On Friday, January 20th, Presidio Knolls School celebrated Chinese New Year 2012. The entire PKS community gathered at Fort Mason Center to welcome the year of the Dragon, with a wonderful event organized by our parent volunteers and school staff.

Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese culture– it’s the equivalent of Thanksgiving and Christmas combined.  And at PKS, the annual Chinese New Year party is a way for students, families, faculty and staff to come together with food and fun, expressing our gratitude for the  blessings of the past year and looking forward to the year to come.

This year’s event featured readings by noted children’s author Oliver Chin, calligraphy activities, and a spectacular lion dance that delighted the children. There was a video showing the students’ New Year’s preparations over the last few weeks.  The walls were decorated with their artwork. And of course, there was plenty of delicious Chinese food, including many of the traditional dishes and snacks served at Chinese New Year (the candied fruit was especially popular with the children). The children danced and played, and parents and teachers had a chance to eat and mingle.

January 23rd, 2012 starts the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dragon. The Dragon is considered a very auspicious symbol. An extroverted bundle of energy, everything a Dragon does is on a grand scale. Thus, it is fitting that PKS is opening its elementary school in the fall of the Dragon year– we have ambitious plans and high expectations for our school and for our children.

Let us hope the innovative, enterprising, brave, and passionate drive of the Dragon will bring a great 2012 to you and your family!

Happy Chinese New Year!