In celebration of Lunar New Year, the Chinese Parent Group hosted its annual staff lunch featuring Chinese food and performances for staff and snacks for students on Feb. 6. This year’s lunch included a new tea station in the staff lounge, where teachers could try a variety of traditional Chinese teas such as jasmine green tea and oolong tea.
“It’s a very important holiday for all Chinese people, and I think also for people from other Asian countries too,” Chinese Parent Group president QiZhi Chen said. “It’s a tradition for our Chinese group in Portola High to show appreciation for all the teachers and staff. We want to just share the holiday, share the love with all the teachers and students and also [we want to] share our traditional culture.”
In the staff lounge, Freshman Kelly Lin performed on the Chinese string instrument the Erhu, followed by freshman Stephanie Zhao performing on the accordion, according to Zhao.
“I’m a little bit nervous but also excited,” Zhao said. “I’ve rarely gone on stage. I’ve performed in multicultural talent shows at my middle school, but I’ve never really performed in front of teachers.”
Food for staff included broccoli and beef, stir-fried noodles, tofu, green beans and coconut shrimp. Teachers were also given special gifts such as customized USB holders, according to Chen. Snacks such as rice crackers and white rabbit candy were handed out to students. The first 500 students additionally received a Chinese decorative knot, according to Chen.
The Chinese Language department contributed by providing posters from previous years to decorate the staff lounge, according to Chinese teacher Peggy Ammermann. The posters feature various aspects of Chinese culture, such as different Chinese dynasties and Chinese New Year traditions, according to Ammermann.
“For Chinese New Year, since we cannot go home, Portola is our home away from home,” Ammermann said. “It’s nice to share our most significant festival with not just our [Chinese classes], but our whole learning community. Portola is very diverse, and we want to share everyone’s traditions.”
In the future, the Chinese Parent Group hopes to continue hosting its annual staff lunch celebrating Lunar New Year, according to Chen.
