Happy New Year!
This year, January 25 is the Lunar New Year. Best wishes to all who are celebrating.
Lunar New Year is the first day (new moon) of the first month of the traditional lunar calendar followed by people in China, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, and more. Traditionally the celebration would start on the 23rd day of the last month (the 12th or 13th month) and last until the 15th of the first month of the new year (full moon). Now it is still a week long holiday in China and three days in Korea, the biggest in the year.
Each year there is a particular zodiac animal as the symbol of the year. The animal of this year is the rat. I found this cool site that gave a lot more information (https://chinesenewyear.net/).
The Lunar New Year is a holiday for family reunion. For followers of Buddhism, the Lunar New Year is a time to pay respect to Buddha and Bodhisattva Guanyin; for followers of Taoism, a time to pay respect to Taoist Gods. There are weeklong temple fairs of various kinds. People send new year greetings/prayers to relatives and friends.
NOTE: Our school calendar includes holidays and observances that are significant in our community. As a regular feature, I try to send updates on these observances and information on accommodations. We are not always familiar with all the holidays, with which religions are represented in our classrooms, or with the nature of different traditions. I encourage you to send me notes to educate us on the appropriate and positive ways to recognize and support the diversity of our community. Also, please notify your teachers well in advance of any special considerations you feel you need, so that they can make appropriate plans.
SOURCES: For anyone wondering, I gather this information from Wikipedia, information sent to me, a few college interfaith chaplain sites, and greeting cards. I don’t use quotations or citations much, because I am claiming neither expertise nor scholarship. Kids, don’t do this for homework