Barnard Asian Pacific Language Academy, previously located in Point Loma, will celebrate the Lunar New Year at its brand-new location in Pacific Beach. The communitywide event will bring together Asian communities throughout San Diego to celebrate the Year of the Horse.
In addition to offering a Chinese language program, Barnard has expanded to offer other Pacific Rim languages, including Korean and Japanese. The school is holding two events to celebrate the Lunar New Year; one on Jan. 29 for local dignitaries and another on Feb. 1, which is open to the public. Invited guests include interim Mayor Todd Gloria and San Diego Unified School District board members Richard Barrera, Scott Barnett and Marne Foster, among others. Barnard’s sixth annual event will include Chinese musical performances, traditional lion dances, martial arts demonstrations and performances by Barnard’s students. School principal Eddie Park said he is very excited about the upcoming event that, when it started in 2008, attracted about 80 people. Every year since, he said, the celebration has expanded and this year, the school expects between 500 and 600 people to attend from all over San Diego County. “This year’s celebration is important because we have a new location,” Park said. “We shut down our facility in Point Loma to extend our program and offer more opportunities for students when moving to the Mission Bay Cluster. With the new location, it’s definitely a celebration and the buzz is even greater.”
Park expressed the importance of bridging the gap between Asian communities in San Diego and for students to see the ways that different communities celebrate.
“What we typically do on the Lunar New Year is celebrate our ancestors and the traditions that take place, whether it’s a bowing ceremony, special type of food or ancient instrument,” Park said. “It’s really important for our students to be introduced to a culture they may not be accustomed to. For them to appreciate the rich culture is a fantastic opportunity.” The public school has a vision for students to successfully use their knowledge of diverse cultures and apply that knowledge to become responsible global citizens. “Barnard is truly following this vision to create a quality school accessible to anyone and accentuate on the diverse culture that is present in San Diego County,” said Park. The first event will be held on Jan. 29 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and is open to local dignitaries, as well as parents and school board members. The second event will be held on Feb. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to the public. The school is located at 2445 Fogg St. in Pacific Beach. For more information on the event, visit www.barnardelementary.com or call (858) 800-5700.