KIDS CARE Monthly News

FEBRUARY KIDS CARE

HEALTH FACTS:

Heart Health Month - In honor of February being Heart Health month, let’s learn a little bit about this amazing muscle. The heart is located slightly left of the middle of your chest, and it is about the size of your fist. The main function of the heart is sending blood around your body. The blood provides your body with the oxygen and nutrients it needs. The heart is like two pumps in one. The right side of your heart receives blood from the body and pumps it into the lungs. The left side of the heart does the exact opposite: It receives blood from the lungs and pumps it out to the body. Foods that are heart-healthy include salmon, kidney and black beans, almonds and walnuts, dark chocolate, tea, and olive oil.

WILDLIFE - GROUNDHOG DAY

It Feels Like Groundhog Day! Groundhog Day is celebrated annually on February 2nd in the United States and Canada. Groundhogs live in burrows, which are tunnels that have been dug into the ground. The Groundhog Day tradition is as follows: On February 2nd, if a groundhog steps out of its burrow and doesn’t see its own shadow, it will leave the burrow. This means that winter will end soon. On the other hand, if the groundhog does see its shadow, it will retreat into its burrow. Unfortunately, this means winter will continue for six more weeks. This tradition began in the 18th century in Pennsylvania and is still popular today. Who needs weathermen when you have got a groundhog!

GOVERNMENT - FUN FACTS

Father Of Our Country - On the third Monday of February, (this year it falls on February 20th), we celebrate George Washington’s Birthday. Known as Presidents Day, this federal holiday was created by Congress in 1880 and was the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen. What made George Washington such a great figure to deserve his own holiday? When America was fighting for its freedom from Great Britain, Washington was the commander of America’s Continental Army. He also was present for the writing of the Constitution in 1787. After America won its independence, Washington was unanimously selected as the first President of the United States of America.

Fun Fact: President in your pocket? George Washington’s portrait is on the one-dollar bill.

COMMUNITY - SAN DIEGO

I Love A Clean San Diego! - Through outreach, community involvement and example, I Love A Clean San Diego leads and educates our community to actively conserve and enhance the environment. I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) offers a broad range of expertise in environmental education program design and implementation. ILACSD works to promote regional awareness of environmental issues including resource conservation, waste reduction, recycling, community enhancement, and pollution prevention.