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March – In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

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This is an old expression about the month of March – how the weather is cold and unpleasant at the beginning of the month, and then warmer and more comfortable at the end.

Here’s a children’s story about it:

Try reading it out loud to your child (or just yourself).  It’s good practice.
You can also  buy the book here, or borrow it from your library.

Presidents’ Day

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   Until the middle of the 1970s, February 22, the birthday of George Washington who was the first president of the United States, was a national holiday.  Also, February 12,  the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the president during the Civil War, was a holiday in most states.  In the 1970s, Congress declared a single holiday, to be called Presidents’ Day, would be observed on the third Monday in February (Monday February 20th this year) to honor all past presidents.

Here’s a video rap to help you remember their names.

Here’s information about what places are open or closed on this national holiday…

Town/City Hall and other government offices and courts: Closed

Public Schools: Closed (Part of February vacation week)

Senior Center: Closed

Public Library: Closed

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Most are open

No Mail Delivery

Groundhog Day

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February 2nd is a small, fun/silly holiday called Groundhog Day.  You may see it mentioned on the news – especially during the weather report.  According to legend:

  • If the groundhog sees his shadow on Feb 2nd, there will be 6 more weeks of winter
  • If he doesn’t see his shadow, there will be an early spring

The most famous groundhog is named Punxsutawney Phil – in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Did Phil see his shadow this year?   Yes, he saw his shadow.  Here’s the ceremony  …

There’s also a popular romantic comedy movie called Groundhog Day that you might enjoy watching.

Martin Luther King

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  Monday January 16th is the Martin Luther King Day holiday.  Martin Luther King spent his life working for equal rights for African Americans, and all Americans. He was an important civil rights leader and minister whose work helped lead to new laws against racial discrimination.

King’s most famous speech was at a protest rally for equal rights – in front of 250,000 people in Washington DC in 1963, which became known as the “I Have a Dream” speech.

Here’s a link to the entire 17 minute speech on YouTube.

Spring 2023 ESL Classes at FAESL – New Student Lottery Information

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>> The lottery signup for Spring 2023 English classes has closed.

Framingham Adult ESL will have a limited number of spaces for English classes in the Spring 2023 semester.

You can sign up for one or more of these 4 lotteries for a space in ESL class:

  • Morning class  (Tue, Wed, and Thu  8:45-10:45)
    • Online
    • In-person (in Framingham)
  • Evening class (Tue and Thu 6:30-9:30)
    • Online
    • In-person (in Framingham)

> To enter a lottery, you must be able to attend all days, arrive to class on time, and live in Massachusetts

The link to register for the lottery is available now at the school’s website FAESL.ORG   
Deadline to sign up is midnight Tuesday, January 3rd.

HiSet and Citizenship Classes

  • HiSet (GED) Classes – on the school website, you can fill out a form, and someone will contact you with more information
  • Citizenship Classes – on the school website, you can fill out a form and someone will contact you with more information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • How will I know if I win?
    There will be a drawing on Facebook live on Thursday, January 5th at 11am.
    If your name is selected in any of the lotteries, the school will text or call you soon after the Facebook live drawing.
  • Do I need to watch the lottery on Facebook Live on January 5th?
    NO – When you enter the lottery online you will include your phone number, and winners will be texted or called.
    >> Note: Be careful to make sure that your phone number is correct.
  • If my name is selected in the lottery, what happens next?
    You will be texted/called, asking you to come to the school for testing.
    Note: Be sure to bring some identification (ID) to show that you are the person whose name was selected, and that you live in Massachusetts.
    After testing, you will be assigned to one of these:

    • An English class of the time (AM/PM) and type (online/in-person) based on which lottery you entered and won
    • Or – a waiting list
      (You get a space in class as soon as possible and do not need to participate in more lotteries)
  • When do the classes begin?
    • Classes start on Tuesday, February 14th

NOTE: This is information only.  It does not guarantee you a place in class. 

One New Word Every Day

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  A good way to learn more English words is to study one new word every day.  Here is a good website – The Britannica Dictionary (Previously called “Learner’s Dictionary”) that teaches you a new word or common expression every day. Start Today!
home-screenTo make it easier to use on your phone or tablet, put a website shortcut button on your home screen that will go right to the Word of the Day.  Here’s one way of how to do that for Apple and Android.