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February birthstone: Amethyst. Flower: Primrose. Astrological Signs: Aquarius January 20 to February 18, Pisces February 19 to March 20.
February is Black History Month. This year’s theme, The quest for black citizenship in the Americas, has unique and special meaning in the wake of Barack Obama being elected as our first Afro-American president and the celebration of the NAACP’s centennial.
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March is Women’s History Month, this year’s theme is: Women taking the lead to save our planet- Rachel Carson- the founder of the contemporary environmental movement is this year’s featured woman.
March is Music in Our Schools Month (Yes, there is such a thing) Public school is where all children should have access to music (and art). This year’s theme is Music! Just Imagine. Check out www.menc.org/events/view/music-in-our-schools-month
March is Irish American Heritage Month: March 17, St. Patrick’s Day
March 2: Dr. Seuss’s Birthday
March 7: Telephone Patentn Granted in 1876 to Alexander Graham Bell
March 8: Barbie’s Birthday (1959) Mardi Gras
March 10: First paper money issued in 1862
March 11- Johnny Appleseed Day Help the Nature Conservancy plant 1 billion trees in the Amazon. Donate one dollar per tree at www.plantabillion.org
March 12: Girl Scout Day founded in1912
March 16- Publication of First Black Newspaper in America Freedom’s Journal, 1827, published Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm. All 103 issues are available at www.wisconsinhistory.org/libraryarchives/aanp/freedom
March 17: St. Patrick Day
March 18: First walk in space 1965
March 20: First day of spring
March 29: Passover begins at sundown, Coca-Cola was invented in 1886
March 30: Alaska Purchased in 1867, Pencil with an eraser patented in1858
March 31: Cesar Chavez Day, First Map of the US Published
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April
April Birthstone: diamond. Flower: sweet pea and daisy. Astrological Signs: Aries March 3rd to 19th, Taurus April 20th to May 20th.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
April 1- April Fool’s Day
April 15- Tax Day
April 22- Earth Day Earth Day is a global holiday celebrated as a day to bring awareness and appreciation for earth and it’s environment.
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May
May Birthstone emerald. Flower: Lilly of the Valley. Astrological Signs: Taurus April 19 to May 2o, and Gemini May 20 to June 21.
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
National Military Appreciation Month
May 5- celebrate Cinco de Mayo
May 12- Mother’s Day
May 22- First Grade Field Trip to Sea World
May 23- Art Fest
Mother’s Day, May 10- The modern Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1912 as a day for each family to honor its Mother.
Memorial Day, May 27- Commemorates US men and women who died while in the military service to their (our) country. No school in honor of Memorial Day.
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June
It is hard to believe that it is June already and summer is upon us. Here are some important dates and events in June.
June Birthstone: Pearl. Flower: Rose. Astrological Signs: Gemini May 21 to June 20, and Cancer June 21 to July 22.
International Men’s Month
Latino Health Awareness Month
June 11- Philippine Independence Day
June 14- Flag Day- Flag Day is an American holiday celebrating and showing respect to our flag and the people who designed it. Our flag represents our independence as Americans and our unity as a nation. It leads our soldiers in battle and many have died protecting it and all that it stands for.
June 21- Father’s Day- Father’s Day is a day to celebrate our dads. It was invented by Sonora Smart Dodd, who was raised by her dad. She thought fathers should be celebrated just as much as mothers. The first Father’s Day was held on June 10, 1910. President Calvin Coolidge declared the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
June 21- First Day of Summer- remember to wear sunscreen and a hat, drink plenty of fluids.
Swine Flu- the best defense is to make sure your child knows to wash his/her hands after going to the bathroom, blowing his/her nose, and before eating. Teaching your child to cover his/her month when he/she coughs or sneezes, along with using a tissue instead of his/her sleeve will also reduce the spread of any disease.
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August
August birthstone: Peridot. Flower: Gladiolus. Astrological signs: Leo August 1 to August 22, Virgo August 23 to September 22.
Important Dates in August!
August 7 Primary Back to School
August 8 Upper Grade Back to School
August 1- MTV Debuted in 1981
2- First Licnoln penny issued in 1909
3- Columbus set sail on his 1st voyage in 1492
4- President Barack Obama’s birthday
5- American Family Day
8- Dollar Day, the US dollar was created in 1785
11- Hulk Hogan’s birthday
12- IBM PC announced 1981
18- Wizard of Oz premiered in 1939
19- Bill Clinton’s birthday, Orville Wright’s birthday
23- First photograph of earth from the moon taken by Lunar Orbiter
in 1966
24- National Peach Pie Day
25- National Banana Split Day
26- Women’s Equality Day, anniversary of woment getting the vote
28- Anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” speech,
1963
30- Mary Shelley’s birthday, author of Frankenstein
** First Tuesday of August National Take Back the Night
* Catfish Month
* Eye Exam and Cataract Awareness Month
* Golf Month
* Immunization Awareness Month
* Inventor’s Month
* Water Quality Month
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September
Happy Birthday National City, September 17, 1887!
September birthstone: Sapphire. Flower: Rose. Astrological signs: Virgo August 23 to September 22, Libra September 23 to October 22.
No School Monday September 2, 2013- Labor Day
Important dates in September:
Mary had a Little Lamb- published September1
Labor Day- September 5
Labor Day- First Monday in September. Labor Day was declared a U.S. national holiday in 1894. It was created by the labor movement and dedicated to the social and economic achievements of the American worker.
Citizenship and Constitution Day- California becomes the 31st state in 1859 September 9
Rosh Hashanah ( begins at sundown) September 17
Remembrance Day 9-11-01- September 11
National Grandparents Day- September
Mexican Independence Day- September 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month (begins September 15 and ends October 15)
Band-Aid invented (1920), Ice-cream cone invented (1903), First U.S. Post Office opened (1789), First Day of Autumn September 22
Mary Poppins debuted (1964)- September 25
Johnny Appleseed’s birthday September 26
First airport opened (1909), Chinese Mid-Autumn festival September 28
Safety pin invented (1849)- September 30
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October
October birthstone: Opal. Flower: Marigold. Astrological Signs: Libra September 24 to October 23, Scorpio October 24 to November 22.
Important dates in October 2012:
- Breast Cancer Awarness Month- early detection is the key to intervention
- Celiac Disease Awarness Month
- Apple Month
- Fire Prevention Month- have a plan to be safe
- German Heritage Month
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Filipino Heritage Month
- First World Series Baseball Game played in 1903
- Halloween October 31- Be safe!
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