Monthly Archives: December 2010

2011 Sojourner Douglass Weekend Courses

I have had lots of au pairs take the Sojourner Douglass weekend courses and they have been very pleased.  They have told me that the instructors and staff are helpful and professional, the courses are interesting and the facilities are nice.  Below you will find information on their upcoming course offerings.

Sojourner Douglass College, Division of Professional and Continuing Studies

The full 2011 schedule is available and posted on their website.  The winter courses are filling up quickly.

The following are offered as Two Weekend Programs:

  • Interior Design
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Foreign Languages
    • Travel Spanish
    • Travel French

  New for 2011, Non-lodging courses:

  • Microsoft Software Certification:
    • Word
    • Excel 
    • PowerPoint
  • Art History Course that occurs in Washington, DC
  • Volunteerism Course 

 

Registration is ongoing and can be completed online by visiting www.weekendprogram.org Early registration is encouraged. For more information about our courses please visit the website

2011 Schedule of Weekend Classes (subject to change based on enrollment)

January 8-9, 2011 – TOEFL Review Course

January 8-9, 2011 – American Language and Culture,

January 22-23, 2011 – American Government and Personal Development

January 22-23, 2011 – Computer Software/Certification: Word (Non-lodging Course)

January 22-23 and March 12-13, 2011 – Interior Design Two Weekend Program

March 5-6, 2011 – American Culture and Tourism

March 5-6 and May 7-8, 2011 – Hospitality and Tourism Two Weekend Program

March 12-13, 2011 – American Language and Culture

March 12-13 and April 9-10, 2011 – Travel Spanish Two Weekend Course

March 12-13 and April 30-May 1, 2011 – English as a Second Language Two Weekend Course

March 12-13, 2011 – Computer Software/Certification: PowerPoint (Non-lodging Course)

March 12, 19, 26 – Art History (Non-lodging Course), Washington, D.C.

April 2-3, 2011 – Caring for Special Needs Children and American Culture

April 2-3 and June 11-12, 2011 – Child Care Two Weekend Program

April 9-10, 2011 – Understanding American Language Culture and Government 

April 30 and May 1 – Volunteerism in America (Non-lodging Course)

May 7-8, 2011 – American Culture and Personal Development

May 7-8 and June 11-12, 2011 – Travel French Two Weekend Program

May 14, 21, 28 – Art History (Non-lodging Course), Washington, D.C.

  

To register visit our new website:  www.weekendprogram.org

Please note the location of Weekend Courses:

The Conference Center at the Maritime Institute

692 Maritime Boulevard Linthicum, MD 21090-1952

(410)-859-5700 Front Desk ext 0

For questions call Angela Garnett, Program Coordinator at 301-213-2404 or email: info@weekendprogram.org

New Education Links Added

It’s time to start thinking about what you will do for the winter semester (starts in January.)  Don’t wait until the last minute or the class you want could be fully enrolled.

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Check out the new links under education options.  There are great options for everyone in our cluster.

If you scroll your mouse across the name of the school, you will see information on who this would be a good option for based on where in our cluster you live.

Reminder:

Au Pairs and Au Pair Extraordinaires need to complete 6 credit hours or 8 CEUs (continuing education units) or 72-80 classroom hours during their year.

Educare Companions need to complete 12 credit hours or 16 CEUs (continuing education units) or 144-160 classroom hours during their year.

Women's Business Leadership Course – Winter Semester

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Sis-U International is a seminar series developed exclusively for Au Pairs and cultural exchange students by Kathy Korman Frey, faculty at the George Washington University School of Business, Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

Who takes the class? Au Pairs and cultural exchange students of all different backgrounds. All students want to:

  • Enhance leadership skill
  • Think entrepreneurially
  • Develop skills for career success
  • Meet other Au Pairs as part of their cultural exchange experience
  • Meet DC business women as part of their cultural exchange experience
  • Have fun, be creative, and contribute to the class experience

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Where: GW’s Foggy Bottom Campus near 22nd and G streets NW in Washington, DC.

When: 1/27- 3/31, 8 to 10 pm (please fill out SIGN UP form for updates. A second Saturday (12-5 pm) series of sessions is being considered for students who live in Ashburn, Baltimore, and other places farther away from DC.)

Hours: 36 hours per semester. A letter will be provided to all participants confirming their participation. University credit is not provided. Cultural exchange students: This class fulfills 36 of your 72 hours of required education.

* In addition to homework, there is approximately one hour required each week for group meetings outside of class.

Price: $350 via check and $362 via credit card (click link in box at top of page “Register and pay for…)

Course material cost: $40 for course workbook which will serve as a life-long leadership skills book beyond the au pair experience.

*Access to a computer and phone each week will be required.

Instructor;  Kathy Korman Frey, GW School of Business faculty member and founder of the Hot Mommas Project research initiative. Click for bio.

Happy Hanukkah

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Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most joyous times of the Jewish year. The reason for the celebration is twofold (both dating back to c. 165 BC and the miraculous military victory of the small, ill-equipped Jewish army over the ruling Greek Syrians, who had banned the Jewish religion and desecrated the Temple and the miracle of the small cruse of consecrated oil, which burned for eight days in the Temple’s menorah instead of just one.

Hanukkah is often celebrated by:

  • Lighting a menorah for eight nights with olive oil or wax candles; one on the first night and an additional one each succeeding night, so that the last night has eight lights
  • Eating food fried in oil, especially potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts
  • Playing with a dreidle, a four-sided top; the player wins or loses money depending on which side it lands on (each is marked with a different Hebrew letter)
  • Celebrating with family and friends

Here are some websites with activities for the kids:

Hanukkah Coloring Pages

Crafts and Activities

Dreidel Hanukkah Cookies