Chinese NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS ~ NYC Events!

With a Bang! and a Grrrr! kids will love to ring in (and gong in) the Year of the Tiger on Chinese Lunar New Year, February 14th, 2010. Whether you cheer on lion dancers, follow the dragon in the parade, or go out for yummy dumplings (or make them in a fun workshop), we’ve got the goods on all that’s happening and where to find it to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year in New York City.

Lunar New Year Family Festival
Saturday and Sunday, February 6-7, 10am-5pm
Museum of Chinese in Americas at 215 Centre Street and Children's Museum of the Arts at 182 Lafayette Street, Manhattan
Daily event tickets cost $10 / person (adult or child any age) for each venue.

The Museum of Chinese In America (MOCA) and Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA) are teaming up to create a huge co-hosted weekend of fun family-friendly events, classes, art workshops and festivities. to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Festival highlights include a Silkscreening and Tiger-Puppet-Making Workshop with artist Peter Yip (reserve in advance), a Chinese Yo-Yo performance, a participatory Lion Dance Workshop and a Storytelling and Art Workshop with My Chinatown author-illustrator Kam Mak, cool Lunar New Year Cake Decorating Workshop with Christina Seid from the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, a Noodle-Making Demo, storytelling and a Lion dance.

Check their websites (above) for more information about the festival events and other Lunar New Year events this month.

Discount tip: On Sunday buy a ticket at one venue & get 50% off your ticket at the other.

New Year's Day Firecracker Ceremony, Parade, & Cultural Festival
Sara Roosevelt Park, Corner of Grand St and Chrystie St., Manhattan
Sunday, February 14th, noon-3:30 pm
All ages, Free!

After the opening ceremonies (including a huge firecracker display), Lion Dancers and Chinese Opera singers will perform on stage along with Dragon and Unicorn dance troupes. While on-stage events continue, lion dancers and other performers will march through Chinatown (Mott, Bowery, East Broadway, Bayard, Elizabeth, and Pell) to help ring in the New Year. Expect all-day singing and dance performances at various points where smaller stages are set up along the route. We’ve enjoyed this parade more than once and though crazy-busy it’s always a worthwhile treat.

TIP: Don't bring a stroller. It's too crowded.

Chinatown Lion and Dragon Dance Parade and Performance
Sunday, February 21st, from 1:00 pm - 3 pm
All Ages, Free

Expect to see fantastic floats and plenty of lion and dragon dancers marching down the streets. Talented acrobats, martial arts performers, singers, dancers, and even magicians join the procession. Afterwards you can head over to Bayard Street for an outdoor festival where you can see more great Asian/Asian-American talent on display. Route: The parade weaves through Chinatown. Stick near Mott and you should find it.

Lunar New Year’s Parade and Celebration in Flushing, Queens
PARADE: from Union Street at 37th Ave.(start) to Main Street, 39th Ave, Queens
Saturday, February 20th, 11 am to 1 pm, All ages, Free!

Be prepared for plenty of dragon dancers, drummers, colorful costumes and fireworks plus all the traditional fanfare. After the parade follow the performers to the Flushing Mall (13331 39th Ave. at Prince St., just two blocks from Main St.) for more festivities including music, a Chinese children’s choir, Chinese calligraphy demos and even more fireworks (!), not to mention their fantastic Food Court (this is not a typical food court, but amazing, authentic Chinese food--definitely go!)

PARADE TIP: Find a spot early anywhere on Main street to see the action. There are some viewing stands along the parade route typically at the Flushing Library (Main and Kissena) as well as at 39th and Main where the parade ends.

AFTER THE PARADE…Beginning at 1pm Flushing hosts two more FREE celebrations for the public (All Ages), both featuring festivities, performances, music, and “cultural displays”. One is at The Flushing Chinese Business Association Celebration on the second floor of Queens Crossing at 136-17 39th Ave., Queens and the other, the Korean American Association of Queens Celebration takes place at Korea Village Open Center at 150-24 Northern Blvd. At 150th Street, Queens (718-353-8969). Expect Korean food, dancing, martial arts demonstrations, games, music and more.

Plus there’s a Free Post-Parade multi-cultural DANCE show:
Flushing Town Hall Post-Parade Lunar New Year Dance Sampler
137-35 Northern Blvd, at Linden, Queens
Saturday, February 20th, 2pm (post-parade), All ages, Free!

NY Institute of Culture and the Arts presents a panoply of dance performances from Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Asia Society’s Moon Over Manhattan New Year’s Celebration
Asia Society, 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street), Manhattan
Saturday, February 6th, 1-4pm, All ages
Free with admission. $10 adults, children under 16 free

We did this one year and loved it. Multiple events run on different floors but don’t miss the main stage show including a Dragon Dance, a dynamic Kung Fu demonstration, and an excerpt from a classic Peking Opera Monkey King Steals the Heavenly Peaches. Another exciting-sounding highlight is The Cat Who Went to Heaven, a delightful jazz puppet show for children age 6 and up from 12:30-1:30pm. Other Lunar New Year activities include Chinese paper cutting, making 3D animal zodiac books, origami, and a reading of the book The Year of the Tiger by author Justin Roth. This events sells out every year, so get your tickets early!

