We welcomed the Lunar New Year with a multi-day Tet Celebration that brought students, staff, and families together to honor Vietnamese culture and traditions. Held across our campus and across a couple of days, the celebration was an opportunity to connect learning with cultural appreciation and community partnership.
The festivities began with rehearsals that highlighted the strong collaboration between students, teachers, assistants, and external partners. On the main celebration day, the campus came alive with traditional Tet performances, showcasing student talent through music, dance, and cultural presentations. These performances were followed later in the week by a dynamic dragon dance and mask-changing show with secondary, which captivated students across grade levels and deepened their understanding of Lunar New Year traditions.
Throughout the day, elementary students rotated through carefully planned activities by our local staff. In the gym, students participated in bamboo dancing, learning both the rhythm and teamwork required for this traditional activity. In the conference room and main hall, students explored Tet food experiences, gaining insight into the customs and symbolism behind traditional New Year dishes. A special highlight was the Tò He experience, where a local artisan demonstrated the craft of making traditional Vietnamese dough figurines, allowing students to observe this unique cultural art form up close.
One of the most special parts of the celebration was the presence and support of our parent community. Parents joined us on campus to celebrate Tet with their children, and many generously volunteered their time to help prepare, organize, and support activities. Their involvement strengthened the connection between home and school and played an important role in the success of the event. We appreciate their partnership and continued support of our community.
Students and staff embraced the occasion by wearing áo dài and festive red and yellow attire, adding to the celebration and reinforcing respect for tradition. Behind the scenes, our event committee, teachers, assistants, and support staff worked together seamlessly to ensure that each part of the day ran smoothly.
The Elementary Tet Celebration 2026 was a wonderful example of how cultural events enrich student learning while strengthening community bonds. We thank everyone, students, parents, staff, and partners, who contributed to making this celebration such a memorable experience. Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!
Last Friday, our campus was alive as students, teachers, staff, and families gathered to celebrate Tết and the Lunar New Year. This special event honored Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Taiwanese traditions, transforming the school into a vibrant space filled with cultural pride, shared learning, and connection.
Students proudly wore traditional attire, including áo dài and hanbok. The day opened with cultural performances, highlighted by a Dragon Dance and a face-changing show in the gym. These performances brought the entire school into one shared experience and set an exciting tone for the afternoon, highlighting the history and symbolism behind Lunar New Year traditions.
After the performances, the campus shifted into a lively festival atmosphere. Students, teachers, and volunteers worked side by side to host a wide range of cultural booths and activities. Vietnamese and Chinese language classes led traditional games and learning stations, including calligraphy, folk games, and New Year trivia. Korean and Taiwanese activities invited students to try traditional games. Each booth was designed not only for fun, but also to help students understand the customs behind each tradition.
Food played an important role in the celebration. Students sampled traditional Lunar New Year dishes and learned how each item represents wishes for prosperity, health, and good fortune in the year ahead. These shared food experiences created natural gathering points where students from different grade levels and backgrounds connected and learned from one another.
Throughout the afternoon, student performances, fundraising activities, and games filled the gym, canteen, and common spaces. Students stepped into leadership roles as game hosts, performers, and organizers, while teachers and staff supported the event behind the scenes. This collaboration across divisions and cultures reflected the heart of our school community, learning by doing, serving others, and celebrating together.
The Tết celebration extended beyond a festival atmosphere into a rich educational experience. It gave students the chance to explore different cultures, appreciate long-standing traditions, and see their own heritage recognized and valued within the school environment. At the same time, it strengthened relationships among students, staff, and families through shared experiences and collective effort.
We give a huge thank you to Ms. Trang, Ms. Xu Dan, and Ms. Songmei for the huge amount of work they put into this event. Also, thank you to the event committee, teachers, student leaders, PALs, custodial and IT teams, and the many parents and volunteers who contributed their time and energy to make this celebration possible.
As we welcome the Lunar New Year, we carry forward the spirit of unity, respect, and cultural appreciation that defined this event. Chúc mừng năm mới!
