The Chicago Area Blog

An au pair’s last work day is the date before her arrival in New York. For example, if an au pair arrives on May 14, her last work day would be May 13 of the following year.

Winter is upon us here in Chicago, and some of you may be lured downtown to Millenieum Park to go Ice Skating.   You need special insurance to cover you in case you injure yourself while Ice Skating or doing any number of sports ( see partial list below) .  If you do not have the Sports insurance and get injured doing one of these sports, insurance will NOT pay the hospital bill, you will be responsible for it.  If you do not know what type of insurance you have, call your counselor and she can tell you.

The Sports Insurance Package was available pre-departure and may also be purchased at any time during your year. It takes effect within 48 hours of your enrollment and it is good for the remainder of the year. The cost will be the same whether you have one month left or your whole year ahead of you.   Below is a partial list of sports that are only covered with the sports insurance package:
Football, Rugby, Scuba diving, Wakeboarding, Skydiving, Parachuting, Rock climbing, Zip line, Skate boarding, Rollerblading, Roller skating, Ice Skating, Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowmobiles & Snowshoeing.

Au Pair in America has partnered with AAA, the nation’s most trusted name in driver safety and instruction to offer a custom classroom course specifically designed for au pairs. Exclusive to Au Pair in America, the AAA driving course is one of a kind, tailored to the needs of the international driver and specific to the safety needs of driving children in a car.

 Schedule of Events

Dyeing the Chicago River: 10:45am

It is  best viewed from the east side of the Michigan Avenue bridge, the West side of the Columbus Drive bridge or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.

 Downtown Chicago Parade: 12:00 noon

The parade starts at Balbo and Columbus and proceeds north on Columbus Drive to Monroe.

Taking Public Transportation  is Highly Recommended!

2011 kicked off with a trip to Disney for 36 lucky au pairs and 2 community counsellors.  Here they are in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

Avoid the ER and save some money.  For au pairs arriving in 2009 and after there is an additional ER deductible of $250.  **Note there are several plans with differing deductibles.  Visit http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/insurance_3.asp for full details. 

If you get sick, your best option is to visit a walk-in clinic or Urgent Care location such as the ones listed below.  You should carry your insurance card with you at all times.

Walk-in Clinic-South Loop- Phone: 312.663.3522 Board Certified ER doctors

71 E 16th St. Chicago IL, 60616  Mon-Fri 9:30-7pm  Sat 9:30-2pm

Physicians Immediate Care- Walk-In clinic, No appointment necessary

811B South State Street Chicago, IL 60605
Ph: (312) 566-9510

http:/: 7:30am – 8pm
Saturdays: 9am – 6pm
Sundays: 9am – 4pmWeekdays

Walgreens Take Care Health Clinics-Nurse Practitioners
1601 N Wells Street Chicago, IL 60614
Mon-Fri 8:00am-7:30pm
Sat-Sun 9:00am-4:30pm Chicago, IL 60603

79 West Monroe

Mon-Fri 7:00am-6:30pm 10265

 
CVS Minute Clinics-Nurse Practitioners

State and Adams

137 South State Street Chicago, IL 60603

Mon – Fri 8:30am to 7:30pm

Sat – Sun closed

Clark and Division
1165 North Clark Chicago, IL 60610
Mon – Fri 8:30am to 7:30pm
Sat 9am to 5:30pm
Sun 10am to 5:30pm

You will need to pay for services at the time of your appointment and submit a claim to insurance.

Full details and a list of doctors who are familiar with the insurance can be found onthe Au Pair in America website http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/insurance_3.asp

Pack your bags for the 7th Annual  Au Pair in America  trip to DISNEY WORLD

For Au Pair in America au pairs only

JANUARY 27 – JANUARY 31, 2011 $390.00 Per person

 Includes 4 nights in All Stars Music Hotel on Disney Property, 3 day hopper pass and transportation to all 4 parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom) and transportation from the Orlando airport to the hotel on January 27 and transportation to the Orlando airport from the hotel on January 31. Price does not include meals.

4 Au Pairs to a hotel room .Each room has 2 double beds

Au Pairs will need to book air travel to and from Orlando, Florida. 

Email Kathy at kkressner@comcast.net

Bee searching for pollen

Fun with Bees!

Summer is a great time to observe and learn about the wonderful world of bees, but be careful not to get too close!

At the Library:

Look for books about bees such as Berlioz the Bear by Jan Brett or Bumblebee, Bumblebee, Do You Know Me? : A Garden Guessing Game by Anne Rockwell.

Arts and Crafts:

• Make a large “Bee Garden” poster: Use green paper and create a flower garden using markers or construction paper or crayons. Draw bees visiting the flowers.
• Make a Bee Headband: Use a 1-1/2” wide piece of construction paper measured to fit the circumference of the child’s head for the headband. You need chenille stems (pipe cleaners) if you want to make the flowers stand up. Make the flowers out of tissues or stiff paper.

Make a Bee Snack

Make pumpernickel (dark) bread with melted cheese stripes.

Six Buzzing Bumblebees (a finger play – use your fingers as the bees)

Six buzzing bumblebees
Flying ‘round the hive,
One buzzes off and then there are five.
Five buzzing bumblebees
Flying near my door,
One buzzes off and then there are four
Four buzzing bumblebees
Flying ’round a tree.
One buzzes off and then there are three.
Three buzzing bumblebees
In the sky so blue.
One buzzes off and then there are two.
Two buzzing bumblebees
Flying toward the sun.
One buzzes off and then there is one.
One buzzing bumblebee
Looking for some fun,
Oops! It stung me….off it buzzes.
Then there are none.