Brooklyn Children’s Museum Chinese New Year Weekend
145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn
Saturday, Feb 6th and Sunday Feb 7th beginning at 10 am
Most events are for all ages, a few are age specific
Free with admission

Get ready for the Year of the Tiger with special programs like enjoying the Transfiguration Song & Dance Group, creating a Plum Blossom art project, making your own Lion Dance Puppets or New Years Hats, or testing out Fire It Up fireworks in the science kitchen.

China Institute Lunar New Year Celebrations
125 East 65th Street, Manhattan
For more info or to register contact Crystal Elmore at 212-744-8181, x118,celmore@chinainstitute.org

The China Institute celebrates the Lunar New Year with a free Lion Dance performance on the street outside their building (Sunday, February 7, 11 am -12 pm), plus lots of workshops. Try the Dumpling Making Workshop on February 6 or 13 1-2:30 to learn how to make your own dumplings (and eat the results). or check their website for other New Year related workshops. Workshop Cost: $50 for one child and one adult ($40 member child-adult pair), $20 each additional person.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Lunar New Year Celebration
1000 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
Sunday, February 7, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., The Uris Center for Education, ground floor
All ages, Free with museum admission.

Special Lunar New Year’s program featuring Sesame Street-star Alan Muraoka; a performance by Music for China Changing Faces (Chinese folk opera from Sichuan); hands-on activities for children and adults alike; a lion procession, and more!

NY Chinese Cultural Center Lunar New Year Festival
Various locations (Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island)
February 6, 13 and 21
Tickets $10-$20 depending on venue

Dance is such an integral part of the Lunar New Year’s Celebration that you’ll find it part of most Lunar New Year's Celebrations. Fun performances for the entire family feature music, dance, Peking Opera and more. These dance performances offer traditional Chinese performing arts from Dance China NY and the Chinese Cultural Center's students.

World Financial Center Celebrates Chinese New Year
World Financial Center, Winter Garden
February 17, 12:30pm
All ages, Free!

Les Ballets de L’Opera Chinois offers a free lively performance of music and traditional dance

Lunar New Year Story Times
Children learn about Chinese Lunar New Year through picture books:

On February 6 from 12-2 noted ringmaster and puppeteer Grace Chang reads from her newest book, "Jin Jin and Rain Wizard" at Books of Wonder . All ages, FREE

Author Michele Wong McSween reads from two recently launched books featuring adorable pandas, "Gordon & Li Li: Learn Animals in Mandarin" and "Gordon & Li Li: Count in Mandarin. For children Ages 2-4. Saturday, Feb 6 at apple seeds and Feb 7th at Books Of Wonder. Check website for times and locations.

Scholastic Store Celebrates Chinese New Year
555 Broadway, Manhattan
Make Chinese tiger puppets and enjoy a story that will teach your children the history of Chinese New Year.
Saturday, Feburary 20th, 3pm, Ages 4 and up, Free!

Chinese New Year Gala Event with Grace Chang and Jin Jin
Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Theater
1 Grand Army Plaza
Featuring, acrobats, magic illusions, puppetry, live music and Jin Jin the dragon!.
Saturday, February 13, 1:00 PM. Ages 3-8, Free!

MORE: In addition to this main branch event you’ll find the following FREE library events in honor of the Lunar New Year. Chinese Theater Works Presents Hao Bang Ya, Tigers! Puppet Show on Sat Feb 6th at 2pm at the Kings Bay Libraryand on Tuesday Feb 9th at 3pm at the McKinley Park Library, both shows are for all ages. Chinese Theater Works Presents the Ti-oh-oh Puppet Show at theMapleton branch on Wed Feb 10th, 4pm, All Ages, Free!, and finally both theKensington branch AND at Homecrest branch BOTH Celebrate Chinese New Year with Games, Activities, and Music on Thurs Feb 11th 3:45 pm , All ages, Free

Lunar New Year Festival at Flushing Library

41-17 Main St at Kissena Blvd, Queens
Saturday February 27th, program repeats at 10:00am 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm

Celebrate the Year of the Tiger with Chinese and Korean Music, Dance, Song Arts, and Food! This event sounds awesome. A few standout highlights include learning to make (and eat!) Korean bibimbap (which happens to be very delish and kid friendly food), learning to make special New Years flower arrangements, and this intriguing one: “Face-Changing” with the Hung Fing Kwoon Group. Day’s events are all on a first come, first served basis (Hint: this one is popular)

Chinese Theater Works Presents Hao Bang Ya, Tigers! Puppet Show

The Chatham Square Library

33 East Broadway, Manhattan
Thursday February 11th , 3:30 pm, Ages 5 and older. Free!
Right afterwards at 4pm they offer Chinese New Year Crafts for Children

MOVIE NIGHT ~ Friday!!

Family Movie Night Friday, January 29th @ 6:30

This Friday is our second family movie night open to grades K-5.

"Bolt" is our feature film ~ a kid and adult favorite!

It has many laugh out loud moments, that provide great entertainment for everyone in the family!

