Stratford School Altadena Celebrates MLK Jr., Multicultural Week, and Lunar New Year With Community-Focused Events
Stratford School Altadena students celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and Multicultural Week with a week-long schedule of activities and events that recognized the importance of our shared values of equity and kindness. Students celebrated the life and work of Dr. King through art, writing, and recitation while reflecting on what it means to participate in fulfilling Dr. King’s dream.
During Multicultural Week, an annual event at Stratford, parents visited the preschool, elementary, and middle school classrooms to share their cultures, traditions, and experiences with the students. There were presentations about Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Japan, Mexico, Armenia, and India, to name just a few. The 4th-grade class even enjoyed learning a traditional Afghan folk dance taught by a class mom. Some students came dressed in colorful cultural attire, and families brought culturally significant food to share during a school-wide multicultural food-sampling event. Teachers in all grades incorporated multicultural education lessons into their classes. It was an incredible celebration of diversity, family, and community, all of which are essential to Stratford’s core values.
In keeping with the multicultural message and in honor of the Mandarin Bilingual and Mandarin specialty language programs offered, Stratford Altadena will host several events to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year, kicking off on February 17. Students and staff are excited to resume this annual celebration after canceling it last year due to the fire. During this year of the horse, students will experience the traditional lion/dragon dance with a professional troupe from the Chinese community. Students will also experience a ceremonial tea dance called Kung Fu Tea, a traditional Chinese art form from the Sichuan province that combines martial arts, acrobatics, and tea preparation. Other activities include making lanterns and red envelopes, storytelling, and creating Chinese sugar art for its symbolic representation of luck, prosperity, and a “sweet” year ahead.
Stratford School is known for its advanced academic programs, but that is just one part of its story. Stratford Altadena balances academics with character development, social-emotional learning, and community, both within the school and in the larger Altadena community and beyond. Through this emphasis on community, students develop empathy, communication skills, and a strong sense of responsibility, preparing them to build meaningful relationships and make positive contributions wherever they go.
Parents are invited to tour Stratford School Altadena. To schedule a personalized tour or speak with a representative, contact the Director of Admissions, Katya Maillette, at kmaillette@stratfordschools.com or call 626-794-1000. Now enrolling Early Preschool (age 2) through Grade 8, with a special Mandarin Bilingual Program for PS/PK/KG. Visit StratfordSchools.com/Altadena to learn more.
