25 Years of Dutch School – A Jubilee Celebration to Experience Together
Celebrating who we are, together
This school year, Dutch School proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary. To mark this special milestone, we did not want to let it pass by quietly.
We celebrated this special jubilee together with everyone who has helped shape Dutch School over the past 25 years: students, parents, teachers, volunteers, partners, and friends. Together, they form a warm and close-knit community centered around the Dutch language and culture.
We kicked off this festive anniversary year with a Sinterklaas and jubilee celebration at the waterfront of The Reef in Long Beach. It was a day filled with reunions, shared memories, laughter, and beloved Dutch traditions.
A magical moment: Sinterklaas arrives by boat
Without a doubt, the highlight of the day was the arrival of Sinterklaas and his Pieten by boat. As families gathered along the waterfront, the boat carrying Sinterklaas and his helpers appeared in the Long Beach harbor.
For many children — and quite a few adults as well — it was a truly magical moment. Smiles, waving hands, applause, and excited faces filled the scene. This traditional arrival by water instantly brought that unmistakable Sinterklaas feeling to life and set the tone for a very special celebration.
It was a moment that perfectly captured what Dutch School stands for: keeping traditions alive, even far from the Netherlands, and celebrating them together.
Every child meets Sinterklaas and leaves with a gift
After his festive arrival, Sinterklaas took plenty of time for the children. Every child had the chance to visit Sinterklaas personally, share a short moment, and pose for photos.
No child went home empty-handed — each child received a small gift, a tangible reminder of this joyful Sinterklaas celebration. The smiles and excitement made it clear how meaningful these moments were for the children and their families.
All-day fun for children
Throughout the day, children could enjoy ongoing activities, allowing everyone to participate at their own pace. There was no fixed schedule — just space to play, create, and enjoy.
Activities included:
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creative craft stations
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classic cookie-eating games (koekhappen)
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shuffleboard (sjoelen), always a favorite for all ages
In addition, traditional Dutch treats were available all day long. Children and parents alike enjoyed pepernoten, speculaas cookies, and taaitaai figures, adding to the familiar and cozy Sinterklaas atmosphere.
Eating, talking, and connecting
Between activities, there was plenty of time to connect. With pea soup and sandwiches in hand, conversations naturally flowed. Parents caught up, former board members shared memories, and new families immediately felt at home.
People gathered informally — standing, sitting, walking around — exactly the kind of relaxed setting that encourages genuine connection and community.
Words from the heart and music throughout the day
At various moments during the celebration, several people shared a few heartfelt words. These were not long speeches, but personal reflections about the early days of Dutch School, what the school has meant to them, and why this community continues to be so special.
The Belgian DJ provided music throughout the day, perfectly matching the atmosphere: festive, relaxed, and welcoming.
A lasting keepsake: the anniversary tile
A 25-year anniversary deserves a meaningful keepsake — something tangible that will still tell its story years from now. That is why we created a special anniversary tile featuring the Dutch School logo.
This unique tile was designed and produced in collaboration with The Dutch Tile Project, a partner we have worked with for many years. In the past, they generously contributed beautiful tiles for our raffles and silent auctions. Having them create this special tile for our anniversary made it even more meaningful.
The tile symbolizes everything Dutch School represents: connection, tradition, and Dutch culture — even far from home.
Interested in ordering an anniversary tile?
The anniversary tile is available as a keepsake for $25.
📧 Please email info@dutchschool.org to order.
With special thanks to our guests and partners
We were honored to welcome a number of special guests whose presence added extra meaning to our 25th anniversary celebration. Among them were Kimberly Beijersbergen from the Dutch Consulate SF, Henk Hanselaar, Dutch Honorary Consul in San Diego, and Sophie Hottat from the Consulate General of Belgium.
We were also grateful for the involvement of representatives from Dutch and international organizations, including Betty Batenburg, Johanna Hof, Annemarie Mooiweer, and Tony Verhallen from NESSO, Pim Schimmel from the Netherlands Business Support Office, Jonneke van Staveren from the San Diego Business Club, and Marcel van Zweeden, Chairman of the Netherlands America Foundation.
In addition, we would like to warmly thank the Holland International Market for once again providing the traditional Dutch treats. Their continued support helps bring familiar flavors and a true sense of home to our celebrations year after year.
Their combined presence and support beautifully reflected the strong network and community that surrounds Dutch School and has helped sustain it for the past 25 years.
A celebration carried by our community
What made this Sinterklaas and jubilee celebration truly special was not just the program, but the people. Founders, first teachers, former and current board members, volunteers, partners, longtime families, and new students all came together.
Seeing different generations connect and share memories was a powerful reminder of the strong foundation Dutch School has built over the past 25 years.
Looking back with gratitude, moving forward with confidence
This jubilee celebration was a moment to reflect on everything that has been built — and to look ahead with confidence. Over 25 years, Dutch School has grown from a local initiative into an organization with multiple physical locations and online classes reaching families worldwide.
With the same dedication, passion, and sense of community, we continue to build the future of Dutch language and culture together.
💙🧡 Together, we have been Dutch School for 25 years — and together we move forward into the next 25 years.
