Paradise Valley Tigers celebrated and honored the day by putting on a narrated and musical performance detailing the story of the Rabbit for their families. (Natrona County School District)

CASPER, Wyo. — Paradise Valley Elementary and CY Middle School celebrated the Year of the Rabbit in their annual Chinese New Year celebrations. These two schools are home to Natrona County School District’s Mandarin Chinese Dual Language Immersion program.

In this program, students are immersed in the language and culture of Mandarin Chinese. At the elementary level, students receive part of daily instruction in English and the other half of the day in Mandarin. As students transition to the DLI program in middle school, they participate in specially designed courses that focus on language and literacy as well as culture and media.

Paradise Valley Tigers celebrated and honored the day by putting on a narrated musical performance detailing the story of the Rabbit for their families. Families also had the exciting opportunity to visit the PV art gallery showcasing the terrific artwork students have created throughout the year.

CY Cyclones joined their families for a cultural presentation presented by all students. Then, students performed songs, poems, and skits to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The celebration concluded with an engaging and informational Chinese fair filled with traditional games, food, and fun for all families.

Dual Language Immersion programs at NCSD are parent-choice programs that begin in Kindergarten at the following schools: Paradise Valley Elementary School (Mandarin Chinese), Park Elementary School (Spanish), and Verda James Elementary School (Spanish). Students then follow the program throughout their educational journey.

The DLI programs continue into middle school at CY (Mandarin Chinese) and Dean Morgan (Spanish). Students must be enrolled in the elementary program beginning in Kindergarten in order to be eligible to continue in middle school.

Paradise Valley is committed to ensuring students will be globally competent through investigating the world around them, recognizing their own and others’ perspectives, communicating ideas, and taking action.

CY is committed to educational excellence through focusing on school and district strategic plans, emphasizing high expectations for student learning, engaging students in 21st century skills, celebrating achievement, and creating a safe and healthy environment.

The Lunar New Year is celebrated across the world. CY Middle School and Paradise Valley Elementary students, staff, and families had a wonderful time participating and honoring the celebration, ushering in luck and prosperity into this new year.

More photos are available on the Natrona County School District Facebook page.

(Natrona County School District)
(Natrona County School District)
(Natrona County School District)
(Natrona County School District)
(Natrona County School District)