Author Archives: Victoria Paton

DC Region Scavenger Hunt at the National Zoo 2017

The weather could no be more perfect for the gathering of nearly 30 Clusters of Au Pair in America’s DC Region!

Over 300 Au Pairs from around the world met to participate in the 3rd Au Pair in America DC Region Scavenger Hunt at the National Zoo on Sunday, October 1st.

Au Pairs formed teams of 10-12 and given packets with instructions, each unique hunt map asked the team to identify 10 animals by color, region, texture etc.

Pinterest was a great resource for excellent scavenger hunt maps this year. These followed a Montessori model…

 

 

 

The Zoo was a buzz that Sunday with many young families enjoying a day out and they encountered little groups of Au Pairs in their Au Pair in America t-shirts happily saying hello and engaging children. After 2 hours the teams returned with photos of their finds and presented their results to their Counselor.

Each Au Pair received a stuffed panda toy as a souvenir of the day and their visit with the National Zoo’s own Giant Pandas…Mei Xiang (female), Tian Tian (male) and their baby Bei Bei.

 

All participants and their counselors gathered for a giant photo to commemorate the day!

 

Au Pairs and Host Families Support Race4Respect

Eight Au Pairs from Maryland and Virginia awoke at 530am to reach downtown DC by 7am to report for their volunteer positions at the Race4Respect. By 8am, Pennsylvania Avenue was abuzz with families and children all anxious to start the Race4Respect. Victoria Paton, Senior Community Counselor, was proud of her Au Pairs wanting to help out and they posed for some pre-Run photos.

As quite a few of our Au Pairs care for children with Down syndrome, Au Pair in America decided to become a sponsor of this fairly new, but important, event.

Two Au Pairs from Brazil ran with their Host Families.

Au Pairs from Victoria Paton’s Cluster came to volunteer and they had a blast! l-r Germany, Austria, Germany and Brazil were represented.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Race4Respect 5k, 1k and fun run was founded in 2014 and is the only event dedicated to Down Syndrome Awareness that stops traffic in the nation’s capital.

A run-loving Host Family participated in Race4Respect. Their Au Pair, Robyn, is from Australia and loves charity races.

These super-volunteering Au Pairs were joined by 4 DC Area Host Families who all walked and ran in the race as well.

It was a gorgeous day and everyone had fun with the Capitol as a backdrop!

The Race4Respect was created in the belief that negative stereotypes or judgements might be eliminated if persons with Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities would participate together to share a day of friendship and fun.

The hope of Race organizers is that people might proceed in their lives more inclined to hire individuals with disabilities, help them at the bus stop, chat with them at a coffee shop, or simply believe in their ability before automatically dismissing them as unable.

 

This Host Family and their Au Pair, Cami, from Brazil, were involved in the organization of this awareness-building event.

Au Pairs pass water to thirsty runners and walkers along the route.

 

Wheels helped the littlest Host children complete the ENTIRE course!

Mariana, from Mexico, and her Host children walked the entire route proud to be part of Team Au Pair in America!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mariana and children walk toward the US Capital.

Team Au Pair in America!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We LOVE Our Au Pairs Awards Dessert Party 2017

Momina from France

Over 50 Au Pairs came to the Kentlands Community Center in Gaithersburg, MD on Friday night May 5th to be “Guests of Honor” for an Awards Dessert Party to celebrate THEM.

Claudia from Spain

 

Victoria says: “This is, by far, one of THE best Cluster activities of the year. We all get so close. Other Au Pairs listen and applaud each other’s accomplishments. I’m so proud.”

After an hour of mingling, making friends and just relaxing together, the formalities began.

Andrea, from Costa Rica, is almost at the end of her year…and is going to miss her Host Family so much

Melisha from South Africa “Most Stylish Au Pair” laughs with Franzi from Germany and Elise from France.

Each Au Pair was called up one by one to receive her award, designated by her Host Family, specifying an area in which she excels.

The ceremony included presentation of a printed certificate as well as a lovely red rose and a quick, souvenir-pose with Senior Community Counselor, Victoria Paton.

