A long line of cheering, chanting, cymbal-clanging, red-clothed first-graders made their way through the hallways and stairways of May Moore on Feb. 27, forming several “dragons” as they wandered past younger students who sat in awe. The excitingly loud Chinese New Year parade was the latest in a long annual tradition at the school, celebrating the Year of the Sheep with red paper lanterns, lucky money and a festive feast of Chinese food.

“Chinese New Year is an important festival celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar,” said Principal Alicia Konecny. “Dragon and lion dances are common during Chinese New Year, and our students learned that according to tales and legends, it is believed that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals together with the face of the dragon or lion can ward off bad or evil spirits.”