Monthly Archives: May 2015

Memorial Day Festivities

Things to do with kids: Memorial Day Weekend Events for Kids and Families on Long Island

 

There’s nothing like a Memorial Day parade  for a little slice of Americana.  Kids enjoy wearing their red-white-and-blue and proudly waving the American flag as they salute the vets who nobly walk the parade route accompanied by marching bands, scout troops, fire trucks, and more.  The Suffolk County Fair is fun to visit: http://www.brookhavenfair.com/   Check out the Air Show at Jones Beach:  http://www.jonesbeach.com/

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Suffolk County Au Pairs Celebrate!

 

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states then others followed. It is now celebrated on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays).

Americans honor those who have lost their lives for their country by visiting cemeteries, placing flags and flowers on graves, flying the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon and attending parades. Children can be a part of Memorial Day too.  Here are some links to children’s activities:

http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdykws.htm

http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdymcr.htm

http://www.usmemorialday.org/activities/flag/index.htm

http://sunniebunniezz.com/memdyjbc.htm

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”  ~Maya Angelou

Au Pairs Walk the High Line

On Sunday, May 17th some Long Island Au Pairs from Au Pair in America walked with their Community Counselors on the NYC High Line.  It was a nice afternoon for everyone.  You can learn more about the NYC High Line by clicking on this link.

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Au Pairs Graduate from SCCC ESL Program!

IMG_20150515_191959 IMG_20150515_192230Suffolk County Community College has an excellent ESL program for adult students.  Many Au Pair in America au pairs choose SCCC for their required college classes.  Since there are 5 levels of English classes to graduate from the ESL program, often au pairs will extend for a second year because they want to complete the 5 levels.IMG_1354

SCCC held ESL graduation on Friday, May 15th at 7:30 PM at the Van Nostrand Auditorium on the Grant or Western Campus of the college. The ceremony was very moving with several graduates telling stories about their journey to the USA and why they came.  The au pairs all dressed up, friends, host families, and even a family from Germany came to watch their au pairs graduate.

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This Spring 6 Au Pair in America Au Pairs graduated from the ESL program.  Congratulations to Maria Tarnopolskaia, Judith Berthold, Carolin Maier, Min Wu, Nathalie Wurfel and Manuela Nascimento. As their Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba was happy to attend the ceremony and congratulated each individually with roses.

2 au pairs writings were featured in the program tonight. Shoot for the Moon Think Big IMG_6100The State Department requires each au pair attend an accredited College or University for 6 credits or 72 hours of post secondary education for each year in the USA.  Host families contribute $500 towards this education requirement.  One semester of ESL satisfies the requirement, but many au pairs attend for several semesters.  Au Pairs can stay for 2 years in America.

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Sunday, May 10th is Mother’s Day!  I want to take this opportunity to thank all the Host Moms for all they do for their Au Pairs.  I hope the day is extra special and that you each have time to enjoy the day with your families!

“Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.” Zora Neale Hurston

MOTHER’S DAY AROUND THE WORLD
A special day in the honor of mothers, Mothers Day is celebrated in several countries around the world though on different dates. In a large number of countries including US, Mothers Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in the month of May, but in many other countries Mothers Day is celebrated in an entirely different time of the year. But what ever may be the date of Mother’s Day around the world, the spirit is the same everywhere. Everywhere in the world mothers are respected for their extreme devotion towards their kids. And on Mother’s Day children pay their humblest tribute to their mothers and thank them for giving them birth and providing them with the best of care and upbringing.

 

 

 

Baby Animal Day at Suffolk County Farm

Host Family & Au Pair Day 2015

Suffolk County Au Pair in America Cluster visit Suffolk County Farm for Baby Animal Day!

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Baby animal daySaturday, May 2nd the Suffolk County Au Pair in America au pairs and their host families enjoyed Baby Animal Day at Suffolk County Farm.

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The highlights included:

  • Playing with the baby animals in the nursery
  • Chicks hatching and petting them
  • Wagon rides
  • Petting a caterpillar and crafts in the butterfly house
  • Sand art
  • Long Island Antique Power Association equipment demo
  • Music in the Gazebo
  • Sheep shearing demo
  • Watching the calves being fed
  • Pony rides
  • Picnic lunch and playing in the playground
  • Coloring, stickers and temporary tattoos with Au Pair in America

There were llamas, sheep, pigs, rabbits, cows and other farm animals. Suffolk County Farm is a working farm owned by the county. It is a wonderful place to visit with your family. http://ccesuffolk.org/suffolk-county-farmIMG_20150502_113606