Norton Celebrates Chinese New Year

On Friday, Feb. 12, Norton Space & Aeronautics Academy (NSAA), a dual language charter school in San Bernardino, celebrated Chinese New Year with an assembly presented by their students. NSAA’s students are learning in English and Spanish, but also have the unique opportunity to learn about the Chinese culture and language through its weekly enrichment classes. The Chinese classes are offered with the collaboration of the Confucius Institute at UCLA. NSAA has offered this class since 2011. Other enrichment classes offered at NSAA include Art, Music, PE, and Fine Arts in the Middle Grades. The Chinese New Year assembly gave students the opportunity to share what they have learned. Chinese teacher, Shen Yun Hsieh (Ms. Jessica), choreographed all the numbers, and coordinated students from grade K-8. Students performed dances, songs, and chants that ranged from the traditional Chinese/Asian to the very modern “Little Apple,” a top-of-the charts pop song in China last year. The assembly included the famous Dragon dance, as well, as the Chinese fan dance. NSAA’s CEO, Gordon Soholt, was among the esteemed guests, along with three UCLA representatives, Ms. Susan Jain, Ms. Emilia Sargent, and Professor Hu from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Parents, teachers, fellow classmates, and special guests alike were impressed with the performances and to see students singing in Mandarin Chinese. Students are NSAA were also encouraged to participate in the larger community events celebrating Lunar New Year, such as in Riverside and Los Angeles. The Chinese New Year celebration at Norton Space and Aeronautics Academy was an incredible event as the students celebrated diversity and global awareness.