NEWS Walnut Valley Unified School District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 880 S. Lemon Avenue
February 10, 2014 Walnut, CA 91789
Walnut Elementary School Rings in Chinese New Year
WALNUT, CA—It was a cloudy day but the warmth of Chinese New Year spread among the supportive parents and families at Walnut Elementary School.
Students enrolled in the Dual Language Immersion Program shared songs and skits in Mandarin Chinese to commemorate this festive celebration during an assembly held in the amphitheater on Friday, January 31.
Over 150 students in kindergarten, first, and second grades demonstrated what they have been learning from Mandarin literacy teachers Jeannie Lin, Henry Lin, and Amy Wu.
The audience was amazed at the level of language and cultural proficiency among the students, especially the second graders, many of whom have been part of the program since pre-kindergarten.
They presented a multi-layered skit complete with partner dancing and brooms to sweep out the old and bring in the new.
The kindergarteners were captivating in their bright red costumes, and the first graders charmed everyone with their expressive faces.
In Walnut Elementary’s Dual Language Immersion classes, heritage and non-heritage speakers learn together as they are instructed in Mandarin for 50% of the day and in English the other 50%. English teachers Carol Cheng, Krystin Wong, and Connie Shiroishi collaborate with their Mandarin partners to assure that Common Core State Standards are covered in addition to reading, writing, speaking, and listening in both English and Mandarin.
“I am so glad that the entire school was able to see their fellow students during the dress rehearsal held on Thursday,” commented Principal Janet Green.
“Everyone was excited to see the dragon lead the parade and the amazing grand finale!”
Shown:
Walnut Elementary students enrolled in the Dual Language Immersion Program performed songs and skits during a Chinese New Year celebration.
The dragon led the parade during the finale.