Tag Archives: live in childcare Long Island

Water & Summer Safety Cluster Meeting

June 12, 2016 – 10:44 pm

This Sunday, June 12th the Suffolk County Au Pair in America Cluster learned about Water & Summer Safety. The meeting was held on a deck overlooking the beautiful Long Island Sound. It was a very windy day, the water was too rough to swim, but the au pairs learned about being safe around the water from their Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba, who was a swim instructor and lifeguard.

They also learned about prevention and treatment of sunburn by how to use sunscreen and when to avoid the sun. Also covered was identifying poison ivy, preventing exposure and what to do if a rash occurs. We discussed ticks and Lyme disease. We also discussed playground safety, and basic first aid.

A former au pair, Nikoleta Todtova, from Slovakia, talked about her time as an au pair, returning home and then returning to the USA with a student visa several years later. She is currently attending a local college with a 4.0 average!

Cindy presented Alessia Agistri with a good bye gift and education completion certificate because she is finishing her 2 years as an Au Pair with APIA!

We finished the meeting with local strawberries on shortcake with cream. Everyone had time to socialize before heading home.

Happy Best Friends Day

June 8, 2016 – 11:55 pm

Crepes & Taxes for March Au Pair Cluster Meeting

March 14, 2016 – 1:32 am

On Sunday, March 13 the Suffolk Cluster from Au Pair in America met at Crazy Crepe in Mt. Sinai. Everyone had a crepe and a soft drink or coffee while we reviewed how to fill out their tax returns. Au Pairs who made more than $4000 in their stipend earnings in 2015 had to pay taxes on what they earned.

We also had a raffle for wearing their APIA t-shirt, 4 au pairs won gift cards to Starbucks!

We wished Dayanna a safe return to Mexico after spending 2 years as an au pair in Hampton Bays! We all enjoyed spending time together and look forward to our next cluster activity, seeing Rock of Ages on Broadway in April!

Happy Chinese New Year

February 8, 2016 – 7:58 pm

This is the Year of the Monkey, the ninth animal in the cycle. The monkey features prominently in many ancient Chinese legends. People born in the Year of the Monkey are said to be intelligent, clever, and gregarious, but also mischievous. They are skilled and smart, but shortcomings, like a quick temper and a touch of arrogance, tend to hold them back.

Have fun and enjoy the celebrations!

First Major Snow of 2016 Coming!

January 22, 2016 – 7:51 pm

PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE DURING A SNOW STORM!

This is a major snow storm and no au pair should be driving! Please be very careful, the snow is supposed to stop Tuesday afternoon. The roads will get cleared, but it may take some time. The kids will be off of school tomorrow, some schools will be sending the kids home early today. Be prepared and enjoy the snow days at home!

STAY HOME, YOU CAN GO OUT WHEN THE STREETS ARE PLOWED, BE SAFE!!

AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:

Avoid driving while you’re tired. Get the proper amount of rest!!
Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
Always look and steer where you want to go.
Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
Watch weather reports and do NOT drive in bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm.
Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.

Tips for driving in the snow:

Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

Keep in your car for safety during the winter:

An ice scraper and brush
Spray de-icer
Cat litter – for getting out of a rut, for traction in the snow
Collapsible show shovel
Blanket
Cell phone – know who to call in an emergency
Flash light

Suffolk County Community College and Au Pair in America

January 17, 2016 – 10:33 pm

Suffolk County Community College is an important resource for the Suffolk Cluster of Au Pair in America.

On Friday evening Cindy Garruba and Kristi Halpern, two Community Counselors for Au Pair in America, attended the Suffolk County Community College ESL Graduation. SCCC has a wonderful ESL program that has a multi-level program. If a student passes all the levels, they are awarded with a certificate and an inspiring ceremony. Twice a year SCCC ESL program holds this ceremony, in January and in May. Each time, several au pairs graduate from the program.

Every au pair is required to earn 6 credits or 72 – 80 hours at the college level. Host families contribute toward their education financially and support their attendance through scheduled time off and transportation to school. One semester of ESL at SCCC satisfies this requirement and the au pairs learn so much. The school has dedicated teachers, many options for classes and three campuses in Suffolk County.

Graduating this semester were Andresa Costa, Dayanna Davilla, and Caroline Martineli dos Santos. Several of their au pair friends joined Cindy and Kristi in the audience to cheer on their fellow au pairs! Many of the au pairs are signed up to start classes this month at SCCC.

Basket Ball Game at SCCC

On Sunday, Cindy’s cluster attended a Boy’s Basketball game at SCCC on the Selden Campus. The team played LaGuardia college and everyone enjoyed cheering on Suffolk’s team. Kevin Foley, the Athletic Director of Suffolk County Community College noticed our lively group and stopped by to sit with us in the stands. At half time, he invited us into the Alumni Room and gave each au pair a SCCC Athletic T-shirt. The game was close but SCCC won and everyone was very excited. As we excited the gym, the first few snowflakes of the season were falling. Some of the au pairs had never experienced snow and that was a thrill, too.

