Harvest Moon

The definition of Harvest Moon is: the full moon closest to the fall equinox. The Harvest Moon was thus named because it rises within a half-hour of when the sun sets. In early days, when farmers had no tractors, it was essential that they work by the light of the moon to bring in the harvest. This moon is the fullest moon of the year. When you gaze at it, it looks very large and gives a lot of light throughout the entire night. No other lunar spectacle is as awesome as the Harvest Moon.

The Harvest Moon usually appears in the month of September. However, on occasion, it appears as a full moon early in October. This is the case this year, when the full moon closest to the autumn equinox will appear in the night sky on Oct. 2.



The Harvest Moon, when it falls in September, is also known as the "Fruit Moon." When it falls in October, it is sometimes called the "Hunter’s Moon." This is because October is the month when large animals, such a deer and moose are hunted for the winter’s meat supply. If taken before that time, it is said that the meat will taste wild or "strong." Hunting animals before the "Hunter’s Moon," also interferes with the rut.

The Harvest Moon rises as the sun sets. This occurs only in the Northern Hemisphere. This early rising and extra light allowed farmers to work long into the night in order to bring in the year’s harvest. In the Southern Hemisphere, the exact opposite occurs. There is a longer period of time between sunset and the rising of the moon. The south does not require the extra time to harvest the crops. In the north, if the crops are not taken in, they will be destroyed by frost, which can hit anytime during September or October. It is usually safe to assume there will be no frost, or only a light frost, before the Harvest Moon.

The Harvest Moon always hangs low in the sky. It seems to be larger and more beautiful than other full moons and often has an orange or pink cast. The reason for this is African dust storms and North American wildfires, which have filled the atmosphere with aerosols.

The human eye sees a low hanging moon as being larger than one that rides high in the sky. This is known as a “Moon Illusion,” because, in reality, the moon is always the same size.

www.moonphases.info

Regular Saturday Hours Resume

Please note that regular Saturday Hours of Operation will resume Saturday, Sept. 11.   The Warren Library will be open from 9:30 a.m.  to  4 p.m.

How to Get Your Child Ready for Back To School

How to Get Your Child Ready for Back to School

(from www.wikihow.com)

1) It's that time of year once again, a time when parents rejoice and kids groan. That's right - it's back to school time. But before you breakout the backpacks and the pencils, ask yourself this question - are you and your child fully prepared for the year ahead? Here's how to get you and your child ready for back-to-school.

2) Find out about your child's school - Whether your child is returning to the same school or starting at a new one, it's always a good idea to get the lowdown on any changes at the school. Is there a new principal? Who are your child's teachers? What's going on with the curriculum? What tests will be administered to your child? As most school districts start in September, schools tend to be open a month before. You can call the school directly and speak with an administrator or visit the school for information.

3) Get your child into the back-to-school routine - During the summer, staying up late and sleeping in are the norm. But as the start of school draws near, children need to get back into a routine. About three weeks before school starts, have your child go to bed 15 minutes earlier at night and get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning. When school is two weeks away, have your child go to bed 30 minutes earlier at night and get up thirty minutes earlier in the morning. When your child is about to start school in a week, have him go to bed an hour earlier at night and get up an hour earlier in the morning. By developing a bedtime routine, your child will be less resistant to the early morning wake-up calls to get ready for school. In addition, if you're not already doing this, have your child lay out his clothes before he goes to bed. That will teach him to get organized and be prepared in case you are running late in the morning.
 
4) Go over the three R's - Regardless if you're a teacher or not, we all have knowledge to pass on to our kids. What were your strengths in school? Reading? Writing? Science? Math? Whatever your favorite subject, use what you've learned in school and in life to go over some of the basics with your child. In essence, you can "play" school with your child. It should be in a room without distractions (i.e. no TV or video games) and geared towards learning (i.e. den, family library or home office). A run through of the basics should take no more than 30 minutes to an hour and should be done 2-3 times a week. This is an excellent opportunity to see where your child needs help and to pass that information on to his teachers.


5) Prepare the supplies - Depending on your child's grade level (K0-12), the type of supplies needed will vary. Some schools sends a list out a couple of weeks before the school year. If no such list is provided, what your child needs for school can be determined by a trip to OfficeMax, Staples or Wal-mart. Every August, those stores provide free school supply lists for their customers. They're pretty concise and arranged by grade level. You can again contact the school directly to see what supplied your child will need.

6) Plan to meet and greet - The first day of school has arrived. This is a big day for you and your child. This is the time to go with your child on his first day and introduce yourself to the teachers. As your child settles into his classroom, you can have a quick sidebar with the teacher to find out who he is and what he's planning to teach your child. Be sure to exchange contact information with the teacher. The teacher should provide you with a copy of a lesson plan or syllabus that gives you the gist of what will be taught in class. Don't be afraid to ask questions of everyone you meet. You and the teachers should work together for the benefit of your child.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month!

The smartest card in your wallet is a Library card. 
The Warren Library staff helps students to find age-appropriate materials to read for pleasure and Web-based resources for homework help.  By motivating children to read, librarians create lifelong readers.  The most important school supply of all is a library card!
The library offers free programs for children and adults, tailored to meet the local community needs and interests.
There's a lot happening at the Warren Twp Library, and the best part for both children and parents is that it's all free with a library card.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month.  Stop by Warren to replace your worn-out card or get a new library card.

It's free and it's worth it!