ALL CHILDREN must be accompanied & supervised by an adult.

Cost: $5 for each child - which includes admission and movie treats!

Parents, we are asked to bring a snack/baked good to share with other parents, and bring your desire for visiting and maybe a favorite game if you want to get a group going!

The PTA would love your help that evening! Please consider helping with the set-up, handing out movie treats for the children, clean-up....or all 3! We hope to have your help - please email Nikki Leopold at nikkipta@gmail.com on how you can help & to RSVP so that we can plan for the number of children/families attending.

See you at the movie!!

Important Dates

Hello everyone!

Back to posting about school, classes and updates. Sorry for the time away!

THIS WEEK

1. No School! Today, Monday, Jan. 18^th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

2. Parent Breakfast with the Principal Wednesday, Jan. 20^th at 8:00 a.m. in the school library.

The PTA meeting scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 21 has been cancelled and will be combined with this meeting.

COMING UP

Student of the Month Assembly ~ Monday, Jan. 25^th at 9:35 a.m.

Miss Kenny will inform you if your child will be receiving an award that morning.

Birthday Lunch with the Principal ~ Wednesday, Jan. 27^th

For those students who have a January birthday.

Family Movie Night ~ Friday, Jan. 29^th at 6:30 p.m. (more details to come)

Field Trip ~ Tuesday, Feb. 2^nd

The class will be going to the Laguardia Performing Art Center to watch a play titled Chinese New Year Celebration. If you have not done so already, please send $7.00 to school to cover the cost of the trip.

100^th Day of School ~ Friday, Feb. 12^th

To celebrate 100 days of school, the students will be doing different math games throughout the day in different classrooms at the school. It will be a fun and busy day!

State Tests

Please mark your calendars and be sure your child doesn’t have any conflicts on these days. Miss Kenny will be sending home more information and preparation packages as the time comes closer.

April 26^th and 27^th – State Math Test

May 5^th and 6^th – State English & Language Arts (ELA) Test

THANK YOU for a Successful Raffle/Fundraiser

A letter from Kristi T. that oversaw the Raffle for the PTA Fundraiser for the Music & Arts Program.

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Dear parents,

I wanted to personally thank all of you who participated in raising funds for the Music & Arts program at our holiday concert. Whether you donated an item for a raffle basket, money for an item, bought raffle tickets, sold raffle tickets or gave a donation at the door, all of these helped to make this fundraiser a success.

Thanks to all of your efforts we were able to raise $1,077 for the Music & Arts program at our school. We are so grateful for your generosity and dedication to the school!

Thank you again.

Kristi T.

1st Vice President, PTA

UPCOMING EVENTS!

There are many wonderful events taking place in Class 301 and at the school in the next week and a half before Winter Break. Please look through the events to be sure you are aware of everything going on. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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Parent Workshop & Math Fun Day

**Date Change!**

Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 8:00 – 9:15 a.m.

3rd grade classrooms, 2nd floor

The learning of multiplication facts is a very important part of the third grade math curriculum. All parents are invited and encouraged to attend a workshop where our 3rd grade teachers, Ms Kenny and Ms. Menschel, will teach us some ways to help our child practice and master this very important skill. This will be followed by a Math Fun Time where we and our child can practice some of the multiplication games you have just learned about. Please make every effort to come!!

December Birthdays ‘Lunch with the Principal’

Wednesday, Dec. 16

The PTA is interested to have any parent volunteers help with these events...especially for the months that your child(ren) will be attending. Please contact a PTA member for a month that you can come to volunteer!

Cultures and Tradition Sharing Time

A note was sent home last week with updated information about having the students put together presentations on their Cultures/Traditions from home and family to share with the class. We are still interested to have parents come in if possible, if not then to work with your child on the Tradition project at home. Please return the form to Miss Kenny by Tuesday, Dec. 15. If you did not see the form, please let us know and we can get you a form asap!

Amalgamated Bank

Thursday, Dec. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Parents are invited to attend the Kick-off Celebration at Amalgamated Bank with the class. The students will be provided with lunch, take a tour of the bank, participate in a discussion about Money Sense, and then can open their own accounts. A note was sent home previously, please ask the school or Ms. Kenny if you need the information again.

Student of the Month Assembly

Monday, Dec. 21, at 9:35 a.m.

*Miss Kenny will inform you if your child will be receiving an award that morning.

Holiday Celebration

Wednesday, Dec. 23, more information about this will follow shortly.

NO SCHOOL!

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009 – Friday, Jan. 1, 2010 (Winter Recess)

*First day back to school in the new year is Monday, Jan. 4

Class Blog - NOW SHOWING!

Today, Thursday December 10th, Class 301 enjoyed a field trip to see 'The Christmas Carol' at Town Hall in Manhattan. Go HERE to see pictures from today and read more about the great field trip, and other class events that have taken place this year on our new picture site and blog!

WELCOME to 301 Class Blog

This is a blog for you as parents of 301 and the PS/IS 217 school to follow for announcements, updates and other important information to be made aware of.

Please come and view this frequently - updates will be made a few times a week!

Thanks!

Summer

Class Parent 301