Monday, February 29

EVENTFUL: What is Leap Year?


Every four years, the day of February 29th graces our calendars and gives us one extra day to the year. But why does this happen? It takes the Earth 365.25 days to fully orbit the sun. Since it’s difficult to have a one-quarter day, those .25 are saved up until they equal one day, then are acknowledged every fourth year on February 29th.
Before Julius Caesar came to power over the Roman Empire, people used a 355-day calendar that included an additional 22-day month every two years. However, due to the movement of the stars and the shifting of feast days as they fell into different seasons, Caesar’s astronomer, Sosigenes, was tasked with created a more simplistic solution. Sosigenes developed the 365-day calendar that would save each year’s extra hours until they created an extra day.
Like any mathematical equation, there are rules. Generally, every fourth year is a Leap Year. However, a potential Leap Year that is divisible by 100 does not qualify as a Leap Year unless it is divisible by 400. Since Earth’s orbit around the sun is slightly less than 365.25 - 365.2422 to be exact - Pope Gregory XIII’s astronomers established the Gregorian calendar in 1582, which loses three leap days every 400 years to remain mathematically sound and astrologically aligned.


Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools
Image by Beachside LA

Wednesday, February 24

A to Z: Academy Award Nominated Movies for Your Family


The 88th Academy Awards ceremony is coming up and what better way to celebrate than with a classic, award-winning or nominated film! The first Academy Awards ceremony was held on May 16, 1929 in the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California. Founded as a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of the film industry, the Academy was initially organized in 1927 by Louis B. Mayer, film producer and co-founder of MGM Studios. The Academy’s first president and ceremony host was renowned Broadway actor and silent action film star, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. Share a piece of cinematic history with your children this weekend!
 
 Around the World in 80 Days - Won Best Picture (1956)

The Sound of Music - Won Best Picture (1965)

Little Women - Nominated for Best Picture (1933)

State Fair - Nominated for Best Picture (1933)

The Adventures of Robin Hood - Nominated for Best Picture (1938)

The Wizard of Oz - Nominated for Best Picture (1939)

The Quiet Man - Nominated for Best Picture (1952)

Roman Holiday - Nominated for Best Picture (1953)

To Kill a Mockingbird - Nominated for Best Picture (1962)

Mary Poppins - Nominated for Best Picture (1964)

Doctor Dolittle - Nominated for Best Picture (1967)

Fiddler on the Roof - Nominated for Best Picture (1971)

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial - Nominated for Best Picture (1982)

Up - Nominated for Best Picture (2009)

Look for these films on Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, at RedBox locations, or your local library! Use Can I Stream It or Go Watch It to view streaming options and availability!

Individual parental discretion will determine which films are suitable for a family’s child.

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools
Images by Common Sense Media & Rotten Tomatoes

Friday, February 5

ARTS & CRAFTS: Chinese Lanterns


Decorate for Chinese New Year with these red, paper lanterns!

Materials:
Red construction paper
Scissors
Clear tape
Colorful string or ribbon
Glitter paint (Optional)
Paint brush (Optional)

  1. On one side of a piece of red construction paper, lightly paint glitter and let dry.
  2. After the glitter has dried, fold the construction paper in half, lengthwise. Using scissors, cut strips into the paper along the fold, but do not cut to the paper’s edge. Strips should be about an inch in width.
  3. Unfold the construction paper and secure the top two corners together with tape, and do the same with the bottom two corners. The paper should now be in a cylindrical shape.
  4. Cut a small length of ribbon and secure each end with tape on the inside top edge of the lantern.

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools
Photos & Instructions by Nature Store

FRIDAY FOLDER: January 5

Weekly Highlights:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools