FROM THE VOLUSIA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
8 and end with the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February
16. Presidents’ Day is Monday, February 17, which is
a federal holiday which makes Speed Weeks time a
good time for visitors to take a vacation to Daytona
Beach.
D
id you know 2020 is a leap year? Older children
and even adults often wonder why we need a
leap year every four years? Explaining the answer to
children may entice more questions, which is always a
good thing, however, you need to be ready. The short
answer is to keep the calendar year synchronized with
the astronomical or seasonal year.
You see, we fall behind about six hours each year. To
keep everything in order, every four years an extra
day is added to the calendar. The additional day
is always February 29, which is called a leap day.
This year, February 29 falls on a Saturday. Perhaps
you know people who were born on February 29.
This is always a fun time for them as it should be for
everyone. So make some fun plans to celebrate leap
day.
While leap year occurs only once every four years,
locals know February means Daytona Speed Weeks.
This year, the car races kick off on Saturday, February
Many families in our area take “staycations’ during
the month of February, too. This is a great time to visit
theme parks and get a hotel room for prices much less
than what you would pay during the tourist season.
There are so many wonderful things to do within a one
hour drive of our area. Taking a staycation makes a lot
of sense and is a great value. In addition, it is a great
way to break up the doldrums of winter.
You know when you stop and think about it; the month
of February is a fun month. With Ground Hog Day,
Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, our Daytona Speed
Weeks, and this year Leap Day on February 29.
February is indeed packed full of many opportunities
to celebrate and enjoy.
Whatever you decide to do with your children, take the
time to teach them about the meaning of the holiday or
the event. Make your staycation an annual event and
enjoy everything Central Florida has to offer.
CARL PERSIS
VOLUSIA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD,
DISTRICT 4
VIS IT U S ONLI NE AT WWW.PARE NTM AGAZINE FLORIDA .COM
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