We don’t usually get a lot of snow here in Hampton Roads, but luckily, you can make your own snowflakes!
Cutting paper snowflakes is a fun and simple indoor winter activity. Here is a great video showing you how to cut some of your own. For younger kids it’s best to keep the designs simple to avoid frustration if they cut away too much and it tears.
For a great video about cutting paper snowflakes, click here.
Halloween is celebrated across the United States on October 31st. Not all, but most families will participate in some aspect of the Halloween holiday traditions. This may be a new experience for you so It is a good idea to talk to your host family ahead of time and find out how they celebrate.
Like many other holidays, Halloween has changed throughout history. Over 2,000 years ago people called the Celts lived in what is now Ireland, the UK, and parts of Northern France. November 1 was their New Year’s Day. They believed that the night before the New Year (October 31) was a time when the living and the dead came together.
More than a thousand years ago the Christian church named November 1st All Saints Day. This was a special holy day to honor the saints and other people who died for their religion. The night before All Hallows was called Hallows Eve. Later the name was changed to Halloween.
Like the Celts, the Europeans of that time also believed that the spirits of the dead would visit the earth on Halloween. They worried that evil spirits would cause problems or hurt them. So on that night people wore costumes that looked like ghosts or other evil creatures. They thought if they dressed like that, the spirits would think they were also dead and not harm them.
The tradition of Halloween was carried to America by the immigrating Europeans. Some of the traditions changed a little, though. For example, on Halloween in Europe some people would carry lanterns made from turnips. In America, pumpkins were more common. So people began putting candles inside them and using them as lanterns. That is why you see Jack ‘o lanterns today.
These days Halloween is not usually considered a religious holiday. It is primarily a fun day for children. Children dress up in costumes like people did a thousand years ago. But instead of worrying about evil spirits, they go from house to house. They knock on doors and say “trick or treat.” The owner of each house gives candy or something special to each trick or treater.
Here are some safety tips for next week:
Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century but did not become a federal holiday until the 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. Throughout its history, Columbus Day and the man who inspired it have generated controversy, and many alternatives to the holiday have appeared in recent years.
For more information about Columbus Day, go to http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/columbus-day.
For directions on making these adorable pizzas, visit https://www.pinterest.com/pin/454863631087692146/
Pizza is easy and fun to make and can be a nutritious meal for the children and is easy to make at home.
You will need a ready-made pizza dough or a ready-made crust, shredded mozzarella cheese and a jar of pizza sauce. First the dough or crust goes on a cookie sheet or pizza pan. Then spread the sauce, add the other toppings, and last of all, sprinkle the cheese. Bake as directed for the crust. Be careful, and keep the children away from the oven as the oven must be very hot to make a nice crusty pizza.
If you want to get a little fancier and try these Animal Face Pizzas, go to the site listed in the caption above.
It’s nice to get into the school day routine, but keep in mind that any children who are in grades K or higher will be off here and there throughout the school year, depending on what school district they attend. These are regular workdays for an au pair, unless your host parents tell you otherwise. As with any “school holiday” start making plans for activities with the kids now.
In addition to holiday in September (Labor Day, which is generally the day before the first day of school in Virginia) many public schools are also out additional days for teacher development and the end of the grading period. As with any holiday, it is up to the host family’s schedule whether you will have the holiday off. Please check with your host families before you assume you have this day off. Do not make any travel plans until you have received confirmation that you will not work on this day.
Host parents, please check your schedule to make sure that you are factoring in these hours and make adjustments as needed to stay within the State Department regulations not exceeding 10 hours per day or 45 hours per week.
With schools about to go back in session and many new au pairs who have recently arrived, I wanted to remind everyone about what to do in different situations with school buses. If you have questions, please ask myself or your host parents.
The rules regarding stopping for school buses are:
Police who observe a motorist failing to stop and remained stopped for a school bus, can issue the violator a citation which carries a $570.00 fine and 3 points. Drivers failing to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk can be issued a citation for $80.00, and drivers failing to exercise due caution when encountering children can be issued a citation for $70.00.
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 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 festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, family gatherings and barbecues.
This weekend you can count on enjoying traditional favorites such as hamburgers and hot dogs, chicken, ribs, potato salad, chips and watermelon.
A few facts about this Holiday!
· Fourth of July is the federal holiday marking the Colonies’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776,
· The Fourth of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941.
