February           

Celebrate Black History Month

Lent - Prepare & Repent

There are so many notable figures from every area--government, religion, science, literature, music, sports, etc. They have made quite substantial contributions over the course of history. Here are just a few of them: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Nelson Mandela, Sojournor Truth, Nat Turner, Maya Angelou, Booker T. Washington, Louis Armstrong, Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Sammy Davis Jr.

More: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhm1.html

The idea for an observance honoring the accomplishments of African Americans led to the establishment of Negro History Week in 1926. It was proposed by Carter G. Woodson, a black historian known as the Father of Black History, and others. The observance became known as Black History Week during the early 1970's and was established as Black History Month in 1976.

The celebration is sponsored by the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History in Washington, DC, which Woodson founded in 1915.

Today, this national and international observance has been expanded to encompass the entire month of February. The expansion, of course, has increased the number of days for celebration, but its strength and importance lie in the new meaning that has emerged.  In North America, a variety of programs - including lectures, exhibitions, banquets and a host of cultural activities are presented throughout the month of February to commemorate the occasion.

Fighting in the Civil War:
The 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was the first black regiment to be recruited in the North.  Responding to pressure from black and white abolitionists, President Lincoln admitted black soldiers into the Union forces in 1863.

Robert Gould Shaw, a young white officer from a prominent Boston family, volunteered for its command. The 54th Regiment trained in Readville (in the present day Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston).

On July 18, 1863, the 54th Regiment became famous for leading an assault on Fort Wagner as part of operations to capture the Confederate city of Charleston, South Carolina. In the hard-fought battle Shaw and many members of the regiment were killed.

Activity:
Hold a contest and challenge the students to find  where the photographic reproduction of the 54th's saved national flag is on display. Draw a reproduction of it and display. Next, find where the  bronze memorial to Colonel Shaw and the 54th Regiment was erected. Research who funded it, who sculpted it, and when it was dedicated - where and who attended. Who is listed on the monument? Announce the winners over the PA and display both at a general assembly commemorating Black History Month.

Other Activities:
Give each class an area of history to research notable African Americans--Civil Rights, Government & Politics, Religion, Music, Sports, Dance, Literature, Science, Education, etc. The students find out the people involved and their contributions. Each class creates a presentation to give at a general assembly. Encourage the use of posters, props, skits and costumes.
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Shrove Tuesday
International Pancake Day

Also known as "Fat Tuesday" or "Mardi Gras," Shrove Tuesday is basically the day of preparation for Lent. The name "shrove" is rumored to derive from the word "shrive" or confess. It takes place on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent).

    The tradition in the church of having pancake suppers and the secular tradition of just plain partying probably derives from the practice of feasting before the fast.

The English term "shrovetide" (from "to shrive", or hear confessions) is sufficiently explained by a sentence in the Anglo-Saxon "Ecclesiastical Institutes" translated from Theodulphus by Abbot Aelfric (q.v.) about A.D. 1000: "In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then my hear by his deeds what he is to do [in the way of penance]".

   The English custom of eating pancakes was undoubtedly suggested by the need of using up the eggs and fat which were, originally at least, prohibited articles of diet during the forty days of Lent. The same prohibition is, of course, mainly responsible for the association of eggs with the Easter festival at the other end of Lent.

From the Catholic Encyclopedia, copyright © 1913 by the Encyclopedia Press, Inc. Electronic version copyright © 1997 by New Advent, Inc.

Shrove Tuesday Ideas:

Pancake Breakfast:

On the day of Shrovetide or the preceding weekend, hold a pancake breakfast for all students, parents and members of the parish. Have parents make pancakes, charge for the meal and raise money to donate to a local charity like an orphanage or homeless shelter. Try the recipes below!

Shrovetide Reflections:

Cut out pieces of construction paper and decorate like pancakes. Pass one out to each student. The students then write their Lenten sacrifices or promises on the pancake. Collect and display in the main hallway at school.