Victoria has been the Counselor for Potomac, Bethesda, Cabin John and Glen Echo full-time for more than 17 (amazing!) years… Serving 65 Host Families and their Au Pairs annually.

Awards included “Best Lullaby Singer”, “Most Thoughtful”, “Best Listener and Cheerer”, “Most Willing to Help All the Time”, “Best Math Tutor”, even “Best Penguin Whisperer”…clearly an inside joke with Host Family and Au Pair!

Mariana from Mexico cares for 5 children…like a family member.

Cara from South Africa finishing her 2nd year.

Kerstin from Germany

Awards continued for each of over 50 Au Pairs: “Best Big Sister”, “Best Treasure Hunt Maker”, “Best Polish Pancake Maker”, “Most Stylish Au Pair”, “Best at Being Positive About Everything”, and “Best Baby Smile Maker.”

The award explanations were touching:

Nadine from Germany

 

 

“When I am home I can hear my little boy giggle and laugh with her…she treats my son as her own and loves him with an open-heart.”

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“This has been a difficult year with a grandpa’s illness but our Au pair remembers every piece of baseball equipment and sits through karate practices and cheers on our kids. We love her!”

Some were most heart-felt and  brought tears to all…

Nam from Thailand

Robin is doing her 2nd round as an Au Pair having been an Au Pair 2 years ago and is now back with a new family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Every night at bedtime, our family sings an old, irish lullaby passed down from grandma. It’s always hard for Spanish speakers but our Au Pair has learned it well and sings it with gusto!”

“We, Host Parents, think our Au Pair is a great, calming presence in our home. She is great with the kids, engages them openly. She is reliable and unflappable.”

    

 

 

 

At the end of our evening, each Au Pair selected a red balloon and wrote on the paper attached her wish or dream for the coming year. Then we all went outdoors and let them fly into the evening sky. There was a light breeze so all but one made it past the trees and on to points beyond. For many Au Pairs, they had never done such a thing.

And finally, each Au Pair went home with a goodie bag of fun items…and a warm feeling in her heart.

And, least we forget, the GROUP PHOTO…what fun trying to get us all into the width of a lens!

Oh, what a night!

Au Pairs Get Certified at MEGA American Red Cross Class

On a chilly Sunday, 35 Au Pairs traveled from all over the DC Region to become certified by the American Red Cross in Infant/Child CPR & First Aid.

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Au Pairs from Thailand work as a team to remove blockage from baby’s airway.

The class was offered free of charge to Au Pairs by Au Pair in America and was hosted by Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac, Maryland.

Baby AnneAll the young women care for small children every day as Au Pairs and they realize the importance of these lifesaving skills. They were at full attention for 5 1/2 hours for hands-on practice, lecture and videos depicting real-life  situations.

View a video of this class as the Au Pairs learn to rescue a “choking baby”.

Frank and his team from Red Cross supplied 20 “Baby Anne” dolls which permitted hands-on practice with realistic chest compression and chest rise as well as life-like nose pinch for mouth-to-nose ventilation. The “Baby Anne” dolls also were realistic to react to foreign-body airway obstruction through back blows and chest-thrust

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Elise from France and Sabrina from Germany, who had never met before, became fast friends as they tended to each others’ “wounds”.

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A good-spirited Au Pair from Colombia volunteered to be an accident victim bandaged by our class instructor in a  lesson on bleeding and broken bones.

 

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Marta from Poland worked with Nam from Thailand to “stop bleeding”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 35 Au Pairs from South Africa, Colombia, Thailand, Brazil, Germany, Poland etc. now are officially certified by the American Red Cross for 2 years, and received a large, lapel pin to wear with pride.

 

Bravo to these young women who voluntarily gave up their free time on a Sunday, to increase their childcare skills!

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All eyes on Frank from American Red Cross as he demonstrated what to do for a bloody or broken nose.

