Jefferson Celebrates Year of the Horse
Jefferson Primary School students helped usher in the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse. The youngsters were typically enthusiastic and interested in learning as much as they could about a faraway land with unfamiliar customs and practices.
The lunar calendar is recognized in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Macau, Malaysia, Mauritius and the Philippines. While the countries of Southeast Asia and those nearby follow the same Gregorian calendar as the rest of the world, they continue to engage in lunar calendar celebrations.
It was with a sense of excitement that Jefferson’s students exclaimed “Gung Hay Fat Choy,” which translates in English to “Best wishes and congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year.”
Jefferson hosted Joseph Leavy, district chairperson of humanities, 7-12 and two Huntington High School students who shared their knowledge of traditional Chinese customs with second graders. Mr. Leavy has visited China many times, including living in the country for a stretch of time. His twin sons are Jefferson School students.
The Jefferson youngsters enjoyed a lesson on speaking Chinese and writing with Chinese characters as well as learning a dragon dance. Mr. Leavy read selections from Huntington author William Low’s book Chinatown.
“The book Chinatown was taken out by my son Peter from the Jefferson library,” Mr. Leavy explained. The book served as the centerpiece of the veteran educator’s presentation to the second grade class in the cafeteria at the end of the day.
Two exchange students studying at Huntington High School, Ing-Ting from Taiwan and Heip Tran from Vietnam assisted Mr. Leavy and demonstrated how to write various simple characters as well as helping two seven year olds don the lion head for a dance to celebrate the New Year and bring good luck.
“Students also learned to say a few words in Chinese, including ‘hello’ (ni-hao) and ‘please sit down’ (ching-dzwo),” Mr. Leavy said. “They also shared in learning about a few other Chinese traditions, like tai chi and showing respect to elders.”
Mr. Leavy said he was “honored” to have been invited to Jefferson by teacher Rosita Lanoue to make the presentation on the Chinese New Year and “appreciative” of the welcome he received from Principal Valerie Capitulo-Saide and faculty colleagues Patricia Sweeney, Sharon Weider and Karen Mallo-Rizzo.