Oatmeal Apple Pancakes

Ingredients: (for 1 2/3 inch pancakes)
1 cup oatmeal
2 cup buttermilk, or sour milk (1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
2 eggs
2 tablespoon oil
2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup flour
1 apple, chopped into small pieces
1 teaspoon cinnamon, if desired

Directions:
-  Place the oatmeal and buttermilk together in a large bowl. Allow to soak for a few minutes.
-  Add the egg and oil, and cinnamon if using. Stir well.
-  Add the flour, salt and baking soda and stir until well blended.
-  Heat a heavy frying pan. Grease lightly with oil.
-  Pour about 1/3 cup batter into the pan with a small measuring cup. Bake the pancake until bubbles break on the surface, flip quickly and bake the other side.
-  Make sure the pancakes are baked through.
-  Keep the pancakes warm in a warm oven until all are done.
-  Serve hot.

Potato Pancakes

Crisp and brown, these are great with sour cream or yogurt, bacon and applesauce. This year, I'm going to try cooking them in the waffle iron.

Ingredients: (for nine 3 1/2 inch pancakes)
3 medium potatoes
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon cream
1 egg, beaten
salt
4 tablespoons bacon fat or oil

Directions:
-  Wash and grate the potatoes.
-  Place the potatoes on a double thickness of paper towels, fold the towels around them and twist and squeeze until most of the moisture is removed.
-  Unwrap the potatoes and dump them in a bowl.
-  Add the flour, cream, egg, and salt and toss until mixed.
-  Heat the fat or oil in a skillet.
-  Put about 2 tablespoons of the potato mixture in the pan.
-  Press and shape the pancakes into a flat 3 1/2 inch cake. Repeat until pan is full but not crowded.
-  Cook each pancake about 5 minutes over medium low heat until the bottom is crisp and brown.
-  Turn and cook the other side for 5 minutes more.
-  Keep warm in a 300* oven until all are ready. Serve.

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Lent is a forty-day period before Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday. We skip Sundays when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the Resurrection. Lent begins on 25 February 2004 and ends on 10 April 2004.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Lent officially ends at sundown on 8 April (Holy Thursday), with the beginning of the mass of the Lord’s Supper.

Colors:

In most churches, the decorations are purple or blue, royal colors to prepare for the King. You can read more about color in worship

Special Days:

Ash Wednesday, 25 February 2004
The Annunciation, 25 March 2004

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. Lent has been observed in the church since apostolic times.

You can read about fasting, which is a spiritual discipline that does not involve starvation or dehydration.

You can find out about Lenten fasting during medieval times. The link even includes a very interesting recipe.

Special Days
The purpose of the liturgical calendar is to relive the major events in Jesus’ life in real time, which is why Lent is forty days long. If Jesus were born on 25 December, then His conception would have been nine months earlier, on about 25 March. That is when the angel Gabriel would have announced Jesus’ birth to Mary. Thus 25 March is known in the historic church as The Annunciation.
Information taken from www.kencollins.com

Frequently asked questions about Lent:
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/lent/faqs.asp

Activities for Lent:
Here are activities that will build school spirit, show charity and build community togetherness:

Living Rosary:
Each grade is given a different mystery to research, discuss and write a reflection. The students create a human rosary in the Church or playground and when each mystery starts, the class reads their reflection aloud. You can give a few classes the same mystery.

Modern Stations of the Cross:
Every student rewrites the Stations of the Cross and explains how each Station pertains to their life. Students can illustrate each Station using pictures and drawings. They can be displayed in the Church or Hall for the community to enjoy and reflect on the meaning of Lent.

More Lenten activities:
http://www.catholicmom.com/kids_lent_activities.htm
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Need a reason to celebrate? 
Well, here are some interesting,
yet not so well-known holidays! 

