Author Archives: Cindy Garruba

September Au Pair Cluster Meeting

AP's Sept 2011 023 webThe Suffolk County cluster of Au Pair in America meeting in September was filled with au pairs and with important information.  Cindy Garruba, Senior Community Counselor advised all host families to make sure their au pair attended this important meeting.

All summer long Au Pairs were arriving in Suffolk County.  Some of them came to families whose former au pair had completed her time as an au pair and was heading home to her own country.  Some were coming to new host families!  Along with au pairs who have been in the country several months, the new au pairs gathered at Cindy Garruba’s home.  They had lessons on safe driving led by Cindy, always a high priority for all au pairs.  Cindy also taught the au pairs about managing the needs of their host children going back to school; things like handling the stressful morning on school days, safe trips to the bus stop, communicating with school through the back pack, and advice from teachers.

AP's Sept 2011 027 webAlong with the valuable lessons learned, the au pairs also had a chance to talk about themselves.  They each told the group their name, their country, when they arrived in the USA, where their host family lives in Suffolk County, how many and the ages of their host children.  The group includes au pairs from Europe, Asia and South America.  Everyone made new friends!

Au Pairs Create 9/11 Peace Project

AP's Sept 2011 028 bOn Sunday, September 11 2011 the Au Pair in America Suffolk County Au Pairs created a Peace Painting in honor of the ten year anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center. 

Each Au Pair painted a peace sign to reflect their country or their thoughts on peace. Reflections of the day resulted in inspirational creativity by each of the young women.AP's Sept 2011 029 B

 

AP's Sept 2011 030 bInternational Peace Day is September 21.  Celebrations will be held around the world to promote world peace.

 

 

The final project created by Cindy Garruba’s Au Pairs!pic-for-web.jpg

The School Bus Stop Safety

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School Starts Now – Be Safe at the Bus Stop

  1. Be on time to the bus stop so that you and your host kids get there safely
  2. Walk and hold hands to the stop
  3. Stand on the sidewalk or the the grass, not in the street
  4. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before the children walk to the door
  5. Let the bus driver open the door, do not push it, wait
  6. Remind the children to sit on the bus and not stand, if there are seat belts, tell them to put them on.
  7. Let the bus leave before you do, just in case there is a problem
  8. Be at the afternoon return bus stop in plenty of time, before it comes
  9. The driver is not allowed to let small children off the bus unless someone greets them, so if you are not there the children will be taken back to school.  BE THERE.
  10. The bus driver will not leave until you are safely on your side of the street, so if you need to cross the street, do it in front of the bus!! 

Brazilian Day in NYC

The event is celebrating its 27th anniversary, with the Lavagem da Rua 46 on Saturday September 3, and Brazilian Day on Sunday, September 4, at 46th Street, also known as Little Brazil, and 6th Avenue, near Times Square. Presently the event takes over 25 blocks surrounding Little Brazil.

The festival began to celebrate Brazil’s Independence Day. Since 1984, that small celebration has only grown, up to the point of attracting over1.5 million people in 2010, according to official information from NYPD.

Brazilian dayPeople come from as close as Connecticut and as far as California. Perfectly bonding with the diverse population of New York City, people also come from Europe, Asia and Africa, to join in the festivities. Some travel in groups, they commute by bus, some fly in, and others simply drive hundreds of miles. No one wants to be left out of this party, which is now considered the world’s biggest Brazilian event outside Brazil and one of the greatest ethnic events in the Big Apple.

The organizers of Brazilian Day, The Brasilians Newspaper, The Brazilian-American Cultural Center (BACC) and TV Globo Internacional, are expecting a record number of participants for the 27th celebration.There are no precise estimates of how many Brazilians live nowadays in the United States. However, the Brazil Information Center (BIC), a non-profit poll organization based out of Washington, D.C., estimates that there are over a million Brazilians throughout the entire country. Of those, 300 thousand live in the three-state area of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. The NGO also estimates that 100 thousand alone live in the Borough of Queens, New York.

