Yearly Archives: 2016

Giving Thanks and Giving Back

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We had a wonderful cluster meeting last night that focused on the importance of giving thanks and giving back!  The au pairs packed hundreds of snack bags for children served by the Cornerstone programs in Reston.  We also collected a box full of school supplies for Art for Humanity in Honduras – Art for Humanity built a school for young women called the Leadership Center and is now sponsoring an elementary school in a very small town in Honduras.

To add fun to the preparation of the snack packs, the au pairs also had a pie tasting contest and for the 2nd year in a row Pecan Pie won!

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Ice Cream Sundae night!

For our cluster meeting last night we all met for an Ice Cream Sundae night! Many au pairs came to enjoy a relaxing summer evening and make their own sundae!

With summer comes many new arrivals, which is exciting! Sadly summer also means many goodbyes (never as fun) but it was great to hear from au pairs who have been here for a long time… they were able to share their best memories, some challenges, and give great advise to the new members of our group.

Another great cluster meeting!

Sunday, May 1st at Nationals Park – DC Metro Area Cultural Fair is Open 1-4pm

Sunday, looks to be a rainy day… so head out to Nationals Park to spend the afternoon warm and dry indoors at the DC Metro Area Cultural Fair.

Each child will receive a passport and can travel from country to country (35 in all!) as Au Pairs from our area present what is wonderful about their countries.  There will be performances all afternoon, plus face painting and coloring of international place mats to take home!

RSVP here.   Don’t have time to RSVP or want to decide last minute?  No problem!

Just show up and you will be more than welcome!

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Passover

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Passover begins at sundown tomorrow, Friday April 22nd.  Passover is an eight day celebration observed each year in the Jewish religion. It commemorates the freedom of Jewish slaves from Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II.   Families celebrate Passover by having a seder. With special foods, songs, and customs, the Seder is the focal point of the Passover celebration. Seder means order, and the Passover story is read in order from a book called a haggadah. Click here to read  the Passover story http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/passover/kids-stories/the-story-of-moses.html

Join us for a Cultural Fair at Nationals Park

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Click here for more information

Sunday, May 1, 2016 | 1–4pm Nationals Park, Norfolk Southern Club 1500 South Capitol Street, SE Washington, DC

Help us celebrate 30 years of Au Pair in America and the U.S. Department of State’s au pair program! You’re invited to a fun afternoon of educational country displays, performances by au pairs, a photo op, face painting, and other fun activities for children. Au Pair in America staff, host families and au pairs from over 30 countries will be in attendance. Come learn about the au pair program and enjoy a fun and educational afternoon!

Please RSVP by April 15th

Click here to RSVP

Click here to RSVP

We hope to see you there!

To get there by Metro: Take the Green Line to Navy Yard/Ballpark.
If driving: Free parking in Lot B for all attendees.
Entrance: Centerfield gate and take the ramp/escalator to reach the club.

How to survive in this Winter Wonderland!

Winter - Michael Hodge

From Dominique Ortiz, Community Counselor in Arlington, VA:

A is for Art- try drawing, painting. gluing or modeling with clay

B is for Baking-make a special dessert for dinner

C is for Cocoa-mix some up to warm up, cool slightly to serve

D is for Dance-put on a lively tape

E is for  Exercise- try to do something active everyday

F is for  Friends-invite some over

G is for Greenhouse-stop to smell the flowers

H is for House-make one from a large appliance box

I is for Ice skating-find a public indoor or out rink

J is for Jigsaw puzzle- try making your own from magazine pictures

K is for Kazoo- make your own marching band instruments and have a parade

L is for Library- borrow some book to read- look for The Snowy Day by Keats

M is for Movie-make or watch one

N is for Necklace- make one with noodles, or fruit loops with licorice

O is for Ocean- put out beach towels wear a bathing suit and pretend to be there

P is for Puppets-make them with old socks and paper bags

Q is for Quiet time-everyone need one daily

R is for Reading aloud- do this everyday

S is for Seeds & Suet-feed and watch the birds and see how many you already know

T is for Tent-make one from blanket and chairs

U is for Unplugged-do a day without TV

V is for  Variety- try something new every day

W is for Walk-take one in any weather

X is for X marks the spot-hide a treat and create a treasure hunt with a map

Y is for Year- make a calendar or scrapbook

Z is for Zoo-visit the animals or make your own zoo with stuffed animals and blocks

Photo by Michael Hodge

Self Defense Class

Last night our Au Pairs were able to go to the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Training Academy for a self defense class with a great Officer.

The program was based on realistic, common sense, safety precautions/practices, and strategies we can implement to stay safe and avoid confrontations. The officer highlighted day to day activities, and some simple precautions we can take to minimize being identified as a potential target.

We also discussed strategies and possible options (both verbal and physical) to reduce the possibility of injury in the event of a physical confrontation.

Everyone had a great time and learned many new tricks to stay safe!

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