February 8, was the Lunar New Year for many of our students and staff at Boxwood P.S. Lunar New Year is a cultural and religious celebration for many Chinese, Koreans and
Vietnamese. This is the year of the Monkey. People born in 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 and
2004 were also born in the year of the “Monkey”.
Many rituals are associated with this festive occasion. They include cleaning house, paying off
debts, settling old arguments, and other means of making a "fresh start." To celebrate, people
may light firecrackers, hang poetry, enjoy a family feast (oranges and apples are considered
lucky fruits), exchange gifts (adults may give children laisee, red envelopes filled with money),
and buy new clothes or new shoes.
Ms. Forth and Ms. Yang celebrated this event in their class by wearing red and performing a 'Dragon Dance'.