 | | | Photos Cathy Dausman
| | | | | | A dragon was unleashed at Glorietta Elementary School, but no one seemed to mind. In fact the dragon, assembled in honor of Chinese New Year, has become a much-anticipated custom among the school's second graders, who construct its body and dance along, and their audience of other students, teachers and parents.
Teachers Erica Eldridge and Terry Schrittwieser say the event, which they think began in 1992, was a way to introduce foreign culture into the social studies curriculum. "Younger students look forward to being in the parade, and the older children always seem excited to come out and cheer on the second graders," says Schrittwieser.
A gong sounds and the dragon, representing wisdom, power and wealth, is unleashed to chase after a "pearl" of wisdom (in this case a pearl-shaped cabbage). Legend has it the longer the dragon, the more good luck it will bring. If that's true, then the Glorietta community will certainly embody "Gung Hay Fat Choy" and have a prosperous and good year.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA