Tarwater Elementary Lunar New Year Celebration Showcases Strong Pre-K–12 Pathway and Student Leadership

On February 6th 2026, Tarwater Elementary School hosted a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration that brought together students, families, educators, and community partners for an evening of cultural learning, student leadership, and cross-grade collaboration. The event drew more than 1,000 attendees, making it one of the school’s largest community celebrations of all time.

The event featured 32 activity and craft booths, 10 student-run booths, 5 food vendors, and 10 student performances, creating an immersive cultural experience for attendees. Hands-on activities included face painting, animal balloons, Chinese calligraphy, dumpling making, mooncake crafting, chopstick challenges, shuttlecock kicking, beanbag tossing, and more.

A key highlight of the event was the strong participation from secondary schools. Out of the 32 activity booths, 10 were hosted by students from Bogle Junior High School, and 2 booths were organized by students from Hamilton High School, representing both the Chinese Culture Club and the Chinese Honor Society. In addition to hosting booths, students from both schools volunteered extensively throughout the evening to support event operations and assist younger students.

For many of these secondary students, the event became a meaningful homecoming. Numerous volunteers are alumni of Tarwater’s Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program, returning to give back to the school community where their Mandarin learning journey began. Their involvement offered a powerful illustration of sustained student connection and long-term program impact.

All performances during the celebration were student-led and student-run. The program opened with an energetic dragon dance performed by Tarwater sixth graders, followed by a wide range of acts including Chinese dance, songs, kung fu, band performances, a fashion show, and K-pop. The event concluded with a heartfelt performance by second-grade students singing “Mom and Dad, Thank You,” a moment that visibly moved many audience members.

City of Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke attended the celebration as the keynote guest, recognizing Tarwater Elementary’s commitment to cultural education, student leadership, and community partnership.

This Lunar New Year celebration stands as a strong example of a Pre-K–12, 13-year continuum of student engagement, demonstrating how early dual language immersion can grow into sustained academic, cultural, and leadership opportunities. The collaboration across elementary, junior high, and high school levels highlights a scalable model for long-term student success within Chandler Unified School District.