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Educational Opportunities for Au Pairs in Maryland

students-in-classroom-taking-testSenior Community Counselor, Victoria Paton, enjoys working with her Au Pairs to prepare an “Individualized Education Plan”  based on each Au Pair’s interests, free time and goals…

PLEASE MEET WITH VICTORIA WHEN SHE HOLDS PERIODIC MEETINGS ABOUT COLLEGE –

COLLEGES AND CLASSES:

ALL THESE BELOW ARE APPROVED FOR AU PAIRS IN MY CLUSTER:

ESL – IF YOU NEED ENGLISH CLASSES LOOK HERE:

LADO College for English Classes

    •  Details: Intensive, Semi-intensive, and TOEFL Prep Classes
    • Credits: varies depending on class
    • Cost: $70 registration fee. Tuition = $765 – $595 for Intensive; $540 for Semi-Intensive; $280 for Saturday (10% APIA tuition discount)\
    • Schedule: Weekday, evening, and weekend courses offered year-round, starting periodically
    • Placement: Testing offered daily
    • Locations:
      • DC (Archives, Gallery Place, Metro Center)
      • Arlington, VA (Rosslyn Metro)
      • Silver Spring, MD (Silver Spring Metro)

Georgetown University – Continuing Studies in English – classes are at night

    • Details: Business Writing, Business Communications, Grammar, Integrated Communication Skills and TOEFL Prep
    • Credits: 3.6 CEUS/36 hours NOT “credits”
    • Cost: $500 (10% early registration discount)
    • Schedule: 9-week sessions
    • Placement: Mandatory placement tests – call for schedule
    • Location: Georgetown, DC (Take shuttle from Dupont Circle Metro)

International Language Institute (formerly English House) English Classes as well as other Foreign Languages

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE IN ROCKVILLE CAMPUS – offers English is 2 different sections of their campus. Talk to Victoria about which section of Montgomery College is best for your English studies:

1. Montgomery College – Credit Classes in English AELP – REQUIRES ESL ACCUPLACER TEST, APPLICATION AND APPOINTMENT REQUIRED

2. Montgomery College – NonCredit/Workforce Development APPE-REQUIRES ASSESSMENT TEST ON SPECIFIC DATES BUT NO APPLICATION REQUIRED

HERE ARE SOME FREE ENGLISH CLASS OPTIONS: These DO NOT COUNT TOWARD AU PAIR EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

 

ALL OTHER NON- ENGLISH LEARNING CLASSES ARE HERE!!

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE HAS 3 CAMPUSES – Rockville, Germantown and Takoma Park. Please speak to your Host Family about which is best. Rockville is nearest, but Germantown and Takoma Park are not that far away and can be reached without going on a highway.

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE HAS TWO OPTIONS:

1. Montgomery College Credit Department

  • Courses in “credits”
  • Placement: Requires ESL Accuplacer (if your first language is not English)must be taken after an application submitted. Appointment for test must be made and results meeting attended
  • Details: On a strict Fall, Spring, Summer semester basis
  • Cost: Approx $140/credit and Au Pairs pay In-County price with presentation of a B&I form

2. Montgomery College Continuing Education and Workforce Development

  • Courses in “hours”
  • Placement: No test required for non- ESL classes
  • Details: On a flexible Fall, Spring, Summer semester basis
  • Cost: listed in brochure. Au Pairs pay In-County price with presentation of a B&I form
  • Location: Rockville, Germantown or Takoma Park campuses

Montgomery College Continuing Education – Hospitality and Event Management Department

Montgomery College – Continuing Education – Cosmetology Department

University of Virgin Islands, DC – International Program

    • Details: Courses include Understanding American Government, sign-language, DC history and culture, psychology, photography, animation, claymation and more
    • Credits: Between 20-40 hours and varies by course
    • Cost: Varies by course
    • Locations: Throughout the DC Metro area

Stratford University Event Survey Course and Culinary Training

  • Details: Event Survey Course (event management, hospitality, and tourism) Contact Alice Conway for more details (aconway @ stratford.edu)
  • Credits: 45 hours or 3 credits
  • Cost: Registration fee = $50. Tuition = $350
  • Schedule: Sept 7-October 12 (10 am-2 pm on Thursdays)
  • Location: Alexandria (Eisenhower Ave Metro)

 