Kevin Foley, Athletic Director of SCCC with the APIA Au Pairs

Au Pair Holiday Party 2015!

December 14, 2015 – 1:51 pm

This past Sunday, December 13th the Suffolk Cluster of Au Pair in America enjoyed a holiday party at Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba’s home. There was an International Feast with dishes prepared by au pairs from all over the world. We played a little game and the au pairs won some prizes. A grab bag gift exchange and then Cindy played Santa and gave out gifts to each au pair!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Au Pairs and Host Families Enjoy Stony Brook Holiday Festival

December 9, 2015 – 2:24 am

On Sunday, December 6th Au Pair in America Suffolk County Au Pairs and Host Families decorated a tree for the Promenade of Trees in Stony Brook Village. It was a beautiful, warm day and everyone enjoyed the festivities.

Cindy Garruba, Senior Community Counselor for APIA, had decorations for the kids to make. We handed out coloring books to the kids waiting online to see Santa. Santa arrived in a horse drawn carriage at 2 pm to listen to all the kids’ Christmas wishes. There was a petting zoo, performers doing skits and singing songs. 100s of trees were decorated throughout the village and will be up through till the New Year.

Come down and check out Au Pair in America’s International Peace Tree just to the east of the Post Office right in front of the Stony Brook Gift Shop!

Happy Hanukkah 2015!

December 4, 2015 – 8:30 pm

Hanukkah begins at sundown this Sunday, December 6^th and ends on Monday, December 14^th.

Hanukkah is the Jewish Feast of Lights or Feast of Dedication. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means dedication. The holiday begins on the eve of the 25th day of the Hebrew Month of Kislev and lasts eight days. Hanukkah usually falls in the month of December, but occasionally can start in November.

The history

The books of the Maccabees tell the story of Hanukkah which occurred in 165 B.C. After three years of struggle, the Jews in Judea defeated the Syrian tyrant Antiochus. The Jewish people held festivities in the Temple of Jerusalem, and rededicated it to God. After removing all Syrian idols from the Temple, the Jews found only one small pot of oil to light their holy lamps. Miraculously, the small pot provided oil for eight days. Judas Maccabaeus, the Jewish leader, then proclaimed a festival to be observed by Jewish people.

Hannukah Traditions

The Menorah

The centerpiece of the Hanukkah celebration is the Hanukkah or menorah, a candelabra that holds nine candles. Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others. Families light one candle on the first day, two on the second (and so on) after sundown during the eight days of Hanukkah, while reciting prayers and singing songs. The menorah — either store-bought or homemade and crafted of metal, wood, papier mache, or clay — is filled from right to left, but lit left to right so each new candle is lit first.

Singing Songs

Hanukkah — one of the most family-oriented of Jewish holidays — comes with its own set of carols sung around the glowing menorah. These celebrate everything from the glory of God and the ancient Temple of the Jews (“Maoz Tzur”) to the simplicity of a dreidel (see below), as in “Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel/I made it out of clay/And when it’s dry and ready/Dreidel I shall play.”

Yummy Treats

There’s nothing low-fat about Hanukkah – many of the traditional foods of the holiday are deep-fried. In honor of the oil-y miracle people celebrating Hannukah like to eat foods that are fried in oil like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) and different fried breads. Want to have a go at making something? There are lots of recipes for yummy treats here: http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/454611/jewish/Chanukah-Recipes.htm

Spinning Tops

It’s customary to play with dreidels (spinning tops) during the holiday, even wage gambling games in which players guess which side of the top will fall face up. Legend has it that during the Greek-Syrian dictatorship in Israel of yore, Jews got around the ban on reading the Torah by bringing spinning tops to study sessions so their oppressors would think they were just playing around. The Hebrew characters carved into the four sides of today’s dreidels are the first letters of “Ness Gadol Haya Po/Sham,” which roughly translates to “Great Miracle Happened Here/There” (depending on whether you’re in Israel or not).

For fun and educational activities for children go to http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/

Directions to play the Dreidel game (Play for Hershey kisses, a great way to have fun with the kids): http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/dreidel-game.html

A very Happy Hanukkah to all!

Thankful Host Families & Au Pairs

November 24, 2015 – 1:25 am

At Thanksgiving, we pause and express gratitude to others. This year I want to thank all my au pairs and host families for the love and support they give each other every day. I also thank each au pair for teaching me about their culture, showing me their bravery for coming from far away places and giving so much to your host families. I appreciate that you keep me young and inspire me. I give thanks for the warm, welcoming host families here on Long Island who open their homes and trust the care of their children to these young women. Thank you to my fellow Community Counselors for your friendship, tips and counsel! Thank you, too, to all the staff of APIA for their support of all of us! Cindy Garruba, Senior Community Counselor, Suffolk County Au Pair in America

Here are some quotes of gratitude from Suffolk County au pairs and host families for Thanksgiving 2015:

Au Pair: I’m thankful for my host family who’s doing everything for me. They gave me the chance to fly to my sister’s wedding. I’m thankful that they always when they leave the house say “thank you to me” and when they come back. I’m thankful for my little kids who give me so much love and happiness. I’m thankful for all of my friends and my family. They support me and give me a good feeling.

