April 26, 2017 -- More than 100 Rox Mid students and their families attended a Chinese New Year celebration on February 9 at the school, where they enjoyed authentic Chinese food, performances and decorations.
Ahead of the event, Mandarin Chinese teacher Ms. Tai prepared a Chinese New Year Week in which students learned the customs for the celebration of Chinese New Years, including Chinese Zodiac animals, writing the door couplets, making paper cuttings and making dumplings.
The New Year celebration kicked off with terrific food and moved into the presentation portion of the night. The eighth graders' drumming and lion dance and seventh and sixth graders’ dragon dance parade began the performances. The sixth graders sang “It’s a Small World” and introduced the countries that they represented in Chinese, greatly impressing the audience. Student teacher Miss Lee performed a Chinese traditional fan dance.
The eighth graders worked together to put on a play to show what they've learned in class. The sixth graders then performed a Kung Fu Fan dance choreographed by Miss Lee. The seventh graders recited a Chinese New Year rhyme, “Happy New Year.” In addition, a guest musician played the erhu, a traditional Chinese string instrument. At last, Ms. Tai and students sang and danced “Little Apple” to wish everyone having a safe year.
After the performance, parents, family members and students all enthusiastically participated in a Chinese New Year Knowledge Challenge activity, concluding this successful event. The Year of the Rooster is off to a great start at Roxboro!