Ozone Park middle school students ushered in the Year of the Horse last Friday, when MS 202’s students were treated to a Lunar New Year celebration.
Students with Chinese backgrounds shared stories about their own families and tradition surrounding the Chinese New Year. The school community learned that many of the families celebrate with a huge feast, typically held at midnight. Special fruits, including mandarin oranges, are placed on the tables. A large bowl of uncooked rice are also placed on the table, which is meant to bring wealth and prosperity in the new year.
The students were eager to share their special New Year traditions, and the pupils noted that because red is considered a lucky color, the children are given small red envelopes called hong biao, which are filled with money and candy – which they usually find tucked under their pillows on New Year’s Day morning.
Throughout the day, students shared some of their favorite sweet treats with us, such as sweet rice crackers, fortune cookies and zeen doy – which are sesame seed balls. The middle schoolers said they are especially looking forward to the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on the 15th day after New Year’s.
In honor of the Chinese New Year, the school treated all the students to cupcakes made for the occasion and a photo with the principal, William Fitzgerald. The MS 202 community would like to extend its good wishes to all who celebrate the Chinese New Year and wish everyone Gong Hay Fat Choy!
