February 2006

National Freedom Day This day commemorates the signing of the Thirteenth Amendment which abolished slavery in 1865. Presidential proclamation established the date in 1949.

Parent Council meeting, Abington Junior High School, 7:30 p.m.

Groundhog Day Legend says that the groundhog will emerge from his borrow on this day to look for his shadow. If he sees it, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, spring is just around the corner. Visit www.groundhog.org for entertaining history and Pennsylvania (Punxsutawney) event information.

Abraham Lincoln's Birthday The sixteenth president of the United States, Lincoln served as President from 1861 until he was assassinated in 1865. His birthday, actually February 12, is observed on the third Monday in February as President's Day (see February 16). He is best remembered for the Emancipation Proclamation in which he declared freedom for all slaves in the area of the Confederacy not under Union control and his Gettysburg Address which dedicated the battlefield to the soldiers who had perished there and called on the living to finish the task that the dead soldiers had begun.

Lantern Festival This is the last day of the Chinese New Year when the full moon occurs. A lantern festival takes place at night with both lantern displays and parades of children carrying lanterns.

Copper Beech Elementary School PTA meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Open House at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology, 3075 Terwood Road, Willow Grove Details at “Keeping Current/Tips”

St. Valentine's Day An occasion to celebrate love and exchange greetings and gifts. Read more at www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/history.html

Abington Board of School Directors meeting, 7:30 p.m., School District Administration Building, 970 Highland Ave., Abington

Tu B’Shvat is the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shvat is, also known as the New Year for Trees. "Tu" is the number 15 in Hebrew. Tu B'Shevat is the new year for the purpose of calculating the age of trees for tithing. In the Bible, the book of Leviticus 19:23-25 states that fruit from trees may not be eaten during the first three years; the fourth year's fruit is for “G-d,” and after that, one may eat the fruit.

McKinley Elementary School PTO meeting, 9:00 a.m.

Highland Elementary School PTO meeting, 7:30 p.m.

Frederick Douglas Day This African American journalist, who published an antislavery paper called the North Star, was known as a brilliant speaker and leading abolitionist. He fought to end slavery in the United States in the decades leading up to the Civil War He died on this date in 1894. His birth date is unknown.

President's Day This Federal holiday is observed on the third Monday in February. It combines the observance of George Washington's (first President) birthday and Abraham Lincoln's (sixteenth president) birthday.

College Admission Process Parent Seminar 7:00 p.m. Abington Senior High School Details at “Keeping Current/Tips”

Parent Advisory Council for Special Education meeting, 7:30 p.m. Copper Beech Elementary School