Chinese New Year

Students at Foothills Elementary in Riverton, celebrated the Chinese New Year Jan. 23with song, dance, a play and a dragon parade. First and second graders at Foothills Elementary are currently learning Mandarin Chinese as part of a Chinese immersion program. The school has been doing this program for two years and plans on adding one grade each year until the entire school is participating in the program. "It's amazing. They learn so fast. They just grasp the language. And not only are they learning Chinese, but they aren't falling behind on their other learning. It's a great cultural experience," Sydnee Bartlett, a parent of one of the students in the program, said of the dual immersion program. Her daughter, Brynlie, is a second grader and in her second year of studying a second language. Brynlie and her fellow students performed an ancient Chinese legend, 'The Story of Nian,' in English and Mandarin Chinese.