On February 7 and 8, just ahead of the Presidents' Day weekend, Irvine Chinese School (ICS) hosted a vibrant and unique series of Lunar New Year celebrations.
Moving away from the traditional large-scale carnivals of previous years, the school specially curated a program of cultural workshops followed by classroom potlucks, inviting parents directly into the classrooms to ring in the New Year alongside their children.
This event marked a significant milestone as the first major formal gathering open to parents since the end of the pandemic, offering a deeply immersive experience that integrated culinary education, moral character building, and the preservation of traditional heritage.
The festivities began with two periods of specialized cultural instruction designed by the teachers. Guided by their instructors, students explored the significance of "Lunar New Year Greetings" and the symbolism behind traditional festive foods.
In various classrooms, students practiced calligraphy to create Spring Couplets, mastered the art of paper-cutting, and crafted decorative ornaments for the Year of the Horse.
Through these immersive activities, the children gained a deeper understanding of their heritage, planting the seeds of cultural identity in their hearts before the feast even began. By the third period, the campus buzzed with excitement as parents arrived with steaming containers of home-cooked delicacies, their laughter and lively conversations instantly filling the teaching buildings.
The classroom potlucks showcased the incredible creativity and care of Irvine’s Chinese-American families.
Tables were laden with a diverse array of symbolic dishes, ranging from "reunion" dumplings and pizzas to "auspicious" oranges and "ever-rising" rice cakes (Nian Gao).
To further integrate language learning, many teachers guided students to write the names of each dish in Chinese characters to place alongside the food.
For many parents, the opportunity to participate in their children's Chinese school activities and share their "tastes of home" while living overseas was both deeply moving and meaningful.
This celebration was far more than just a meal; it was a practical lesson in etiquette and gratitude. Before dining, many classes held special ceremonies where students, under their teachers' guidance, offered traditional New Year greetings and auspicious wishes to their parents in Chinese.
Children practiced the tradition of receiving Red Envelopes (Hong Bao) with both hands as a sign of respect, and some teachers even arranged for children to serve food to their parents first.
Seeing their children thoughtfully present food and offer blessings left many parents deeply touched by the warm atmosphere. In other classrooms, the space was transformed into a mini-stage where children performed New Year songs, their youthful voices and festive gestures creating precious memories that parents eagerly captured on their phones.
Irvine Chinese School Principal Jennifer Su emphasized the vision behind this year’s change, noting that this was the first time since the lifting of pandemic restrictions that the school truly opened its doors for parents to participate deeply in campus life.
She explained that the decision to pivot from traditional game booths to classroom potlucks was made to return to the true essence of the New Year: "Reunion." Principal Su further noted that this format strengthens the vital bond between home and school, as every dish brought by a family represents the warmth of heritage and the spirit of sharing.
Through this process of eating and learning together, the school hopes every family feels the unity, harmony, and warmth of the Lunar New Year. This successful celebration not only taught students language and etiquette but also rebuilt a community network filled with love and cultural pride for the post-pandemic era.