Hello Magnolia Families!

Can you believe we’re almost to April? This month has flown by! We’d like to highlight our very special celebration of Nowruz in this month’s bi-weekly blog. Each year, Mitra shares her culture’s customs and traditions with us and there’s always something new to learn. In fact, did you know that the Wednesday before Nowruz is called “Charshanbe Suri”? On this day, people participate in jumping over small bonfires to symbolize the act of letting go. While we won’t be jumping over any *real* bonfires in Magnolia, we will certainly practice with some cardboard logs and orange scarves next week.

We hope you enjoy the blog, and want to share an update about our blog practices. I’ve created a google photo album which will make sharing higher quality and shareable images/videos MUCH easier!! Yay! We understand that the blog’s photos do not translate in higher resolution, and in order to upload any video- wordpress makes it HARD. They have to be edited in another program then hosted by vimeo. We will continue to feature classroom photos, birthday circles and video compilations here, but have a specific “Magnolia Family Fridays” google photo folder. I (Emily) create these blogs solo, so there may be a time when something doesn’t make it in! You’re always welcome to gently let me know and i’ll do my best to remedy. Thank you all!

Nowruz

We welcomed Spring with a very special visit from Kaveh, a former ECC student who is currently in the 8th grade at the TBS University Avenue Campus. He brought a Tombak (Persian drum) and played some beautiful rhythms for the children. Nova’s mom Laura joined us to also share about traditional foods eaten during Nowruz. We followed our dance party with a delicious spread of traditional Iranian foods as well as some snacktime classics to enjoy. Thank you Mitra for your beautiful and insightful presentation this morning!

Mitra set up a beautiful presentation for Magnolia friends called a Sofreh Haft Seen. Included in the Haft Seen are these 7 “s” objects and ingredients:

1. Somagh (sumac) : symbolizes the color of sunrise
2. Serkeh (vinegar): symbolizes age and patience
3. Senjed (dried fruit from lotus tree): symbolizes love
4. Samanoo (sweet pudding): symbolizes affluence
5. Sabzeh (sprouts): symbolizes rebirth
6. Sib (apple): symbolizes health and beauty
7. Sir (garlic): symbolizes medicine

Holi

Not only did we have a special Nowruz celebration- we also observed Holi! Holi is another holiday that celebrates the arrival of Spring. People in India and around the world celebrate the Hindu festival by throwing colorful water and pigmented powders on one another in joyous celebration, and enjoy delicious treats in community with others. Check out the link to see photos from Selah’s mom’s visit!

Around Magnolia

Thank you to visiting artist Salani “Wamkanganise” Matshoba- a celebrated mbira musician, instrument maker, and multi-instrumentalist from Harare, Zimbabwe! He visited the ECC and shared his music with the students and teachers last week. We met itl’s friend harry the hound dog and made a snack with a hundred pieces to share! We explored making art with our names, noticed sparkling four leaf clovers for St. Patricks Day, and enjoyed all kinds of art projects and play.

♥Emily.Mitra.Darius