Monthly Archives: September 2011

Harvard Campus Tour

September 17, 2011 – 7:39 pm

Each September, Au Pair in America organizes a group tour at Harvard University for its Boston area au pairs. Over 60 au pairs participated on a lovely sunny day.

Aside from Harvard’s history, we always learn interesting facts from the tour leaders. Yesterday we learned that Harvard is the only university which is “needs blind” which means that they will accept students based on their scholarly value no matter how much money they have to contribute to their education. Harvard will then supplement the rest, even if it means paying 100%. We also learned that each dorm on campus reflects the total makeup of the Harvard student population. So if Harvard has 20% international students, each dorm will have 20% international students. A true tribute to diversity!

Our tour guide with some of our cluster

We heard that even the statue of Mr. Harvard tells three lies:

1. It was not Mr. Harvard who founded the Harvard University

2. It was not founded in the year written on the statue

3. It’s not Mr. Harvard himself since nobody really knew how he looked like.

Statue of Mr. Harvard....

Many more stories our tour guide has told us and this was an impressive way to introduce all aupairs to this famous Harvard University.

Many of our aupairs continue to sign up for classes at the Harvard extension school as well.

Theresa from Austria, Aurelie from France, Sabine from Austria, Hannah from South Africa and Jane from Germany

To see more pictures please go to Harvard campus tour 2011 and Harvard tour 2.

Driving Tips for Au Pairs

September 13, 2011 – 12:48 pm

1. Make sure you and everyone in the car are buckled up correctly. Be careful to adjust car seats correctly!

2. Adjust your mirrors before you move!

3. Be very careful when backing up. Walk around the car first.

4. Parking lots are dangerous, many accidents happen in parking lots!

5. Observe all road signs, come to a full stop at every stop sign and red light. NO EXCEPTIONS EVER!

6. Be aware of the other drivers, not everyone is a good driver and they might do something unexpected!

7. Leave the music alone, do not adjust the radio while you are driving.

8. Do not talk on your cell or text while driving – It is dangerous and against the law!!!

9. NO DRINKING and DRIVING ever! No open alcohol in a car because you can be arrested just for having it in the car.

10. Do not take any risks when driving. Yellow lights mean prepare to stop!!

11. Keep the car neat and tidy.

12. Do not run out of gas, keep the tank half full all the time.

13. Windshield wipers and lights must be on if it is raining or snowing, this is the law in New York State.

14. No rowdy passengers, pay attention to the road.

15. In a school zone the speed limit is no more than 20 miles per hour. BE CAREFUL, kids run out in front of cars & buses.

16. DO NOT PASS a stopped school bus from either direction when it has its stop signs out. When a bus has the lights flashing, it is about to stop.

17. DRIVE DEFENSIVELY ALWAYS

Holidays/Dates to Remember

September 3, 2011 – 10:00 am

Back to school

5 -Labor Day:

Labor Day is the first Monday in September and was first celebrated in the United States on September 5, 1882 as a trade union holiday. Now Labor Day is seen as the end of summer and the beginning of school for many students. The day is often celebrated with picnics, sporting events and reunions.

11- September 11:

Take a moment to day to remember victims of the 2001 September 11 attacks, often referred to as 9/11 (pronounced nine-eleven) On this day, hijackers intentionally crashed two airplanes in to the World Trade Center in New York City causing them to collapse. Hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania, after some of its passengers and flight crew attempted to retake control of the plane.

11- National Grandparents Day:

Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day. This is not a widely celebrated holiday, but most grandparents would still appreciate being remembered and would particularly enjoy a homemade gift or card. Work with your children to create a simple but special surprise. Use a photo of the child or the child and the grandparent to make it even more special. If the grandparents do not live nearby to deliver the gift, call them to say hi and have a great day.

22- Fall begins

28-Rosh Hashanah

Baby Safety Month

September 3, 2011 – 9:35 am

There are many safety tips on the Au Pair in America website http://aupairinamerica.com/

babysafety_19

In honor of Baby Safety Month, here are some more specific baby tips:

Check condition and sturdiness of toys. Discard any with sharp edges or are broken or falling apart.
Check children’s clothing for loose buttons and strings.
Is baby’s pacifier still in good condition? If not, toss it. Never use strings to attach the pacifier to baby’s clothes or crib.
Where do you set baby’s carrier when she’s in it? Not on the counter, or any high surface. Babies can wiggle and tip themselves over.
Walkers can be dangerous (especially old ones that don’t meet today’s safety standards), they allow baby to move very quickly and reach things they normally can’t. Never use around stairs.
Stroller check. If your stroller is collapsible, be sure latches are secure before putting baby in. Always check that your child’s arms are out of the way when reversing handle directions so they won’t get pinched. Be sure to use that safety strap. Don’t hang overloaded or heavy bags on the handle of the stroller; this may cause it to tip over.
Can you name the 12 most common choking foods for kids under five? Popcorn, hot dogs, chunks of meat, raisins, ice cubes, chunky peanut butter, nuts of any kind, hard candy, grapes, raw carrots, potato chips and corn chips. Don’t leave toddlers alone while eating; if they begin to choke you need to be nearby to assist.
Get a piggy bank: this is a great place to put coins so they don’t end up on the floor, in the couch cushions and then baby’s mouth.
Never leave your child unattended in the bathtub. If the phone rings, let the machine get it.