The Cupertino Courier

Education

Children have a party to honor 50 years at Nimitz

By Erin Hussey

The students, teachers and community at Nimitz Elementary School in Sunnyvale observed the school's 50th birthday on Oct. 19 and learned about the school's namesake, Adm. Chester William Nimitz.

The students also played games that taught them about how birthdays are celebrated in other cultures.

At the Japanese booth, Joan Kawabata showed the students a birthday game that involved keeping a small paper ball in the air by hitting it.

"I never thought this would be so popular," said Kawabata.

Other birthday traditions that were represented included Korean, Bulgarian, Hispanic, Indian and British.

The students bounced from pinning the eye on the dolphin and musical chairs to having their fortunes read.

At the Jewish booth, students raced to see who could put their "tail" (a marker tied to a string attached to their waist) into a milk jug first.

"No hands, no hands," instructed Zechavit Wolf, as the students squatted down, trying to wiggle their waists in the right direction.

Across the room, Vanya Boyn was explaining how children in Bulgaria also celebrate their name days. A name day coincides with the day of a saint after whom a person is named.

"On your name day, everyone comes to your house uninvited, and if they catch you at school, they will probably pour water on you, so you have to be prepared," she said.

While some parents now opt to hold birthday parties outside of their homes, the Nimitz celebration was proof that a more traditional game-driven celebration can be just as fun.

"It's hard to do birthday parties at home," said Wolf. "But these games are original and even fun for adults."