· The oldest, continuous Independence Day celebration in the United States is the 4th of July Parade in Bristol, Rhode Island; it began in 1785.
· The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence.
· Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the national bird but was overruled by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who wanted the bald eagle.
· The “Star Spangled Banner” was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812 and not decreed the official national anthem of the United States until 1931.
· In 1776, there were 2.5 million people living in the new nation. (Today there are over 311 million.)
· here are more than 30 towns nationwide that have the word “Liberty” in their names.
· Approximately 150 million hot dogs are consumed on this day. It’s the biggest hot dog holiday of the year.
Have fun with the children too, visit the link below for fun coloring pages, craft ideas, puzzles and games to celebrate the 4th of July holiday
It’s always important to make safe decisions, even as an adult.
Alcohol
It is illegal to drink alcohol in the United States if you are under 21
Using a fake ID is illegal. You can be arrested for using a fake ID.
Drinking and driving is extremely dangerous. It puts lives at risk. You should NEVER drink and drive.
Be a good friend and don’t let your friends drink and drive. Take turns being the designated driver to keep you and your friends safe.
Do not risk ending your participation on the program by drinking underage, it is not worth it!
Drugs
APIA is a drug free program, use of drugs is not allowed.
Even though Marijuana use is legal with restrictions in some states, it is still not allowed on our program.
Au pairs caught smoking marijuana or in possession of marijuana are not allowed to remain on the program.
Driving
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the car use rules and where you are allowed to take the car.
Be careful at night, park in well-lit safe places, avoid empty looking parking lots and indoor garages.
Do not use your phone or any electronic devices while driving, and never text and drive.
Let your host family and I know immediately if you get into an accident so we can help you.
We advise all au pairs to get an American driver’s license, it is the most commonly used form of ID in the USA. Here in the Virginia Beach area, there are police officers who do not recognize an International Driver’s license (even though it is legal to drive with one, and they should recognize them). If you are pulled over and the officer doesn’t recognize the license, for whatever reason, you will be detained until the situation is sorted out – even though it is legal to drive with an international license! Make things easy for yourself and get a Virginia license.
House Rules
Sometimes you may be home alone. Talk about the house rules with your host parents.
Talk about having friends over and find out what is allowed. Talk about overnight guests and male guests.
If you are over 21, talk to your host family about their house rules regarding alcohol use. Do not offer alcohol or buy alcohol for anyone who is under 21.
Social Media
Be sensible and safe about pictures you share on phones and on social media, nothing is private!
Do not share any personal information such as your address or phone number on social media.
Never give your social security number over the phone, in a text or on social media.
Be very cautious about texts/messages/pictures you send on a phone ~ you never know who might see them.
Always ask your host family for permission before posting pictures of the children on any social media site.
Be smart, be safe, and have a great year!
JUNE 2, 9:30 PM EDT: GOING HOME? TIPS FOR LEAVING THE US AND SETTLING IN AT HOME
JUNE 5, 9:30 PM EDT: HOMESICKNESS AND CULTURE SHOCK: MAKING IT THROUGH
JUNE 7, 11:00 AM EDT: HELP! MY KIDS ARE FIGHTING AGAIN
JUNE 7, 9:30 PM EDT: COOKING IN AMERICA: DIET, KITCHEN TIPS & ENGAGING THE KIDS
JUNE 14, 9:30 PM EDT: VISITORS FROM HOME? MAKING IT WORK FOR YOU, YOUR HOST FAMILY, AND YOUR GUESTS
JUNE 21, 9:30 PM EDT: NO TIME FOR BOREDOM: ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH PRESCHOOLERS
JUNE 28, 9:30 PM EDT: 100 ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WITH SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN
Au Pairs can register to attend at http://www.aupairinamerica.com/webinars.
Au Pairs who attend an entire session will receive an e-certificate for attendance.
AuPairs who attend 6 webinars between April 1 and June 30 will be entered into a raffle to receive a $250 Amazon Gift Card.*
*AuPairs must register for and attend 6 AuPair in America webinars held during the specified timeframe of April 1 through June 30, 2016 and must be in attendance the entire length of each webinar. AuPairs that leave the webinar before it is complete, will not receive credit for attending that particular webinar. Once an Au Pair completes her 6th webinar, her name will be entered into a raffle drawing, with the winner being awarded a $250 gift card from Amazon.com.