February 1 is . . . . . Serpent Day
       Use some information about Serpents during morning assembly.
February 2 is . . . . . Purification Day
       Purification can come in many different varieties, the importance of water purification processes, baptism is a form of purification, too!
February 4 is . . . . . Create A Vacuum Day
       Do just that.. have your science classes get in on this one!
February 5 is . . . . . Disaster Day
       Use this holiday to educate your school about disaster preparedness.  In California, go over Earthquake Kits and drills.
February 7 is . . . . . Charles Dickens Day
       Have the 8th grade Literature classes recite either works from Charles Dickens' works or poems.  Showcase talent at an assembly.
February 8 is . . . . . Kite Flying Day
       Let's hope the weather holds out for you
on this day!
February 9 is . . . . . Toothache Day
       Have local Dentists visit your school to talk about the importance of dental care and hand out free toothbrushes!!
February 10 is . . . . Umbrella Day
       Have the students bring in their favorite umbrellas and have a fashion show at lunch!  The PK - 3 grades read "Cloudy with a Chance of Meat Balls." Have the 7th & 8th grades act out the story.
February 11 is . . . . White Tee-Shirt Day
       Ok, Principals--not a Free Dress day, just half Free Dress Day. 
February 12 is . . . . National Plum Pudding Day
       Have Room Parents get involved on this one.  Either come prepared with Plum Pudding to share at Recess or Lunch, or make Plum Pudding during the day!  Leftovers go in the teacher's lounge!
February 13 is . . . . Get A Different Name Day
       It's not April Fool's Day, but you can fool the students by changing their teachers for a day! 
February 14 is . . . . Valentine's Day
       Sweets for the sweet!
February 15 is . . . . National Gum Drop Day
       Need we say more... enjoy the gum drops at the end of the day!
February 18 is . . . . National Battery Day
       Ever wondered how batteries work?  Have the upper grades and science classes put battery operated gadgets to the test.  Either create your own batteries and have the lower grades visit their projects in the gym, or bring in battery operated toys and race at lunch!
February 19 is . . . . National Chocolate Mint Day
       Everyone could use a little chocolate mint on their pillow.... or in this case on their desk!
February 22 is . . . . Be Humble Day
       This is would be a great day for students to learn just what humble means.  Utilize the religion teachers in creating the importance of humility in their daily lives.
February 24 is . . . . National Tortilla Chip Day
       Chips and salsa... mmm mmm.  As a student council offer chips and salsa at lunch for students who have brought up their grades, or have no conduct demerits, or who have perfect attendance.
February 26 is . . . . National Pistachio Day
       Pistachios are delicious!  Enjoy them on this day.
February 28 is . . . . Public Sleeping Day
       We don't want students falling asleep in class, but sleep is a very important thing.  Have local doctors come to talk about the importance of consistent good sleep.  What happens when we sleep?  Why do we dream?  These answers and more can be answered with an informational session.
February 29 is . . . . National Surf and Turf Day
       Celebrate fun in the sun, even if it is -20 outside!  Dress in surf wear, watch Lilo and Stitch, and listen to the Beach Boys!

? Did you know that February 2004 has 5 Sundays? 
This is an occurrence that only happens every 28 years: 1920, 1948, 1976, 2004, 2032, 2060, 2088.
? Did you know that February's flower is the Violet ?
February Monthly Observances:
African American History Month (Black History Month)
American Heart Month
Sponsored by The American Heart Association:  www.americanheart.org
Bird Feeding Month (US National)
Sponsored by the National Bird Feeding Society www.birdfeeding.org
Candy Month
Canned Foods Month
Sponsored by the Canned Food Info Council of America
Children's Dental Health Month (National)
Sponsored by the American Dental Association
Chocolate Month
Library Lovers Month
"Library Lovers' Month is a month-long celebration of school, public, and private libraries of all types. See Web site:  www.librarysupport.net/librarylovers/
Potato Lovers Month
Sponsored by the National Potato Board of America

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Groundhog Day Update....
6 more weeks of Winter!!!!!