Bloomington Elementary’s celebration of Lunar New Year highlights dual language immersion program

ST. GEORGE — The Bloomington Elementary dual language immersion classes gave student performances to both students and, later in the evening, to parents, celebrating the Chinese culture and Chinese New Year last week.

Bloomington Elementary students perform cultural songs and dances to celebrate Chinese New Year, St. George, Utah, Jan. 11, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

“It was great,” said Travis Wilstead, who serves as the dual immersion and world language coordinator for the Washington County School District. “I love this opportunity for the kids to show off the things they have learned.”

The afternoon assembly featured students in grades first through fifth who performed various musical numbers, each with designated students from each class introducing the selections.

The Chinese New Year Program was presented completely in Chinese, except for Principal Susan Moore, who asked trivia questions about China between performances as the classes set up.

The trivia questions covered a variety of subjects relating to China, from animals like panda bears to the Eighth Wonder of the World: the Terracotta Warriors.

The performances started with the first grade girls performing “You Look Pretty When You Smile” after an introduction by fourth graders Saige Alleman and William Treanor teaching some facts about China and the culture.

Second grade classes followed with a performance about the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, which were introduced by Cambree Layton and Graham Hafen.

Chinese Kungfu, performed by the first grade boys, received a rousing reception. About half of the boys wore the same white and blue Chinese outfits.

Multiple students wore Chinese apparel and props were used throughout the performances, including dragon streamers.

Bloomington Elementary students perform cultural songs and dances to celebrate Chinese New Year, St. George, Utah, Jan. 11, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

Wilstead explained that when the dual language immersion program started, there was a survey performed with parents and students. The survey limited the five state-sponsored languages to two — Spanish and Chinese. The other languages sponsored by the state include German, Portuguese and French. Chinese was selected as the one language and culture the district would focus on.

Eleven elementary schools, four intermediate/middle schools and four high schools participate in the dual language immersion program.

“Almost all of our teachers for our dual immersion are recruited from outside of the United States,” Wilstead said. “Most are here on a visa to teach.”

Moore said she had 14 applicants for one dual immersion position. She mentioned that Chinese culture emphasizes the importance of education as most of the applicants have two master’s degrees or a doctorate.

“Dual immersion gives a different opportunity for kids to learn,” Wilstead said.

The benefits of the program have been observed by Wilstead as a district administrator as well as a principal. He said there have been improvements with kids who have learning disabilities as well as older students in high school who grew up in the program have improved GPAs. The best benefit is the kids are fluent in another language, he said.

The Chinese Lunar New Year is a 15-day celebration with parades, celebrations, festivals and more. It is based on the lunisolar calendar. This year it is celebrated from Jan. 22-Feb. 9 and marks the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit.

Occurring every 12 years, the Year of the Rabbit goes back as follows: 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927, etc. According to the travel guide site China Highlights, “The rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture. Those born under the long-eared animal are considered to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded and ingenious.”

“Xīn nián kuài lè” translates roughly to “Happy New Year” in the Chinese language.

Bloomington Elementary students perform cultural songs and dances to celebrate Chinese New Year, St. George, Utah, Jan. 11, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

The performance ended with applause from fellow students, and all representatives of the district such as Wilstead complimented and gave accolades to the students and their progression within the dual immersion program.

A few of the other schools within the district are celebrating the Lunar New Year. This includes Santa Clara Elementary, which has Chinese New Year week Jan. 17-20. A few schools are holding Chinese book fairs over the next couple of weeks during the festivities. Each dual language immersion school has schedules of the Chinese New Year’s student performances.

Iron County School District Communication and Foundation Coordinator Shauna Lund said there is one dual immersion school, Fiddler’s Elementary. A Chinese New Year celebration for the school staff, students and parents is scheduled for Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m.

The dual immersion school for Washington County will be performing at Utah Tech University on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. at the Gardner Center and Browning Learning Center. Performances will include students from Bloomington Elementary, Lava Ridge Intermediate, Three Falls Elementary and Arrowhead Elementary.

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