Issue #6: May 2026
Read the Chinese version here.
Upcoming Events:
June is Celebration Month. The school hosts events and activities to help students understand the beauty of celebration.
June 19, 2026: Graduation Day
Report cards distributed.
Virtues of the Month: Truthfulness, Compassion, & Forbearance
May was Falun Dafa Month. During our virtue class, each student came to the front to share a story about something they have done that follows the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, or something they plan to do that reflects these principles.
In preparation for the May 13th parade in Manhattan, we also discussed how we can introduce Dafa to others. I’m confident that our students could use what they learned if asked by one of the many curious onlookers.
I also shared my personal experience of how I obtained the Fa. I then asked the students to go home and learn about how their parents or family members obtained the Fa, so they could better understand the real benefits of Dafa through the true stories of people around them.
Falun Dafa is at the heart of our school community. Our faith in its principles, Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, is the seed we cultivate with our students. We hope our students bloom like the lotus. No matter what challenges they face, they stay true, kind, and resilient.
—Charlene Xu, Gr. 2 & 3, Homeroom Teacher
Hudson Valley Asian Festival
In May, the Little Lotus Academy Children’s Choir proudly performed at the first annual Hudson Valley Asian Festival at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, New York. The students presented two selections twice, “Coffee Canon” and “Ode to Joy.” The outdoor venue was very well-attended on a busy Saturday afternoon.
“Coffee Canon” is a fun musical round. “Ode to Joy” is a beloved melody from the final movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. We performed both songs twice. “Ode to Joy” was sung in three languages: English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. The song shares a beautiful message of peace and unity.
Beyond their own performance, the children had a wonderful time enjoying the festival’s many performances and activities celebrating AAPI Heritage Month. Students watched lively Tai drumming, dance performances, and erhu and pipa solos, explored the various booths, and shared a fun day with friends and family. We are very proud of our students’ performances and continued musical growth.
Little Lotus also had an information booth at the event. Attendees were interested in our Summer School program, and we even received greatly appreciated donations. We thank the teachers and parents in attendance!
—Andy Wang, Guest Choir Conductor
World Falun Dafa Day Parade in Manhattan
On May 13, Little Lotus Academy’s staff, students, and their parents participated in the grand annual World Falun Dafa Day Parade held in New York City. The parade showcased the beauty of Falun Dafa and its teachings of Truthfulness - Compassion - Tolerance, celebrated traditional values and culture, and clarified the truth about the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China to those observing.
The parade lasted approximately four hours due to the thousands of practitioners from different cities participating. It crossed Midtown Manhattan from East to West, from Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, and ended on 11th Avenue, close to the Chinese Consulate.
Some students have been participating in this parade since they were very young. Andy, a second grader, started participating when he was 4.5 years old. In previous years, he would walk halfway as he was too tired to continue. This year, he is 7.5 years old, and he helped his mom hold the banner. Although he felt pain in his left leg, he did not say anything and continued until the end of the parade. He felt he was able to accomplish forbearance.
George, another second grader, did not realize the parade was so long and kept asking his mom if they were close to the end. He started to feel hungry. The aunties encouraged him to keep walking. Their kind words made him feel stronger, and he kept going. They even shared a boiled egg with him. They realized everyone is supporting each other and trying their best together. He was proud to finish the parade to the end.
Lingxi, a third grader, did not have breakfast. At the parade, she felt really hungry and tired, and her hands hurt. Despite everything, she finished the parade because she felt Master was beside her.
Nathan, a fourth grader, has also participated with his family since he was young. This year he was at the end with his mom and baby brother, who was in the stroller. Nathan’s knees felt sore, but he was able to finish the parade. He waved at the spectators and hoped they could learn about the persecution of Falun Dafa disciples in China. He felt his energy strengthened.
—Elizabeth Chung, English Teacher
Gan Jing World Movie Night
This month, our school participated in the Ganjing World Movie Night in Middletown, New York, for the first young-audience premiere of an original movie. We participated in both to support the promotion of this new digital platform and of our school. We prepared a table with fun games that attracted the attention of students and parents alike.
Ganjing World is an ‘All New Digital Platform’ that rivals YouTube and other popular media sites. From their mission statement, they are “revitalizing traditional connections—fostering a culture of care, kindness, mutual respect, and trust among individuals, within families, and throughout society.” This platform also boasts a non-addictive algorithm and does not track users or sell their personal information. We consider this platform safe to use in the classroom. For these reasons, we were happy to support them. If you would like to watch the family-friendly film that premiered on this day, you may find it here.
Throughout the event, the atmosphere was friendly, inviting, and orderly. Many tables with various fun activities surrounded the seats arranged to face the giant screen. There was also an impressive display of finger foods, drinks, and desserts for sale. The games at our table were simple, yet fun and engaging. We were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by students of all ages, even though our games were intended for elementary-age children. At times, our table was so crowded that a waiting line formed. We had an inviting and friendly energy, which led to some parent inquiries about our school. Overall, we had a very enjoyable time.
—Virginia Blanco, English Coordinator
Fahui: Students, Teachers, and Parents Express Gratitude to Master
On May 24, Little Lotus Academy held its annual Cultivation Experience Sharing Conference in the school gymnasium. For the first time, the event was open to the local Falun Dafa community and was scheduled for the weekend to accommodate more parents and young practitioners. During the conference, 27 Falun Dafa practitioners, including students, teachers, and parents, shared their experiences.
May is Falun Dafa Month at Little Lotus. Everyone hoped to use this auspicious time to express their gratitude to Master, learn from one another through sharing, and strive even harder in their cultivation so as not to disappoint Master’s compassionate salvation. The opening address read:
As the universe faces destruction,
Witnessing sentient beings on the brink of extinction,
All celestial rulers weep in sorrow.
