Lunar New Year Celebrations

Tuesday, February 17 marked the start of the Lunar New Year, and as we enter the Year of the Horse, Kent Denver students and families are celebrating this important cultural holiday.

During assembly on Thursday, February 19, middle schoolers in Kent Denver’s Chinese program shared the richness of Lunar New Year culture with their peers. From videos and skits to trivia and games, the entire middle school enjoyed learning about the Chinese Zodiac and Lunar New Year traditions. As a special gesture, each student and teacher received a red envelope containing a golden chocolate coin, symbolizing blessings and good fortune for the year ahead. The Upper School assembly celebrated the holiday the following week with a special game of Lunar New Year trivia between the four grade levels. 

The dining hall is also decked out in Lunar New Year decorations, which is where a full house of students and families joined the KDPA’s Heritage & Culture Alliance on Wednesday, February 18 for a hands-on dumpling-making demonstration. Led by our Chinese teachers, Ms. Chen and Ms. Lin, everyone got to try their hand at making meat or veggie dumplings, which they then took home to enjoy. Our Upper School Chinese language students also spent time educating the crowd about regional traditions across China—covering cuisine and family customs that vary across provinces.

The learning continued in the classroom, as students in Ms. Chen and Ms. Lin's classes participated in activities like writing Chinese calligraphy and spring couplets, as well as tasting some delicious longevity noodles!