A World of New Years: Lower School Students Embark on a "Global Trip"
January 22, 2026
What began as a curious second-grader’s question to Amanda Muse Neuhoff Lower School Chaplain Toni Luc—“Why are there so many New Years?”—has blossomed into a vibrant, inaugural celebration of community and culture at The Episcopal School of Dallas. This month, the third-floor bridge of the Lower School has been transformed into a bustling “cultural museum” for the Our Passport to New Years exhibit.
Chaplain Luc, Global Competency Chair Elizabeth Bentrup, Greene Family Head of Lower School Tracey Shirey, ESD Parents’ Association Episcopal Identity Representative Karen Patel, faculty, staff, and several ESD families created a beautiful partnership to curate teaching tables that have brought global traditions to life. From the rhythmic sounds of the Jewish Shofar and the bright red envelopes of the Chinese New Year to the intricate Survachka sticks of Bulgaria and the festive traditions of Diwali, the bridge has become a sensory classroom.
An Interactive Journey
The exhibit is designed to be a self-guided, interactive learning experience. Students are exploring vibrant displays featuring authentic artifacts, traditional dress, and even “fortunes.” To bridge the gap between history and the present day, each table features a QR code. When scanned, short videos of ESD families explaining their specific customs, favorite foods, and cherished memories. Lower School Librarian Megan Barnes was instrumental in creating and making the video library available for all Lower School classrooms.
“It took so much effort and thought to create these tables for us, and I think it is really cool that different families in our school shared their traditions with us,” said one second-grader. Another student added, “I learned that many different people have different ways to celebrate.”
Celebrating Our Tapestry
The exhibit features a diverse array of traditions, including:
- Islamic New Year (White Family)
- Jewish Rosh Hashanah (Ellman Family)
- Japanese New Year (Stone & Ishii Family)
- Chinese New Year (Joe Family)
- Hindu Diwali (Patel Family)
- Lebanese New Year (Fadal Family)
- Cuban New Year (Mestre Family)
- Bulgarian New Year (Roussev Family)
By exploring these varied perspectives, our youngest Eagles are learning to consider different points of view and reflect on the cultural tapestry that makes our community so unique. This inaugural exhibit, which remains open through January 23, has offered a true "trip around the world" without ever leaving the building—proving that at ESD, curiosity truly knows no borders.