The Brazilian Day festival is not simply a party celebration; it has become an opportunity to reach out to the Brazilian community in the United States. On that day, Brazilians join each other from different parts of the world, many coming from Brazil just to attend the festival, show their pride, advertise their culture and live their nostalgic and anonymous feeling of being an immigrant away from home.

Welcoming New Arrivals and Saying Goodbye to Au Pairs Leaving

So many new people to welcome and so many great au pairs returning home to their countries!goodbye-hello-thumb-400x243-2010

It is so exciting to meet all the new au pairs arriving this summer.  August is a month filled with arrivals, but along with the arrivals are so many departures.  Before we move on to our new friends we bid farewell to many people we have grown to love.  Many of the au pairs who have been in the USA for 2 whole years, others for a year, but each of you will face some real challenges when you go home.

At first you will be greeted with welcome home parties with lots of your friends and family gathering to see you again.  The excitement will wear off and everyone will go back to their regular routines and expect you to do the same.  But you are different now!  You are experiencing some reverse culture shock!  You remember how it was in America, you might miss your independence, your favorite restaurant or store, your friends and your host family.  Just like when you came to America, you are feeling a bit homesick.  That will pass and your experiences will enrich your life, you will move on to the next challenges in your life.  You have grown a lot and soon you will be happily living your new life. 

As your Community Counselor, I will miss you and hope you stay in touch.  Facebook and emails are wonderful ways to stay connected.  I look forward to seeing all the great things in your future.  Stay on Cindy Garruba’s Au Pairs Facebook page!

Welcome to the Newly Arrived Au Pairs

Please call and email the new au pairs when they arrive.  You will get emails from me with their phone number and email address when they arrive from Orientation to their host family.  Remember how much you wanted to make friends when you first arrived and please welcome everyone!

friendships

Mary Poppins Fun for Au Pairs!

This weekend the Long Island Au Pairs from Au Pair in America enjoyed Mary Poppins on Broadway!

Mary Poppins Au Pairs

The Au Pairs loved the show!  “Mary Poppins was truly magical” said Bruna from Brazil.

The show was perfect for the au pairs who are here in the USA living with host families and providing up to 45 hours of weekly childcare.  They understand the challenges faced by Mary Poppins and would have loved some of her tricks.  Of course they spend their days entertaining their host children, driving them to activities, keeping the safe and happy.

 

In this picture are Ortal from Isreal and Liza from Colombia.

 AP Mary PoppinsThis is Patricia from Brazil, an Au Pair spending a second year in America.  Au Pairs can extend their time up to 2 full years in the USA.

Our next cluster activity will take the Au Pairs to a Long Island Ducks Baseball game in August.  A chance to experience a truly American sport!

It is not too late to have an Au Pair in your home for September to provide childcare for your family and have a chance to teach your children about cultural exchange. 

Check out www.aupairinamerica.com

Get Creative – Build a Cardboard Playhouse!

Summertime is a great time to get creative!

Days are long and the weather is warm so it’s a great time to do a project with your host kids.  How about making a playhouse?

Here’s some guidance:

– Get a large appliance box from a local appliance stores and put it in the backyard – get several if you want to make a playhouse city!

– Paint and deco­rate the box

– Cut out a door and some windows, and voila, you have a play house!

Look how much these kids enjoyed their playhouse and it’s not even decorated!

The 4th of July is the USA’s Birthday!

Happy birthday america

On July 4, 1776, Americans claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the “land of the free and the home of the brave” so they can begin their American Dream.

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.

Au Pair in America is dedicated to cultural exchange and hopes all our host families and au pairs are celebrating this truly American holiday together!  Enjoy your barbeques, picnics, and all the fireworks!

There are parades in most communities this weekend, check your local paper for the one closest to you!

Macy's 4th of July fireworksHere is a list of some places to watch the 4th of July Fireworks:

Southampton

NORTH SEA FIRE DEPARTMENT FIREWORKS

Fri, Jul 01, 2011 10:00 PM
Sun, Jul 03, 2011 10:00 PM
where:
North Sea Fire Department’s Fireman’s Memorial Athletic Field
Noyac Road
North Sea
details:
The North Sea Fire Department will have fireworks in the Fireman’s Field on Friday, July 1, and Sunday, July 3, at approximately 10 p.m. Rain date July 4. For more information, call 631-283-3629, ext. 5.

