Monthly Archives: November 2012

Parades and gingerbread houses!

December 1st

    • Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit: “Songs of the Holidays,” Historic Kenmore, 1201  Washington Ave.  Opens at noon today and then runs daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibit and tour of Kenmore: Adults $10, students $5, under age 6 free. Exhibit only: Adults $5, students $2.50.  Runs through Dec. 30. 540/370-0732.
    • 27th annual Pancake Feast, Fredericksburg Baptist Church (Caroline Street entrance). Sponsored by Rappahannock Rotary. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5, under age 5 free. 540/846-9790.
    • Fredericksburg Jaycees Christmas Parade, downtown Fredericksburg. Marching bands and units, floats, Santa. 5:30 p.m.
    • Spotsylvania County Christmas Parade, starts at Spotsylvania Middle School, 1 p.m.
    • Celebrating the Spirit in Orange, Orange High School, 201 Selma Road. Holiday music by Shady Grove Baptist Church and Little Zion Baptist Church. 5 p.m.
  • 17th annual “Santaland,” 9441 Kings Highway (across from the OPP Shop), King George. Visit Santa and Mrs. Santa, storytime by the Snow Queen, Kids Only Shop, White Elephant sale. Sponsored by Woman’s Club of King George. 9 a.m. to noon. $1.
  • “Clara’s Tale Ballet,” James Monroe High School, 2300 Washington Ave. Based on The Nutcracker with a few twists and turns. Presented by Amyclae Dance Academy. 7 p.m. Adults $14, youth $10, ages 3 and younger free.

Don’t forget your classes!

The education component of the au pair program is a requirement of the State Department of the United States. The State department gives authorization for all au pair programs to exist.  When an au pair does not achieve her requirement, this puts all au pair agencies at risk. Completing your education hours is an important part of being an au pair and is required by your contract with Au Pair In America. Taking a course will provide yet another level of experience during your year and yields many skills that you can use to further your personal goals. You may also make new friends and professional contacts! I hope you enjoy your educational courses. If you need assistance finding a course or have questions, please call or email your counselor.

Some Important Tips:

  • Any course can be taken as long as it is taught from a college, university or technical college. Only those schools approved by the State department can be accepted. All of the schools listed on your resource page on the au pair web-site are acceptedhttp://www.aupairinamerica.com/state/georgia.asp
  • Your counselor can clarify any questions about a school.
  • The only online course currently being accepted by the State department is the UCLA au pair advantage online course. NO other on line course can be accepted.
  • 72-80 hours of education is required for standard au pairs.
  • 144-160 hours for Educare au pairs.
  • For a second year au pair, 36-40 hours is required for a six month extension and 72-80 hours for a nine or twelve month extension.
  • Credits and hours are different. Count the hours you are in a classroom.
  • At the end of your course, send your community counselor your documents showing the name of the school and the hours that you have achieved. Check your certificate. Some certificates do not show the number of hours. If the hours are not present on the certificate, you will need a letter from the school stating how many hours you have achieved. This information is needed by your counselor to insure your end of year completion bonus and flight home.
  • Host families reimburse tuition costs and costs of related materials (books and supplies) up to $500 for the first year. EduCare companions are reimbursed up to $1000 for the first year. If it will cost you more than $500 (or $1000 for EduCare) to meet the requirement, you must pay the additional expense, so plan carefully.
  • Your host family is required to provide transportation, including gasoline, parking, or public transportation costs (if applicable) to and from classes in your community. The cost of transportation is in addition to the $500/$1000 allocated to tuition and related fees. It is your host family’s responsibility to provide transportation or cover the transportation costs until you complete your educational requirement, even if the $500 education allowance has already been spent.
  • To extend your first au pair term, you will need to have proof of 72 hours. Send the documentation to your community counselor as soon as possible. You should plan to have your education requirement finished at the time you request an extension. This happens approximately three months before the end of your first term. Au pair In America requires 72 hours to be able to extend your au pair term. Without 72 hours, Au Pair In America will not accept your application to extend and you must go home at the end of your first year.

If you want to extend and have not completed all of the hours, but you do intend to have them finished before your first year ends, you will need to do the following:

1. Register for a class that will complete 72 hours of education by the end of your first term.

2. Send the registration confirmation or other documents showing proof of your registration to your community counselor as soon as possible. All proof of education must be given to your counselor before your deadline to extend.

3. At the time that you finish the course, another letter will need to be written by the school stating that you have now completed the course and the number of hours you have earned.

Your counselor is the best person to ask questions about your education requirement. Courses and colleges are constantly changing. Your counselor is always researching new and exciting courses that are appropriate for you.  If you are aware of a new resource, please let your counselor know!

For more information about your education requirement visithttp://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/education.asp#1

It’s election day!

Would you like to know more about the American political system?

Check out http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ for a simple presentation of information about the US government including elections.

Talk to the children about what you learned and create an Election Day theme at home: decorate in red, white and blue (how about colored napkins on the table?) Put out an American flag, and serve red, white and blue snacks. Blue and white corn chips with red salsa, vanilla ice cream with strawberries and blueberries or layers of colored Jell-o served with whipped cream.

Fall back on Sunday morning!

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When we change our clocks…

  • Daylight Saving Time begins for most of the United States at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March.
  • Time reverts to standard time at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of November. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time.

Twice a year, when Daylight Saving Time begins or ends, make it a habit to not only change your clocks, but do a few other semi-annual tasks that will improve safety in your home…

Do these things every 6 months when you reset your clocks:

  • Check and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Replace any smoke alarms older than ten years. Replace any CO alarms older than five years.
  • Prepare a disaster supply kit for your house (water, food, flashlights, batteries, blankets).
    Once you’ve created your home disaster kit, use the semi-annual time change to check its contents (including testing/replacing flashlight batteries).
  • A COLD winter is coming! Make a “winter car-emergency kit“now and put your vehicle! (Don’t know what to include? Do an Internet search for “car emergency kit” and you’ll find lots of ideas!)
    It’s a good idea to carry a car-emergency kit in your car year-round, but be sure to add cold-weather gear to your general car-emergency kit each fall. (Having a separate duffle/gear bag clearly marked “Cold Gear” specifically for your cold weather emergency gear makes it easy to add or take out of the car, seasonally.) Like a Boy Scout, “Be Prepared!”

Preparing for winter fun?

Winter Wonderland Festival @ Thornburg Middle School, November 03, 2012, from 10 am to 2 pm.

Come join the Music department, FBLA, NJHS, and SCA to celebrate Winter.

Everyone invited—bring the whole family!!!

Activities Include: · Secret Santa Shop · Stuffed animal walk · Create snowflakes · Create stuffed animals · Cookie decorating · Pictures with Santa · Snowball Toss · Holiday music · Scholastic Book Fair · Pizza, soda, water, donuts, coffee, & treats for sale! · Crafts and vendors!