Nowruz at ISSD
The 36th Annual Celebration
Preparations for the Nowruz celebration at ISSD began in late January with students practicing traditional songs and “sorood”. On Sunday, March 3rd, PTA members organized various stations for students to decorate eggs and create their sabzeh. The main event took place on March 10, 2024, at the Lewis Middle School auditorium in the San Carlos area of San Diego. Due to the large turnout of nearly 600 attendees, including parents, grandparents, students, friends, and school staff, a different venue had to be utilized this year.
The celebration commenced with a singing of “Ey Iran” by students and the audience, followed by performances of Alefba, Rashid khan, and Shekoofeh songs by the student chorus. The program also featured captivating folk and traditional dances by students from the Dance Academy, piano recitals, and solo performances. One of the highlights of the evening was the comedy-musical play “Hasani” directed by Ms. Hashemi, showcasing the talent of 18 students. Additionally, honor students and winners of the Reading Olympics were acknowledged and presented with awards. This year, the Nowruz program was dedicated to Mr. Kourosh Taghavi, the school’s music instructor, for his contributions to promoting Persian music and Iranian culture in the community.
A stunning Haft-seen display curated by Mrs. Roya Amini-Khorsandian adorned the stage, with each item traditionally auctioned to raise funds for the school’s financial commitments. Through the Haft-seen auction and silent auction, a total of over $11,500 was raised. The event’s sound was managed by Julius Nemovi of Excellent Entertainment, while videography and photography were handled by Arash Tebbi of Rugger Production, with the video available on the school’s YouTube channel (iranianschoolsd).
