Practice made perfect.
Rehearing since Christmas, students at Vernon's 脡cole Beairsto welcomed the Lunar New Year with the school's annual parade through the hallways Wednesday, Jan. 29.
The tradition was started by now retired teacher Anita Baturin, who returned to the hallowed hallways to help lead the parade, and she could be heard saying "Bonne Ann茅e (Happy New Year) to students, parents, and visitors lining the hallways of two of the school's three floors.
"Anita started the parade and she passed the torch, so it's special to keep it going," said Beairsto Grade 1 teacher Sara McLean, who was in charge of 80 six and seven year olds doing a fan dance up and down the hallways. McLean led the fan procession.
"The kids have been so excited," said McLean. "We've had 80 Grade 1s going back-to-back in the hallways getting ready for this."
Beairsto Kindergarten students made noise makers and helped lead the parade, while Grade 4-5 students brought to life a celebratory dragon as they paraded through the school.
The Lunar, or Chinese, New Year marks the beginning of the Chinese lunar calendar year. This year, 2025, is the Year of the Snake which is said to symbolize good luck, rebirth, and regality, according to forbes.com.
The website says there are 12 zodiac animals in Chinese astrology and each is associated with one of the five elements 鈥� the snake of 2025 is a wood animal, which represents growth, flexibility and tolerance.
People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be resilient and courageous, and have strong interpersonal skills and leadership skills. The snake is considered to be the most tenacious of the 12 zodiac animals.
