Tag Archives: new orleans nanny

Beignets at Café du Monde

There is not a better and more iconic place in New Orleans for au pairs to reacquaint themselves with city after summer vacation than Café du Monde in the French Quarter. Excitement about new schedules, plans and goals both for au pairs and their host kids was enhanced and yes, sweetened, by copious amounts of sugar poured lavishly over delicious beignets.nolcafedumonde2016

Child Safety Tips

NOLSafety

Host families are advised to discuss child safety tips with their newly arrived au pairs and review them occasionally during the year to make au pairs are well informed and follow family’s safety rules.

Fire Safety

  • Never play with matches or cigarette lighters.  Both should be out of reach from young children.
  • Check with your family about an escape plan if there is a fire in the house.
  • Have emergency numbers posted by the telephone. Children can be taught to call these numbers in an emergency.
  • Know where a fire extinguisher is in the house and how to use it.
  • Make sure to turn the stove off after use.

Water Safety

  • Never leave children and infants unsupervised in a bathtub. Children can drown in a couple of inches of water.
  • Never leave buckets of water unattended around young children.
  • Make sure children are closely supervised when swimming in a pool.

Street Safety

  • Look both ways before crossing the street.
  • Discuss traffic lights – Green means go, Yellow means wait, Red means stop.
  • Never chase a ball into the street.
  • Streets are for cars – children should play in a yard, not the street.
  • Learn street signs and what they mean (STOP sign, CROSSWALK, etc.).
  • Never play behind parked cars on the driveway.
  • Watch carefully when walking behind parked cars.

Home Safety

  • Chemicals, bleaches, sharp knives, plastic bags, spray cans, pills and medications should all be out of reach from children.
  • Emergency Phone Numbers, including poison control center, should be posted near a telephone.
  • Inform children that leaves, stems and berries are not food and should be kept out of their mouths.   Never eat wild plants. Many of them are poisonous.   Never eat or touch toadstools that may grow around trees or in grass.
  • Unused electrical outlets should be covered.
  • Make sure smoke detectors are working.

Strangers

  • Never talk to strangers or go near a stranger’s car.
  • Do not accept money, candy or gifts from strangers.
  • Never take a ride from a stranger.

Au pairs should check with their host parents to clearly understand where children are permitted to go alone or with others. Children should always let their parents or au pair know where they are.

International Education Week

NOLflagsThis week, November 11-15, marks the 14th annual International Education Week (IEW) – an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.  This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of the U.S. Government’s effort to promote programs in the United States and overseas that prepare Americans for a global environment and that attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.

The IEW Website

The IEW 2013 website includes promotional materials, suggestions and resources for activities to hold during the week and beyond, information on a free virtual college fair, and opportunities to post and view planned events celebrating international educational exchanges around the world.

Be Inspired and take a moment to watch this video clip

IEW promotional video “International Education is for Everyone” shares  video messages from both Secretary Kerry and Secretary Duncan, will also be featured on the site!

We encourage the participation of all people and institutions interested in international education — schools, colleges and universities, embassies, international organizations, businesses, associations, and community organizations.  Please be sure to visit the IEW site and submit your events.

The latest Open Doors report reaffirms the United States as the destination of preference for international students and cites international student enrollments in U.S. higher education institutions are at the highest levels ever with 819,644 international students studying in the United States during the 2012-2013 academic year (Open Doors 2013). U.S. students who study abroad are choosing increasingly diverse locations overseas; 283,332 U.S. students studied abroad for academic credit during academic year 2011-2012 (Open Doors 2013).

Facebook

Help IEW with their goal of reaching 15,000 fans before the end of IEW by liking the Facebook page today!  You may also follow Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Ms. Evan Ryan on Twitter (@ECA_AS) and use hashtag #IEW2013 to join the discussion and receive updates on IEW.***

Thank you for your support of International Education Week!

Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States. His most famous address was the “I Have A Dream” speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968.  Shortly after he died, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. Following support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his single “Happy Birthday” and a petition with six million signatures, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000.

Martin Luther King Day is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background. Some educational establishments mark the day by teaching their pupils or students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. In recent years, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to give some of their time on this day as volunteers in citizen action groups.

Here are some fun activities to do with children on this holiday:

http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/mlk/games.htm