Celebrating the Lunar New Year
February 3, 2020
Hundreds of students at Walnut Elementary School in Walnut Valley USD performed choreographed songs, poems, and skits during a Lunar New Year celebration Jan. 24. The kindergarten through fifth grade children are part of the school’s Dual Language Immersion program that offers unique and innovative instruction in both English and Mandarin. Each grade level took a turn on stage to perform, with the program culminating in traditional dragon and lion dances. During the past nine years, the DLI program at Walnut Elementary has grown to over 350 students, and in 2017 expanded to South Pointe Middle School serving about 100 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Students participate in a 50-50 program, where half the day is spent learning in a Mandarin-speaking environment. The ultimate goal for the dual language immersion plan is to help develop bilingualism, biliteracy, and an enhanced awareness of cultural diversity.
Students at Walnut Elementary School in Walnut Valley USD celebrate the Lunar New Year on Jan. 24.
Students at Walnut Elementary School in Walnut Valley USD celebrate the Lunar New Year on Jan. 24.