February Celebrations to Share
February is full of celebrations that you can share with your student! For instance:

It's Black History Month
So, why not...

• share some trivia questions (see box) to see how much you can educate one another?
• talk about Black leaders, living or deceased, that you admire and why?
• ask her what she is learning about Black History in class or through the multiple Black History Month programs happening on campus?

It's National Hot Breakfast Month
So, why not...

• send your student an envelope filled with instant oatmeal packets?
• make breakfast for her one morning when she's home?
• Give her $10 so she and a friend can get out into the community and hit a pancake breakfast at the local firehouse or VFW?

It's National Time Management Month
So, why not...

• share a time management tip that is working well for you?
• encourage her to talk with an advisor, residence hall director, coach or other trusted adult if she is struggling with time management?
• get a simple $5 plastic wall clock, pry off the cover and decorate the face with pictures/ stickers/etc. to give your student "the gift of time"?

It's the Chinese New Year!
The Chinese New Year for 2008 begins on Feb. 7. The Chinese calendar is close to 5,000 years old. It is made up of 12-year cycles, with each year named after an animal. People supposedly possess characteristics of the animal in the year of their birth. So, as the Year of the Rat races in, use the following chart to determine where you and your student fall in the grand scheme of things. You just might learn something about one another!

• Year of the Tiger — born in 1974
• Year of the Rabbit — born in 1975
• Year of the Dragon — born in 1976
• Year of the Snake — born in 1977
• Year of the Horse — born in 1978
• Year of the Sheep — born in 1979
• Year of the Monkey — born in 1980
• Year of the Rooster — born in 1981
• Year of the Dog — born in 1982
• Year of the Pig — born in 1983
• Year of the Rat — born in 1984
• Year of the Ox — born in 1985
  
  (Add or subtract 12 years from any of these dates if you don't see your birth date represented.)

Visit the Chinese Culture Center's page to learn more about the legend of these 12 animals, the characteristics of each and more.

There is always some way to connect with your student — and February offers options aplenty!