Tag Archives: new orleans au pair

Saint Valentine's Day

A little history about Saint Valentine’s Day:

On Thursday, February 14th we celebrate Valentine’s Day in the United States by giving flowers, candy and cards to those we love. We do this in honor of Saint Valentine. You may be wondering, “Who is St. Valentine”? Time to brush up on your Valentine’s history!

Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. The Emperor at that time, Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger army. Supposedly, Valentine, decided this decree was not fair and married young couples in secret. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine’s actions he had his head cut off making him a martyr of love.  Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor’s daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first ‘valentine’ himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it ‘Your Valentine’, words still used on cards today.

Perhaps we’ll never know the true identity and story behind the man named St. Valentine, but this much is for sure…February has been the month to celebrate love for a long time, dating back to the Middle Ages. In fact, Valentines ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent.   For some fun children’s activities including crafts, coloring pages, games, puzzles and poems go to:

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/valentines/index.htm

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/valentines-day/

Flu Season – Helpful Tips

Dear host families and au pairs,

See below helpful tips from the Center for Disease Control on preventing the spread of germs and dealing with flu-like symptoms.

Since some of the recommendations are open to interpretation (ex. avoid contact with sick people), it is recommended that host families and au pairs discuss the proper procedures in sufficient detail to make it clear what is appropriate and expected in a given household.

Helpful Tips

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has helpful tips on everyday preventive actions to STOP the spread of germs:

1. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

2.  If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

3. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

4. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

5. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based rub.

6.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

7. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

8. To find out more information about the flu and how it may affect you visit the CDC website at cdc.gov

Puppets

PUPPETS are a wonderful way to enjoy art and drama and to develop language skills.
They can be used with all ages of children.  The youngest children can watch you perform and talk to the puppet.  Starting at about age 3 the children can help make the puppets and put on simple ‘shows.’  You can make a puppet from almost anything.  Here are some ideas to get you started.

Finger puppets:
♦ Draw a face on your fingertip.
♦ Draw on strips of paper and tape them around your fingers to make different characters.
♦ Decorate the fingertips of an old glove with felt, yarn for hair and beads or buttons for eyes;
make a whole family on one hand.
♦ Cut out simple animal or people outlines on cardboard.  Do not include legs or feet but leave a wide bottom edge.  Cut out two holes near the bottom – large enough to put a finger through each hole.  Your fingers can make this kind of puppet dance or walk.
♦ Almost anything slipped over your fingertip can make a puppet – try making faces on a paper cup, or a ball.  Put a cloth napkin over your hand first to give the puppet some clothes.
♦ A toilet paper tube can be used vertically for a soldier or other figure, or horizontally for a dragon or other long animals.  Just put the tube over your finger to make it move.
Stick puppets:
♦ Make a drawing of an animal or person and glue it to the end of a Popsicle stick.  You can drawhair or make the hair more interesting using curled paper.
♦ Cut out photographs of members of the family or friends and glue them to sticks.  You can act out real family events.
Sock Puppets:
♦ A simple puppet can be made from an old sock by adding hair and eyes.  Put your thumb in the heel and your fingers in the toe of the sock to make the mouth.
♦ For a fancier version cut a plastic lid in half and then tape it together to make a hinge.  Glue this mouth in place at the toe end of a sock.  This makes a great dragon.
Paper Bag Puppets:
♦ Take a lunch size paper bag and draw a face on the flap at the bottom of the bag.  Glue on hair, ears or other features.  Put your hand inside the bag.  Move the flap up and down to make the puppet talk.
♦ To make an owl glue or draw eyes under the flap.  Draw eyelids and eyelashes on the flap.  Add wings, ears and feet.  When you move the flap up and down the owl will blink.
Making a Stage for the Puppets
♦ Hide behind the back of a couch.
♦ Use the edge of a table covered with a tablecloth or turn a table on its side on the floor.
♦ Balance a mop handle or broom stick between two chairs and hang a large towel or blanket over the stick to make a stage.
♦ Make a puppet theatre out of a large cardboard box (appliance size).  Cut a window for the
puppets.  Operate the puppets from inside.

Enjoy the show!

French Connection

Visit to France by Mr. Jay Dardenne, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (October 17)

Yamina Benguigui, Minister Delegate for Francophonie received Mr. Jay Dardenne, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana. Several educational, linguistic and cultural agreements between France and Louisiana were signed on this occasion.

These cooperation agreements notably included:

– an initial training program for francophone Louisiana teachers in partnership with French universities,

– the creation of a quality label for immersion schools and the extension of the immersion model to high schools with the development of vocational training programs that meet the specific requirements of the local economy,

– the certification of students’ language proficiency through a French diploma.

This strengthening of educational and linguistic cooperation marks an important step in the cooperation initiated with Louisiana 40 years ago.

The popularity of French language immersion schools in the area confirms close cultural ties existing between France and Louisiana. Many French au pairs who participate in APIA program bring French culture and language into the local host families’ homes too.

APIA Participates in Gulf Coast Bank’s Auctions

Joining local businesses and organizations, Au Pair in America participates in Gulf Coast Bank’s Fifth Annual AUCTIONS IN AUGUST by donating $1,200 certificate off APIA program fees.

The silent auction event is designed to benefit local charities and non-profits and is being hosted at the Bank’s sixteen branches as well as online at: http://www.gulfbank.com/aaAuctionsInAugust.asp

APIA logo

Au Pair in America – $1,200 Certificate off Program Fees

Special certificate entitles new host family to $1,200 off program fees from Au Pair in America when it is returned with completed host family application. Not to be combined with any other offer. Certificate expires 12/3/2012.

Proceeds from the donation will go to Louisiana Children’s Museum.

To bid on the $1,200 certificate please visit Gulf Coast Bank location in Lakeview

848 Harrison Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70124
Phone: 504-539-7300
Branch Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday 9:00am – 12:00pm

Holiday Cheer

Potluck and gift exchange were on the agenda for the December cluster meeting. Just for the fun of it, au pairs unwrapped the presents while wearing oven mitts. It was a challenge, but they completed the task with great alacrity. They also had fun swapping tips on Christmas shopping and discussing holiday plans and winter break activities with their host kids.NOLxmas2011pt1NOLxmas2011pt2NOLxmasgiftsNOLxmasSuziRaelee

Pumpkin Patch at Perrilloux Farms

In celebration of the fall and anticipation of Halloween, au pairs visited the pumpkin patch at Perrilloux Farms in Montz, Louisiana. After a short wagon ride to the field, each au pair set out in search of that one perfect pumpkin to carve with the assistance of host children and put on the doorstep for decoration. The search proved to be both enjoyable and fruitful… or pumpkinful!NOLpumpkinpatchNOLwagonrideNOLcleaningpumpkins

APIA Promotion Deadline — Save $700

Promotion Deadline Reminder:
Apply by April 30 and Save $700!

families_welcome

Apply before Saturday, April 30, 2011, and we will waive the $350 application fee.

Save an additional $350 when you match by June 30th, 2011! Register today to access to hundreds of au pair profiles with no obligation.

Learn more about these special offer for host families by contacting Alex Ramirez at (800) 928-7247 ext. 5161 or at aramirez@aifs.com.