  • Details: Culinary and Nutrition Course (American Cooking Skills, nutrition, menu development and hands-on meal prep)
  • Credits: 45 hours or 3 credits
  • Location: Alexandria (Eisenhower Avenue Metro) – many Host Families believe this is too far to drive – traffic can be very bad. Metro requires changing trains which can take time.
  • Cost: $500

 

WEEKEND COURSES/ TRAVEL COURSES

CW Post Long Island Au Pair Wend Courses in Greenvale, NY

  • Details: Weekend classes in American Culture, Business Marketing, English Study and Child Development
  • Credits: 3 credits/weekend
  • Cost $369 (includes course materials, lodging and meals). Transportation by train to NYC or flight from BWI to Islip are at Au Pair’s expense

“Travel Courses” at Borough of Manhattan Community College – Weekend Courses in VA an236d DC with Travel Component

Details: Attend class in DC or VA and then take a study trip to learn first-hand about the destination with a visit. Destinations include: Nashville, Niagara Falls, Chicago, Montreal, New York, New Orleans, Amish Country in Pennsylvania.

Credits: 40 hours/ 4 CEUs or 32 hours/3.2 CEUs (not “credits”!!)

Cost: Varies by class

“MUSEUM CLASSES” AND OTHER WEEKEND CLASSES AT VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

  • Details: Look at their Saturday schedule of classes that take place in DC Museums.
  • Each week a different museum and you sign up online. Registration and classes are on-going throughout the year.
  • Credits: Each class is 5 HOURS.
  • Cost: Tuition is $40 per class + $20 application fee for new students. Please note that tuition and application fees are non-refundable.

 

 

Other Weekend Classes located at Universities all over the US, including California, New York, Florida, NC, SC, Virginia, and others. Click on this link to learn more details.

 

ONLY ONLINE COURSE: UCLA Extension class is the ONLY on-line class approved by Department of State for Au Pairs

APIA Advantage – UCLA Extension Program  (only ONLINE course allowed – 6 credits)

  • Credits: 6 credits
  • Cost: $500
  • Schedule January 9 – May 22, 2017

 

 

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS AND TIPS FOR AU PAIRS – Important to read

 

 

 

Victoria’s Cluster Had a Very Krispy Kreme Christmas 2016

Oh what fun it was to spend an evening with the great young women in my cluster from all over the world having laughs with each other and sharing the holidays!

This is the 16th Au Pair Christmas Party for Victoria Paton, the Senior Community Counselor for the Potomac Shoreline Cluster of Au Pair in America (Potomac, Bethesda, Cabin John and Glen Echo, Maryland who says “It is very important for me to make Christmas special for my Au Pairs as it may be their first time ever to be away from family at the holidays”.

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Kerstin from Germany and Julia from Brazil share the holiday spirit

We all gathered on a Friday night for lots and lots of donuts at Krispy Kreme in Rockville, Maryalnd who were great hosts and very interested in the fun the Au Pairs were having.

Each Au Pair signed in, selected a holiday hat, dropped a pre-wrapped gift into a Santa’s sack,  and settled in for laughs and activities.

The Grab Bag game with Mr and Mrs. Wright (Right/left game) was a giggle.  Some Au Pairs were surprised that the gift they pulled from Santa’s sack would go right and left several times before they received the package she could open.

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Nadine from Germany loved her stocking

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Maddie from S. Africa will enjoy her Starbucks card

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Nam from Thailand opened a fabulous JCrew broach.

 

 

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Melisha from S. Africa said she really needed those fluffy mittens

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Marlies from Austria and Anna from Poland critique their over-head drawings.

We even had an ugly Christmas outfit competition won by “Miss Thailand” who was dressed as a Christmas Tree complete with pine cone, dangling earrings!

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Daria from Poland is dreaming of a wonderful Christmas in America!

 

 

 

 

 

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Seshnie and Shantal are sisters in our cluster from S. Africa and they did a fantastic job with tree decoration. Both are in their 2nd Year.

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Jenny and Nicki (who also has a sister in our cluster) from Germany and Shantal from S. Africa decorated trees for the 2nd year! Judit just arrived Thursday night from Austria and Seshnie is about to start her Year2.

