is an after school affinity group for lower school students of color in grades one through five. The groups mission is to create a comfortable place where children can feel free to talk about their experiences, nurture self-esteem, appreciate differences, and celebrate similarities.