Host Mom: I’m thankful for our au pair because she loves my children and takes great care of them in my absence. Thankful for your support, too!

Au Pair: This year I’m thankful for the amazing experiences I had, for all the people I met, for all trips I had the opportunity to made, for America, for chosen Au Pair in America, because I know I never will be alone, I thankful for Cindy, my Community Counselor, more the one counselor, one friend, who gives time and attention, thankful for my family and friends, thankful for my life 🙂

Au Pair: This year I am thankful for all that I have learned in the US, changes, second chances to bright and be proud of what are made of, and show the best of you!.

Au Pair: I am thankful for all the support that I got from Cindy and always being available to answer all my doubts. Also, I am very thankful with my host family for letting me continue with this experience for another year, for all the things that they taught me, for all the support that they gave me to continue with the school to improve my skills and for letting me be part of their family. Last but not least, I am very thankful to my family for encourage me to follow my dreams, for every word of encouragement and for all the love they give me. I’m going to spend Thanksgiving with my host family and some friends of them, it’s going to be an awesome day! Happy Thanksgiving! Lots of blessing!

Au Pair: This year I am thankful for the support I have from my family back at home and for my host family that make it feel like a never left 🙂

Au Pair: This year I’m thankful for all changes life gives me. I’m thankful for the people who gave me the opportunity starting a new adventure e.g. my family back home, my host family in the U.S., my agency and all the people behind Apia. Thank you Cindy and thank you Annika, my counselor in Germany :). I’m thankful for being at places I’ve ever wished for, knowing people from other nationalities and get to know the American culture! I am thankful that I have seen myself grown because of all the situation the life here gives me. I’m thankful that I learn a different language and can improve a language which is not my mother language (I’m working at it :D). I’m happy with my host family and thankful because they are treating me like a real family member and give me the chance to feel like home here. I’m so thankful for so much things the list will be endless! All in all I’m thankful that I be happy and healthy and for all the people who making me to this person! Thank you!

Host Mom: This year I am thankful to my au pair because she has been my right hand. With three children under five and the new transition to a single mom role (and all of the stress divorce can bring) she has graciously been eager to help and truly is a member of our family. My children call her their big sister and she loves them as such, providing them additional comfort and stability during such a difficult time. I love her and feel very protective of her, like my own. It was very cute, I took the children to the bagel shop very early one morning to eat breakfast. My daughter made friends with the children sitting at the table behind us. The mother commented to her, wow how lucky, you have two brothers and you’re the only girl. She proudly answered, no I have a big sister (her au pair). I didn’t correct her because she is right. The visual thought of this woman actual meeting my 25 year old Thai daughter made me smile to think I was eight when my first daughter was born! Our au pair is truly a blessing. She is very mature. Today is her 25th birthday!

Au Pair: I am thankful for my family, my host family and for my best au pair friend.

Au Pair: I am thankful for getting the possibility to spend a year in America with a nice host family. For all the new experiences I made so far, and I’ll make and especially for my family and friends!!!

Host Mom: We are thankful for our Au Pair because she takes good care of our daughter and helps with the dog, too!

Au Pair: My amazing au pair year and all of my new friends that I met in the USA. I am thankful especially for having a great host family.

Host Mom: We are thankful for our au pair for so many reasons. She is always there to lend a hand and help to keep the household together during the busy work week. Whether it is helping with dinner, doing homework, shuffling the kids to activities or reading bedtime stories, she is there to assist us. We are lucky to have a kind, caring and helpful au pair.

Au Pair: I am thankful for the wonderful experience this program gave to me. And how through it I can appreciate more everything I have in my life especially family and friends

Host Mom: This year I am thankful to my au pair because she is very organized, very helpful, makes the best jam & spätzle, is very sweet, is loved by my kids & the host dad and me!

Au Pair: I am thankful for my family, my host family, for all the little things I don’t appreciate every single day and for my best friend here in the USA.

New Host Mom: I am thankful for my au pair because I can already see my son and husband and I already have another trustworthy and loving family member to add to our clan.

Au Pair: This year I’m thankful for Au Pair in America agency and my host family! The agency help me a lot and bring me a chance to see the colorful world. And my host family give me an opportunity to go abroad! You all keep me warm as if I’m in my own home! You are nice and dynamic! Everything is going smoothly! Thank you very much!

Host Mom: I am thankful for our Au Pair. She has a sweet and calm disposition which is especially helpful during this busy time of year. She is a responsible and is a dedicated Au pair. Last week I was ill and needed to go to the ER. She is wonderful with my daughters and I knew I was leaving them in good hands.

Au Pair: I am thankful for my Host Family and friends who support me in every single way. I’m thankful for their love and their food!

Host Mom: This year I am thankful for my au pair because she is a warm and welcoming addition to our family who has brought love and fun to our home.

Au Pair: I’m thankful for having the opportunity of living with a wonderful American family, meeting many new friends and also learning about the American culture. Im sure that this year will be the best of my life.