 

Lastly, Au Pairs decorated several small trees to be raffled off and taken home to decorate an Au Pair’s room at the holidays.

Au Pairs Prepared for Winter Driving with Special AAA Class!

Just in time to be ready for the cold temps and possible snow soon to arrive to the DC area. Au Pairs in Victoria Paton’s and Imelda Farrells’s clusters met last week at the Cabin John Volunteer Fire Department for a class on Winter Driving with AAA Mid Atlantic (and former police officer) Joe Beddick.

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The 60 Au Pairs learned about preparing a car for winter driving, clearing car of snow, going slow etc.

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After his talk, Mr. Beddick, showed some very real videos about what happens when drivers are distracted by phone or texting etc., reminding them that it is illegal in the state of Maryland.20161129_200517

At the end of the meeting, Counselors raffled off prizes such as snow melt, snow scrapers, hand warmers, gloves, shovels etc. for Au Pairs to keep in their cars…just in case.

Brrrrr!!

Perfect Day at Pumpkin Patch!

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About 40 Au Pairs from Au Pair in America in Montgomery County joined their Counselors for a Hay Ride and visit to the Pumpkin Patch at Homestead Farm in Poolesville, Maryland.

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Senior Counselor, Imelda Farrell, stands to capture a photo of Au Pairs in her hay wagon.

 

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Victoria Paton, Senior Community Counselor for Au Pair in America in Potomac, Bethesda, Cabin John and Glen Echo with a small group of her Au Pairs from Poland, Germany, Mexico and South Africa.

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The Au Pairs were visibly delighted to see the great expanse of farmland they didn’t realize existed so near to suburban Washington DC.

Each Au Pair took home a pumpkin of their choice, had a picnic, and some even stayed to pick apples from the trees along with hundreds of American families and their children who were making a day of it at the farm.

We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful Autumn day to treat these Au forPairs!

First Day of School – WATCH OUT FOR SCHOOL BUSES

School for most students in Montgomery County begins on Monday, 8/29. Wibusth that come the thousands of school buses on the roads which transport children to Elementary, Middle and High Schools in the morning and afternoons.

Please look at this video today. Eventhough it is by a news crew in Kansas City, it still is valid to all drivers.

LOOK at these examples of what to do in various road types…

passingbuses

Here is an article from BETHESDA PATCH which explains:

What to Do When Approaching a School Bus

  • When a school bus stops, the flashing red lights go on and the stop sign flaps come out, drivers in BOTH directions are required to stop. This is the most dangerous time with children getting on or off the bus.
  • It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus with its flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended.
  • Never pass on the right side of the bus, where children enter or exit. This is illegal and can have tragic results.
  • Two-lane road: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic in both directions, must stop.
  • Two-lane road with center turn lane: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic in both directions, must stop.
  • Four-lane road without a center median: When a school bus stops for passengers, all traffic in both directions, must stop.
  • Divided highway of four lanes or more with a center median: When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.

Tips for Kids, Parents

  • When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.
  • Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s OK before stepping onto the bus.
  • When getting off the bus, look before stepping off the bus to be sure no cars are passing on the shoulder (side of the road). Move away from the bus.
  • Before crossing the street, take five “giant steps” out from the front of the bus, or until the driver’s face can be seen. Wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross.
  • Look left-right-left when coming to the edge of the bus to make sure traffic is stopped. Keep watching traffic when crossing.
  • Use the handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings, and bookbags with straps don’t get caught in the handrails or doors.
  • Never walk behind the bus.
  • Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
  • If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

 

Bethesda Big Train Baseball was a BIG Hit with Au Pairs!

IMG951936What could be more American than baseball in the hot summer sun?  Many Au Pairs joined Victoria Paton and Imelda Farrell for a Friday evening of minor league baseball with at a Bethesda Big Train game.af9690593ed42c34a078b1fa42b8899d.300

Au Pairs were treated to dances with the mascot. A few took home t-shirts that were shot into the audience between innings.

 

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