Showcasing the diversity of the Sunnyvale community, the volunteer run event features traditional performances and family friendly activities
SUNNYVALE, CA — February 2, 2024 — Cherry Chase Elementary School will host its eighth annual schoolwide Lunar New Year Celebration from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on February 2. Performances include a Dragon Dance, a choral recital, a traditional fashion show, multiple traditional dances and an exhibition of traditional instruments.
First established in 2016, the Lunar New Year Celebration is a PTA (Parent Teacher Association) event with musical and artistic performances by students and volunteers and a chance for the entire family to sample traditional foods, play traditional games and make traditional crafts. The event is run completely by parent volunteers and features over 120 students from all grade levels. Last year more than 1,200 attended the event virtually and in-person. This year similar numbers are expected to attend the family-friendly celebration to usher in the Lunar New Year.
The Lunar New Year Celebration showcases the cultural diversity of the Cherry Chase community and focuses on the Lunar New Year festival, also called Chun-jie in Chinese, Tet in Vietnamese and Solnal in Korean, a holiday that is the observance of the start of a new year in the lunar calendar and has been celebrated in many Asian countries over the last 3,000 years. 2024 will be the Year of the Dragon, a mythical animal that symbolizes power, nobility, honor, good luck and success.
“The event creates awareness about our diversity and opens a window to see other cultures. It allows our children to see that we come from different backgrounds but we all share the same family, community, and core values,” said Gloria Marchant, principal of Cherry Chase Elementary School.
“It fills me with immense joy as I see the excitement of my children, Ayaan & Viaan, as they participate in the vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations,” said Sandeep Garg, a Cherry Chase parent. “To me, this marks a significant occasion for both of them to learn more about the interconnected shared traditions & values that bring our society together cultivating a culture of unity, happiness, and prosperity for all. Ayaan & Viaan always enjoy spending time with their school friends whether it is during school time or after school program, and this is another opportunity for them to enjoy together.”
“I am very excited for the Lunar New Year Celebration because it is a time when I can share my culture with other people,” said Violet Zhang, fourth grader from Cherry Chase Elementary School. “This year I am going to perform the dragon dance and host part of the show, and I have worked really hard to perfect my skills for the dance. I hope everyone likes this year’s festival.”
“I have actively participated in the Cherry Chase Lunar New Year performance for almost every year during my time at Cherry Chase,” said Grace Yue, who graduated from Cherry Chase in 2023. “Now I am a middle schooler, and I am thrilled to continue contributing to this community event. I took on the task of designing the 2024 Lunar New Year celebration logo incorporating this year’s dragon element, and donated my crochet bees to help fundraising for the event. I take great pride in sharing my skills and joining people from diverse cultures to celebrate this special occasion."
Additional information about the Lunar New Year Celebration at Cherry Chase Elementary School can be found on the event homepage.
About Cherry Chase Elementary School and the Sunnyvale School District
Cherry Chase Elementary School is one of 10 schools in the Sunnyvale School District. The District’s mission is to provide every student with a strong foundation of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional skills to prepare them for success in a diverse, challenging and changing world. Thus, every school in the District provides a safe environment and rich opportunities for children to thrive. The district is guided by its Strategic Plan based on its core belief in students, outstanding teachers and administrators, collaborative planning, fiscal responsibility, and dedication to providing personalized instruction that meet individual students’ needs. The Sunnyvale School District operates a comprehensive preschool program, eight elementary schools and two middle schools in the heart of the Santa Clara Valley. www.sesd.org
2024 banner logo designed by Grace Yue, a 6th grader graduated from Cherry Chase
Photo by Rocco Tam
Students interviewing the principal and assistant principal after their participation in the fashion show during the 2023 Lunar New Year Celebration.
Photo by Rocco Tam
The 6-year-old youngest host Anders Yue interviewing performers with other hosts during the 2023 Lunar New Year Celebration.
Photo by Rocco Tam
Performance from a local Chinese afterschool during the 2023 Lunar New Year Celebration.
