Jan. 17, 2025
Celebrating the Year of the Snake with the CBE
CALGARY – Calgary Board of Education Mandarin Bilingual Program schools are celebrating the Lunar New Year with special performances and events. These events offer opportunities for students in the program to demonstrate their language skills and cultural understanding developed throughout the school year.
Lunar New Year takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
Media are invited to attend these school celebrations. Students and teachers will be available for interviews and photos.
Highwood School (K-4)
The title of this year’s celebration is “Don’t get hisssssterical, but where is the snake?” Highwood School is trying to welcome in the Year of the Snake, but the star of the year has gone missing! Students explore different countries and cultures in hopes of finding the Chinese snake for the new year, and through their journey, they learn about the significance of the snake at the various places they visit.
Dress rehearsal
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 21
Time: 9:30 AM – 2 PM
Place: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. NW
Final Performance
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 21
Time: 7– 8:30 PM
Place: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave. NW
Contact: Principal Christine Cheung at 403-703-3015 or
cecheung@cbe.ab.ca
Midnapore (K-4) and Harold Panabaker (5-9) Schools
Both schools are set to ring in the lunar new year with a spectacular joint performance, showcasing students' talents from kindergarten through to Grade 9. This event offers a dynamic blend of festive songs, cultural dance, and theatrical performances to engage the audience and convey popular Lunar New Year legends and stories. "
Date: Thursday, Jan. 23
Time: 6:30 PM
Place: Harold Panabaker School, 23 Sackville Dr. SW
Contact: Principal Shelly Li at 403-777-7890
Colonel Irvine School
The school’s celebration will feature the theme “Tracing China’s Living Legacy: Dynasties.” Experience this vibrant legacy through captivating performances of music, skits, and dance by Grade 5-9 students.
Date: Thursday, Jan. 23
Time: 5:30 PM for Grades 5-6 and 7:15 PM for Grades 7-9
Place: Colonel Irvine School, 412 Northmount Dr. NW
Contact: Principal Bea Ko at 403-777-7280
Marion Carson School
The program will be a culmination of a residency with Trickster Theatre. It will highlight the year of the snake with connections to "New Beginnings and Belonging" bringing together students and families from the Mandarin Bilingual and Regular programs.
Date: Friday, Feb. 7
Time: 4 PM
Place: Marion Carson School, 5225 Varsity Dr. NW
Contact: Principal Dustin Turner at 403-777-6050
About CBE Mandarin Bilingual Programs
Five CBE schools offer a Mandarin Bilingual Program. This program is one of the many bilingual and alternative programs offered by the CBE. Bilingual education strives to provide intensive language learning environments with the potential for high academic achievement and enriched cultural experiences that maximize student opportunities for learning.