Tag Archives: dc

Why Are Cluster Meetings Important?

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Recent cluster meetings have included touring the US Capitol and outdoor movie screenings.

Cluster meetings are an integral part of an au pair’s experience in America and au pairs are highly encouraged to attend.  Au Pair in America requires that counselors provide a cluster meeting per month.  Our cluster meetings are scheduled on weekdays and weekends, in order to accommodate the varied schedules of the host families in our area.

Cluster meetings offer the opportunity to:

  • Enjoy the many wonderful places and activities in and around Washington, DC
  • Meet one another, make new friends from other countries and socialize
  • Develop a relationship with your counselor
  • Celebrate American holidays, welcome and say farewell to other au pairs
  • Learn child development and safety tips
  • Support each other by sharing experiences
Our cluster volunteered to make sarthndwiches for Martha's Table

Our cluster volunteered to make sandwiches for Martha’s Table

International Potluck Dinner with Guest Speaker (Photo Credit: Christie Jorge-Tresolini)

International Potluck Dinner with Guest Speaker (Photo Credit: Christie Jorge-Tresolini)

Cluster meetings are an important part of an au pair’s cultural exchange. While it’s understood that sometimes work conflicts make this impossible, host parents are encouraged to free up their schedules so that au pairs can attend. 

Upcoming cluster meetings are listed in cluster newsletters and posted in the DCC Host Families Facebook Group and the Cluster DCC Facebook Group (for au pairs) so that they can be added to the family calendar.

Au pairs are expected to attend cluster meetings and should contact their counselor prior to the meeting if they cannot attend. Host families are expected to provide the time and transportation for the au pair to attend cluster meetings. Au pairs and host families are encouraged to offer cluster meeting ideas.

A Few of Our Fun and Informative Meetings

Autumn Cluster Meetings

Summer Cluster Meetings

Adams Morgan Movie Night

2016 DC Cultural Fair

US Capitol Tour

Disney on Ice 

Holiday Cluster Meeting

Volunteering by Making Sandwiches

Potomac Sunset Cruise

APIA Regional Scavenger Hunt at the Zoo

Host Family/Au Pair Picnic

Veterans Day 2016

Each year, we recognize our Veterans on November 11th, the day that World War I ended in 1918. Today, there are over 19 million Veterans in the United States. We all have a family member, friend, neighbor, or host parent who has served or is currently serving in the military.

Washington, DC will hold many ceremonies to honor veterans. Arlington National Cemetery has scheduled a patriotic ceremony honoring America’s military members and Veterans for Friday, November 11, 2016, at 11 a.m. A wreath -laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by a ceremony inside the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb. The event will commence with a prelude concert by The United States Navy Band at 10:30 a.m., inside the amphitheater. This is a popular event, so advance planning is recommended. 

Other ceremonies will take place at the Vietnam Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the National Cathedral.

Learn more about Veterans Day here.

2016 Fall Fun for DC Kids

Graphics: JW Illustrations © JESSICAWEIBLE.COM

Graphics: JW Illustrations © JESSICAWEIBLE.COM

Looking for ways to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather with the kids?  Here’s a round-up from several great local blogs, Tiny Beans, KidFriendly DC, and Our Kids. Continue reading →

Celebrate Labor Day 2016!

This year, we will celebrate Labor Day on Monday, September 5th. Labor Day Weekend is a new holiday for many au pairs. Here is a brief history of this American holiday (from Holiday Insights), ideas of ways to celebrate with your host children, and DC-area events.

Continue reading →

Fair Season!

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair 2015 (Images: Catherine McEaddy)

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair 2015 (Images: Catherine McEaddy)

Looking for a change of scenery? Want to get out DC’s concrete jungle for the day? Or maybe you just want to try a fried Oreo? All of these dreams can come true over the next few weeks at one of the many area county and state fairs.  Continue reading →

5th Annual 4th of July Celebration

Celebrate the 4th of July!

DC is the perfect place to celebrate the 4th of July. Instead of fighting the crowds at the Mall, view the fireworks from the Armed Forces Retirement Home while enjoying food trucks, fishing, music, and carnival games. There’s a community softball game and a kids’ patriotic bike contest.

So grab your picnic blanket and join the fun! This event is great for people of all ages, and is a highlight for my family every year. We can’t wait to go again this year. Hope to see you there!

Enter at Rock Creek Church Road and Randolph Street, NW. $10 parking donation requested. For more information, visit friendsofsoldiers.org or Facebook/friendsofsoldiers.

Free Classes for Adults at the Library

The DC Public Library offers loads of free classes for kids and families, but there are plenty of opportunities for adults too. This list gives you an idea of some of the adult classes being offered in the library branches in our cluster. Check out the library event calendar for other classes throughout the city. And don’t forget- they’re free!

Yoga & Meditation

Image: www.GlynLowe.com (Flickr)

Image: www.GlynLowe.com (Flickr)

  • Mt. Pleasant: Start your weekend with Carol, Marjorie, and some relaxing, stress-free yoga on Saturdays at 10 am. Everyone is welcome, beginners especially! 
  • Living in Harmony @ Mt. Pleasant: Join Colors of Happiness Coaching and Healing facilitator Florencia Fuensalida every other Saturday at 11:30 am for a brief guided meditation to provide you with the relaxation you need. 
  • Petworth: Yoga at Your Library is a beginner level yoga class for adults and teens on Saturdays at 11 am and Tuesdays at 7:30 pm brought to you by Yoga Activist. No experience is required. 

ESL Conversation Circles

  • Mt. Pleasant’s “Let’s Speak English”: Join the Conversation Circle held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8 pm to improve your English and chat with new people.
  • Takoma Park’s English/Spanish Conversation Hour: Join English and Spanish speakers every first and third Tuesday at 7 pm for a half-hour of conversation in Spanish followed by a half-hour of conversation in English. Each meeting will focus on a particular topic/area of interest.

Other Classes

Photo: Maxime De Ruyck (Flickr)

Image: Maxime De Ruyck (Flickr)

  • Learn Street Photography @ Petworth: On June 25th at 10 am, learn the basics of street photography in this two-hour workshop. We will begin in the basement of Petworth Library before moving outside. We will also learn how to upload their photos to Flickr.  Registration required. 
  • Your City in 3D! Digital Flaneur Workshop @ Mt. Pleasant: On June 29th at 7 pm, the DCPL Makers-in-Residence will introduce the concept of 3D scanning and imaging.
  • Awesome Adult Coloring Cafe @ Petworth: On July 13th at 5:15 pm, join Ms. Tea who will provide calming instrumental music, aromatherapeutic scents, colored pencils, markers and cool coloring pages for adults to complete.
  • Summertime Zumba @Takoma Park: Join Roshaunda Jenkins, a certified Zumba instructor, as she brings her experience, skills, and energy to this Zumba session on August 17th at 7 pm. 
  • Open Shelves @ Mt. Pleasant: an interactive exhibit for our multilingual community to learn from each other while becoming authors, artists, and collaborators in handmade artists’ books. 

** Please note that these classes are for fun and do not count towards an au pair’s academic class requirement.**

Outdoor Movies in DC

Image: Ted Eytan (Flickr)

Image: Ted Eytan (Flickr)

Summer has finally arrived with warmer weather! For June’s cluster meeting, we gathered for Adams Morgan Movie Night to watch the hilarious “School of Rock” on an outdoor screen as we munched on popcorn and other treats. Continue reading →