Friday, Jul 01, 2011
Southampton Fresh Air Home Benefit   (National Class)
Place: Shinnecock, Southampton, NY (This is an expensive event, so park nearby and just watch from there!)

Greenport
Saturday, July 2, 6:00 PM-11:00 PM, Monday, July 4, t 6:00 PM-11:00 PM, Fireman’s Carnival and Fireworks Display, Fireworks display will take place July 3rd and 4th at 10 p.m. Fireworks are visible at the school, carnival, and at locations throughout Greenport.

Riverhead Sunday, July 3  Starts at 9 PM, Peconic Bay Waterfront, behind Atlantis Aquarium,  5 PM  – 9:30 PM Come down to the beautiful Peconic Riverfront to celebrate Independence Day with a great family concert by Brady Rymer and a Rock & Roll Review. The salute to American Independence ends with a spectacular fireworks show at 9:00pm at Grangebel Park on the Peconic Riverfront!

Macy’s July 4th Fireworks Viewing Party
Details: View the legendary Macys 4th of July Fireworks celebration on the Hudson River from the Flight Deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum located at Pier 86.
Where: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
When: Monday, 7pm – 10:30pm

Old West Show at Old Bethpage Village this Saturday!!`

Do you want to see a cowboy show here on Long Island? 

cowboyCowboys and cowgirls will ride into Old Bethpage Village Restoration Saturday for an event billed as the “Gunfight at the Gulch,” the group’s second Long Island match of the season. http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Parks/wheretogo/museums/central_nass_museum/old_bethpage_rest.html

Gunfight at the Gulch

WHEN | WHERE 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage

INFO islandlongriders.com or email joe@islandlongriders.com

ADMISSION Included with general museum admission of $10 ($7 ages 5-12)

Spectators look on as mounted contestants will compete in fast-action, timed events using two .45 caliber single action revolvers each loaded with five rounds of specially prepared blank ammunition — like the stage props used in Hollywood movies — to pop balloons. 

WHAT YOU’LL SEE

As part of the match, participants dress in period clothing, replete with boots, chaps and cowboy hats, in keeping with the Old West spirit.  Courses of fire are set in a variety of patterns, with the first five balloons arranged randomly and the last five positioned in a straight line known as a rundown. Riders score points based on accuracy and time, and at the end of the match, which usually consists of four “stages,” the rider with the best total time, including any penalties such as missed balloons or overturned barrels, is declared the winner.

Match with an EduCare Au Pair NOW!

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AU PAIR IN AMERICA & SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE worked together to create a special program that fulfills the requirements to be able to introduce EduCare to Suffolk County.  The program is open to all students, but will make it possible for EduCare companions to earn their required education!! 

EduCare Regulations:

  • EduCare is only for families that require childcare before and after school.
  • EduCare au pairs may not be placed with families that have preschool children except if other, full-time childcare plans have been made.
  • The EduCare au pair may work no more than 10 hours per day, and a maximum of 30 hours per week.
  • Au pairs participating in the EduCare component receive 75 percent of the weekly rate paid to non-EduCare participants.
  • EduCare au pairs must complete a minimum of 12 hours of academic credit or its equivalent during the program year.
  • The host family is required to provide (up to) the first $1,000 toward the cost of the au pair’s required academic course work.

Host Family Comparative Fees

Au Pair

Standard Au Pair

EduCare Companion
Program Fee

$7,295.00

$6,095.00
Match Fee

400.00

400.00
Weekly Stipend*

195.75

146.81
Education

500.00

1000.00
Average per week**

347.00

274.00

  *Based on the Federal minimum wage

** Not including education allowance. Including education, difference is $3,196

EduCare in America 2011 Arrival Dates

Tuesday, July 5                                 Monday, July 25

Monday, August 1                             Monday, August 15

                                    Monday, December 5