Whitehouse Station, NJ (January 19st, 2012) Preparations have already begun at Whitehouse Prep School for the Chinese New Year festivities since the beginning of the month. In China, families clean their homes, hang red banners with messages of good luck, pay respects to ancestors and begin to plan and prepare meals for Jan. 23. Here in Whitehouse Station, Whitehouse Prep Kindergarten students are busy sweeping out the bad luck, a must before Chinese New Year, to prepare for the prosperity and good fortune in the new year. Since New Year’s Eve in China represents the most important day of the year, these Kindergartners are learning and practicing the many New Year traditions to include the significance of the dragon, hanging red paper lanterns and decorations signifying "good fortune," "wealth," "longevity" and "happiness."
While Chinese New Year 2012 will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 23, marking the beginning of the year of the water dragon and the 4709th year of the Chinese calendar, Whitehouse Prep students have been preparing for their school celebrations for weeks. As part of the core curriculum, Mandarin and the Chinese culture are learned through songs, stories, projects and immersion. Whitehouse Prep students continue to celebrate a variety of Chinese holidays throughout the school year. Starting with the Mid-Autumn Festival in the fall to celebrate the autumn moon through to the Dragon-Boat Festival in the Spring. The school’s largest celebration of the year is the Chinese New Year Festival which spans over two days.
The first day includes the school-wide parade when the students don the dragon costume and sing the special songs to celebrate this holiday. The festivities continue on the second day with parent participation during our very colorful and animated celebrations.
Whitehouse Preparatory School is committed to empowering children to interact across borders and cultures by focusing on cultural awareness. Exposure to world cultures is one of the best ways to promote creative thinking and open-mindedness. Chinese New Year is a great opportunity for kids to learn about and respect traditions, and to take part in this experience that is celebrated by children and families all over Asia.
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Whitehouse Preparatory School is a private, independent Preschool to Kindergarten School devoted exclusively to children ages 3 through 6 with a curriculum designed to provide challenging academics, creative arts, music through violin instruction, Mandarin Chinese lessons, conflict resolution/anti-bullying and an intergenerational program. Designed by a kindergarten teacher with over 20 years teaching experience, the school has full and half-day Pre-School, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs, Before- and After-care, and a Summer Camp.
To learn more about Whitehouse Prep and to download an Application Form, please visit www.whitehouseprep.org.
