February 2010 |
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Black History Month This observance began in 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an African American concerned with the absence of black history in history books, initiated Negro History Week. In 1976, the month-long celebration was established as a time to reflect on the history, teachings, and achievements of African Americans. Read more at www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html |
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National Freedom Day This day commemorates the signing of the Thirteenth Amendment which abolished slavery in 1865. Presidential proclamation established the date in 1949.
Abington Junior High School PTO meeting, Library, 7:30 p.m. |
| 2 |
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. |
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Kindergarten Registration at all Abington School District elementary schools
Parent Council meeting, held at Overlook Elementary School, 7:30 p.m. |
| 5 |
Rock-a-thon, Abington Junior High School, 5:00-11:00 p.m. |
| 8 |
Rydal Elementary School PTO meeting, 9:15 a.m. |
| 9 |
Abington Board of School Directors meeting, 7:30 p.m., School District Administration Building, 970 Highland Ave., Abington Preliminary budget for 2010-11 scheduled for review and adoption. |
| 11 |
McKinley Elementary School PTO meeting, 9:00 a.m.
Overlook Elementary School PTO meeting, 7:00 p.m.
Abington Township Board of Commissioners meeting, Township Building Board Room, 2nd Floor, 1176 Old York Road, Abington, 8:00 p.m. |
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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. |
| 14 |
St. Valentine's Day An occasion to celebrate love and exchange greetings and gifts. Read more at www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/history.html
Lunar New Year The Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese new year are celebrated.
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| 15 |
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. Abington Schools and Township offices are closed.
Clean Monday In the Eastern Christian churches, this day marks the beginning of Great Lent which starts 40
days before Orthodox Easter (Pascha), counting Sundays.
Nirvana Day Buddhists celebrates the day when the historical Buddha achieved Parinirvana, or
complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body. sometimes
celebrated on February 8. |
| 16 |
Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday This is the day to celebrate and feast (on pancakes, doughnuts, and the like) before the Christian church season of Lent begins when Christians are called to fasting
Abington Senior High School PTO meeting, Library, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Abington Parent Seminar, "Completing the College Admission Application," Abington Senior High School Audion, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Parent Advisory Council for Special Education meeting, 7:30 p.m. Copper Beech Elementary School |
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Ash Wednesday This is the first day of Lent, a period of fasting and penitence observed by Christians. Many choose to go to church to have ashes imposed on their forehead in the sign of the cross. This symbolizes that they belong to Jesus who died on a cross and reminds them of their mortality. The ashes come from burning palms from the previous Palm Sunday.
Lent This 40-day period begins in Western Christian churches on Ash Wednesday and ends on April 11, the Saturday before Easter. In the Roman Catholic Church, Lent ends at sundown on April 9, the Thursday before Easter, with the beginning of the Lord's Supper. Sundays are not counted as part of the 40 days because they commemorate the Resurrection. Lent calls Christians to a period of reflection and repentance in preparation for Easter. |
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Willow Hill Elementary School PTO meeting, 9:15 a.m. |
| 19 |
Highland Elementary School PTO meeting, 9:00 a.m. |
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Abington Board of School Directors meeting, 7:30 p.m., School District Administration Building, 970 Highland Ave., Abington |
| 25 |
Roslyn Elementary School Title I meeting, 6:00 p.m.
Roslyn Elementary School PTO meeting, 7:00 p.m. |
| 26 |
Milad Al-Nabi Muslims celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam. Shi’a
Muslims celebrate it five days later than Sunni Muslims. |
| 28 |
Purim The “Feast of Lots” The most festive of Jewish holidays, Purim is a time of prizes, noisemakers, costumes and treats when the Jewish people celebrate a major victory over oppression when they were living in Persia and were saved from extermination. This story is recounted in the Megillah, the scroll of the story of Esther or the Biblical book of Esther. Purim takes place on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar, the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar.
Open House at Eastern Center for Arts & Technology, 1:00-3:30 p.m.
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