Every Lunar New Year at The New Century School is special, but the Year of the Dragon was really “scaled” up! 
Firstly, 2024 marked the return of TNCS’s Visiting Chinese Scholars Program, which takes advantage of the 2 weeks each winter many Chinese families have off and can make the trip to the United States to immerse themselves in English language and culture. We miss “the girls” already!
Secondly, the Year of the Dragon is one of the most auspicious in the Chinese zodiac, dragons being, well, dragons! The dragon is the only mythical creature on the Chinese zodiac, that, coupled with the fact that dragons are unparalleled in majesty, strength, and all-around charisma, makes 2024 a year full of promise. TNCS Chinese teacher Jia Liu and her mentress Xia Laoshi made sure that TNCS celebrations befit the occasion. Drawing on what former TNCS Chinese instructors created in 2022 and 2023, Liu Laoshi and Xie Laoshi recreated an enchanting Chinese market/festival.
Preparations for the event that took place on February 6th began months earlier, as Liu Laoshi gathered supplies, vetted performers, and delegated tasks (like creating promotional materials and decorations—perfect projects for her students!).
The event itself had two main portions, a very well-attended live session, followed by shopping, eating, and playing games at the market/festival.
Live Performances
The live event was special not only for featuring performances in Mandarin by TNCS students, but Liu Laoshi managed to entice DC Beauty of Beijing Opera (dcbbo.org) to present the history of Chinese opera, sing, and interact with TNC students.
TNCs performances included “Invisible Wings” by grades 4 and 5, “Jasmine Flower” and “Congratulations” by Grades K through 3, and a traditional Chinese costume show by grades 6 to 8.
Market/Festival
Liu Laoshi gave TNCS middle schoolers the task of designing promotional posters for the market/festival, while TNCS 4th- and 5th-graders handled ticket creation. Just look at their impressive handiwork!
The market itself was equally impressive. It comprised three main areas: food, interactive games, and shopping.
Spring rolls, pan-fried dumplings, cookies, candied haws, cupcake with zodiac toppers, and milk tea were on sale (purchased with the tickets pictured above) at the food stalls to keep our festival-goers energized (and happy).
The interactive game area was conceptualized as a zone for parents and children to experience together, whether posing at a traditional Chinese-themed photo booth to capture memories; participating in lantern-making or paper-cutting workshops; immersing in Chinese culture with learning Chinese “Fu” character writing (calligraphy) or indulging in a tea ceremony; or having plain old fun playing bean bag toss, “pin the eye on the dragon,” or other creative Chinese-themed games.
At the arts and crafts area, handicrafts and traditional small items could be purchased with tickets.
It was the perfect way to ring in the Year of the Wood Dragon, a year that promises “opportunities, changes, and challenges,” like any good dragon would.
Xīnnián kuàilè (新年快乐), TNCS Community!
Did you know that TNCS is partway through its second full turn of the Chinese zodiac? TNCS launched in the Year of the Tiger, 2010. Since then, TNCS has marked many a Lunar New year in a variety of ways!
- Year of the Rabbit, 2023
- Year of the Tiger, 2022
- Year of the Ox, 2021
- Year of the Rat, 2020
- Year of the Pig, 2019
- Year of the Dog, 20218
- Year of the Rooster, 2017
- Year of the Monkey, 2016
- Year of the Goat (or Sheep), 2015
- Year of the Horse, 2014
- Year of the Snake, 2013
Immersed had not yet met the world for the Lunar New Year of 2012, but you can be sure that Year of the Dragon was one to behold.
