Au Pair in America/Rhode Island will host a multi-cluster event at Providence Waterfire on July 26. Au Pairs from the entire New England region have been invited, friends are welcome, and anyone interested in learning more about Au Pair in America is welcome to stop by. We’ll have an opportunity to say “Farewell” to a few of our departing au pairs, who will be returning to their home countries this summer, and to welcome some of our newer arrivals. Cake is being served at 7:30 p.m. – before the Waterfire lighting (which will take place just after sunset at approximately 8:11 p.m.). Our meeting place is on the lawn next to Waterplace Restaurant. Look for red, white and blue balloons. 
Author Archives: Terry Sweeney
Happy 4th of July!
Known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. Most of our Au Pairs will be celebrating July 4 for the very first time — Enjoy!
Ramadan Kareem
At least one of our Rhode Island au pairs is familiar with (and will likely be celebrating) Ramadan, which begins today (Sunday, June 29). For those who are not familiar with this holiday, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran was sent down from heaven. It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of Ramadan and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation.
During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours (an hour before sunrise until sunset). At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. Traditionally the fast is broken by having a glass of water and eating a date. In the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning.
During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid (Mosque) for special prayers and studying the Quran. In addition to the five daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer is usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims spend the entire night in prayer.
One day during the last ten days of the month, Muslims celebrate the Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). It is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. And according to the Quran, this is when God determines the course of the world for the following year.
When the fast ends (the first day of the month of Shawwal) it is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation and for large meals. In some cities fairs are held to celebrate the end of the Fast of Ramadan.
June Cluster Meeting – Picnic at India Point Park
Rhode Island au pairs (along with Santiago, their much-loved Au Pair in America “mascot”) celebrated the official arrival of summer at their June cluster meeting – a picnic at India Point Park; and it was, indeed, a perfect summer day! We said goodbye to Eva, who will return to Spain on Tuesday, after having spent two years with us here in Rhode Island. We will miss her – but she has promised that she’ll come back to visit. Bon Voyage, Eva! We also had the opportunity to welcome two of our newest arrivals, Maylla (from France) and Macarena (from Panama) to their first cluster meeting.
Summer Safety Tips
During the summer months we need to take some added precautions to keep children safe in the sun and by the water. We recommend you review these safety tips together as a family to make sure everyone understands how important they are. Have a wonderful and safe summer.
•Avoid long periods of sun exposure especially between 10:00am and 4:00pm
•Apply sunscreen of at least 15 SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB rays should be worn on sunny and cloudy days
•Infants should be dressed in lightweight clothing covering as much skin as possible and brimmed hats to shade the face
•Stay hydrated, drink water throughout the day
•Intense activities and sports should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels
•Actively supervise children in and around the water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults
•When in the water there should be an adult at arms length from young children at all times
•Children who cannot swim or who are not strong swimmers should wear water wings or life jackets when in the water
•Never leave children or animals in a car unattended
Memorial Day in the United States
Au Pairs will be celebrating the Memorial Day Holiday weekend with host families, children and friends. This is a day of celebration — there will be parades, hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, a lot of people will be dressed in red, white and blue, and many American flags will be on display. Generally, the American Flag is flown at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, and is then raised to the top of the flag pole. Memorial Day is a day to remember those men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the United States of America. Following is information about the history of Memorial Day in the United States.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states then others followed. It is now celebrated on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays).
Americans honor those who have lost their lives by visiting cemeteries, placing flags and flowers on graves, flying the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon, attending parades and participating in the “National Moment of Remembrance” at 3.00pm.
Children can be a part of Memorial Day too. Here are some links to children’s activities:
http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdykws.htm
http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdymcr.htm
http://www.usmemorialday.org/activities/flag/index.htm
http://sunniebunniezz.com/memdyjbc.htm
“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” ~Maya Angelou
May Cluster Meeting – RISD Museum
Our May cluster meeting was held at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum, a prominent art museum in Providence which is affiliated with the well-known Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). We had the opportunity to view several collections, including Painting and Sculpture, Contemporary Art, and Andy Warhol’s photographs. We also had the opportunity to see an improv dance performance in the Grand Gallery. There is no admission fee to the RISD museum on Sundays and there is always a lot to see — so it’s a fun and interesting way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
April Cluster Meeting at Boston's Prudential Center
This month Rhode Island au pairs had the opportunity to join Boston area au pairs for a visit to the Prudential Center Skywalk Observatory. The skywalk is 50 floors above the City of Boston, and provides an astonishing view of the city and surrounding areas — Boston’s Hancock Tower, Fenway Park, the Boston Common and Public Garden, the Esplanade and Hatch Shell, the Charles River, MIT, Harvard University, and countless other Boston landmarks. Au pairs also had the chance to use interactive exhibits which provided them with a real flavor of the city’s distinctive culture and neighborhoods. Multimedia players were provided detailing the city’s historic past and current sites. The Prudential Center also features over 75 shops and restaurants, including Barnes & Noble, The Cheesecake Factory, Lacoste, Legal Sea Foods, Saks Fifth Avenue and Sephora.
March Cluster Event – Flashdance…The Musical
Rhode Island Au Pairs, along with guests from some of our Massachusetts clusters, recently enjoyed a fabulous performance of Flashdance at Providence Performing Arts Center!
It was an inspiring story, and the music, singing and dancing were unforgettable — A memorable evening for all at “PPAC”!
St. Patrick's Day – March 17
So what is it and who was St. Patrick? Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.Most of what is known about him comes from his two works; the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians. Many people ask the question ‘Why is the Shamrock the National Flower of Ireland ?’ According to folklore the reason is that St. Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans. St. Patrick’s Day was first publicly celebrated in Boston in 1737 where a large population of Irish immigrants resided. Nearly 200 years later, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ireland was held in Dublin in 1931. During the mid 90’s, the Irish government also began a campaign to promote tourism in Ireland on March 17th.
While many Catholics still quietly celebrate this day of religious observance by going to mass, St. Patrick’s Day has slowly evolved to become a celebration of Irish heritage. Through the years, along with legendary shamrocks, many symbols were included in festivities that are reflective of Ireland’s folklore, culture, and national identity (think leprechauns, ethnic cuisine, and wearing green). Other places that join in on this celebration include Japan, New Zealand, Argentina, and Canada. New York City hosts the largest St. Patrick’s Day in the world with around 150,000 marchers. In Chicago they turn the river green and other cities and towns all over America celebrate the day. You’ll find many restaurants serving traditional Irish cuisine next week with corned beef and cabbage being the most popular,
You can find some fun games and activities including coloring pages, word puzzles and recipes for children here: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/
Though Rhode Island au pairs will most likely be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family, we will not be having a St. Patrick’s Day Cluster Meeting Celebration this year — we will instead be enjoying a performance of “Flashdance-The Musical” at Providence Performing Arts Center for our March gathering. Here are a few photos of last year’s celebration — a “traditional” Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner!