Beyond the celestial dome, a thunderous cry,
“Who will follow me to descend into the world and save sentient beings?”
We made a sacred vow with the Supreme Buddha,
And came to this world of ten evils.
Through the vicissitudes of time,
We have lost our way in the tumult of worldly life.
It is You, the Supreme Buddha,
Who have watched over us through countless lifetimes,
Awakening us time and again,
lest we sink into ruin.
Tormented by upheaval,
The Red Devil’s lies howl like wolves;
We are sorrowful,
We are despairing.
With defiled hearts, weighed-down bodies, and order in chaos,
As things decay and the air grows foul, calamity looms.
Supreme Buddha, You did not delay,
You presented the Celestial Scripture to us.
We awoke as if from a dream,
Our long-awaited hope has finally arrived.
Studying the Fa, spreading the Fa, practicing the exercises, we advance with unwavering diligence.
The Red Demon rages,
Sentient beings suffer,
Yet we press forward courageously,
Sacrificing life and forgetting death to fulfill our vow of salvation.
The rectification of the Fa in the human realm is imminent.
Our vows have brought us together,
Teachers, students, and parents, though our roles differ,
We jointly pioneer a new path of education,
Cultivating the future guides of humanity.
We cooperate, complement, and harmonize with one another,
Reminding and encouraging each other,
Advancing together on the path of the Divine.
The address reminded everyone of their life’s purpose; many fellow practitioners and their family members shed tears of deep admiration. The Fa conference lasted a full two and a half hours. The young disciples performed exceptionally well, and everyone listened intently until the very end, then left the venue reluctantly.
—Sophie Liu, Principal
Parents and Teachers Barbecue
On Monday, May 25, 2026, teachers, students, and parents from Little Lotus Academy held an outdoor barbecue party at Fancher-Davidge Park. After several days of rainy weather, and even a drizzle that morning, the rain stopped, and the temperature gradually rose. The party began at 12:15 p.m. Every family brought carefully prepared food to share, including beef skewers, lamb skewers, various homemade grilled skewers, roast duck, pork chops, pig’s ears, chicken wings, cold jelly, homemade cakes, as well as a variety of fruit and beverages. Several students’ fathers took charge of the on-site grilling, and the children were so excited when the food came off the grill that they could hardly wait.
After everyone had eaten their fill, some took a stroll around the lake or went to the playground. Some even found time to do some Falun Gong exercises under the nice shade. Most boys took to the court, and a fierce basketball game was underway on the park’s court. Ms. Liu served as both scorekeeper and timekeeper. One team consisted of two parents and students, while the other consisted of two young teachers and their students. The game was exceptionally intense, with the score seesawing back and forth; in the end, the parents’ team won by a very narrow margin.
Under the park pavilion, some teachers and parents gathered around a picnic table to discuss the various challenges and achievements encountered in the operation of Little Lotus. Every parent actively shared their thoughts and suggestions. With plenty of time throughout the afternoon and the relaxed atmosphere of the barbecue, the discussion was very in-depth! Principal Ms. Sophie Liu listened attentively to the ideas of every teacher and parent.
The party didn’t wrap up until late afternoon. Over the course of the afternoon, teachers, students, and parents deepened their understanding of one another and strengthened their bonds.
—Simon Dong, Parents Club Volunteer Coordinator
Space Farms Field Trip
On the last Friday of May, our students boarded the yellow school bus and headed to Space Farms Zoo and Museum in Sussex, New Jersey. After 45 minutes, two lion statues greeted us at the entrance, and children happily climbed on them while waiting for tickets. Inside, a Syrian Grizzly Bear welcomed us, setting the stage for an exciting day of exploration.
The family-run farm is a one-hundred-acre complex. As we continued down Sunrise Trail, we visited the peacocks, rabbits, tigers, lions, and sika deer. The students loved watching the various animals in the natural environment that the establishment had created. Even our kindergarteners put their reading skills to the test by reading signs with animal names and facts.
After an hour and a half of exploring, we saw farm animals such as goats, donkeys, sheep, and pigs. We also saw fallow deer, wolves, and elk. The exotic animals included the jaguar, leopard, and llamas. As an Australian native, my favorites were, of course, the kangaroos, emus, and the cockatoo, who said hello to one of our preschoolers. One lovely surprise was seeing a baby ringtail lemur clinging tightly to its mother’s back.
The highlight of the visit was the feeding show. While feeding the big cats, the fourth-generation zookeeper spoke about the jaguar, leopard, tigers, lions, and mountain lions. The students truly enjoyed learning about the different animals.
After watching the animals have their lunch, it was time to have ours. We devoured our tasty ham-and-mayo croissant sandwiches, which our teachers made. Our principal also sliced up two watermelons for everyone to enjoy. After eating, some students went to the playground, while others continued exploring the museums. There were antique cars, tractors, wagons, toys, and even a piano. Our talented students even took turns playing melodies. In the main museum building, students viewed the Revolutionary and Civil War weaponry and taxidermied animals.
At the end of our visit, the exhausted zoo-goers climbed back onto the bus and headed back to school. The day was genuinely full of educational fun.
—Braz Chau, ESL Coordinator
Toddler Dafa Exercises
Pre-Kindergarten students’ practice sessions are relatively short, and most complete their daily exercises. They encourage one another to learn and improve together. For example, the second set of exercises requires “holding the wheel” pose for a slightly longer period, so the children often encourage each other to see who can hold the pose the longest. The older children even help their classmates correct their posture, creating a positive energy throughout the practice.
—Ling Wu, Pre-K Teacher
This newsletter was put together by the LLA teachers.
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