Michele & David Chazen

Kids, The School Bus, and You!

Posted by: mchazen on August 30, 2009

Kids, The School Bus, and You!

Sharing with everyone some great tips that were forwarded to me

• Author: mterlecki
• For twenty three million students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on a school bus. The greatest risk is not riding the bus, but approaching or leaving the bus. Before children go back to school or start school for the first time, it is essential that adults and children know traffic safety rules.

Drivers

• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
• When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.
• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in neighborhood.
• Slow down. Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street with out looking for traffic.
• Learn and obey the school bus laws in your state. Learn the “flashing signal light system” that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:
  • Yellow flashing lights indicate that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
  • Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped, and that children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Children

• Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
• When the bus approaches, stand at least three giant steps (6 feet) away from the curb, and line up away from the street.
• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says that it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.
• If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, walk on the sidewalk or along the side of the road to a point at least five giant steps (10 feet) ahead of the bus before you cross. Be sure that the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver
• Use the handrails to avoids falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings, and book bags with straps don’t get caught in the handrails or doors.
• Never walk behind the bus.
• Walk at least three giant steps away from the side of the bus.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.

Parents

• Teach children to follow these common sense practices to make school bus transportation safer.

Host Family / Au Pair Picnic

Posted by: mchazen on August 24, 2009

What a great time we had last week at our Host Family / Au Pair Picnic in Holmdel Park.  Here are just a few of the pictures. For more go to the photos page on top.  If you have additional pictures you would like to share please send them so they can added on.

Many of the families had a chance to meet one another. Host Children were setting playdates with each other and their au pairs.  It was just a great day and many new friendships were formed.

We even had a clown that did face painting and than a magic show that young and old seem to enjoy. Thank you Abercrombie Clowns.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at our next event

C.W. Post Weekend Classes For Au Pairs

Posted by: mchazen on August 20, 2009

C.W. Post in Long Island NY offers weekend classes. This is just one opportunity available for au pairs to fulfill the educational requirement. One weekend would be equal to 3 credits.   

 The Fall schedule and registration form  is now available. See below 

click-here-for-course-registration-form

 If you are interested in these classes register soon as they do fill up fast.  

Some of the classes that might be offered are:

• Celebration of Holidays: American Culture
• American Government, Politics and Social Issues
• TOEFL / English Exam Preparation Course
• Regional Identities: American Culture
• History of American Women: American History
• Maximizing Success through American Literature
• Music That Made America: History of American Music
• Changing American Family Cultural Dynamic and the American Society
• American Indian Cultures and Their Impact on American Society
• History of American Sports
• Growing Up in America
• Highlights of the Harlem Renaissance
• Storytelling: As a Way of Life: Exploring Traditions  

      For a complete description of these classes please click  - coursedescriptions

NEW YORK ANNUAL SCAVENGER HUNT

Posted by: mchazen on August 17, 2009

OUR SEPTEMBER MEETING WILL BE THE ANNUAL NEW YORK SCAVENGER HUNT

 SEE NEW YORK LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE WITH AU PAIRS FROM NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, CONNETICUT

WHEN: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH 10:30 A.M.

WHERE:  NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY (MID MANHATTAN)  

5^TH AVE. AND 40^TH STREET IN NEW YORK CITY            

 PLEASE ADVISE YOUR LCC IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING.

FRIENDS WELCOME- LET YOUR LCC KNOW IF YOU’RE FRIENDS ARE ATTENDING.

WEAR A CULTURAL CARE T-SHIRT FOR EXTRA POINTS

PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DONATE $1.OO TOWARDS KIDS FIRST

THERE WILL BE SMALL PRIZES AWARDED TO MANY TEAMS

PLEASE ARRIVE PROMPTLY AND LOOK FOR YOUR LCC WHO WILL SIGN YOU IN AND GIVE YOU DIRECTIONS.

NJ Drivers License

Posted by: mchazen on August 17, 2009

Many of you are reading the NJ Drivers Manual preparing to take the written exam. 

Here is a website that has some Interactive games to help you prepare for your state’s driver’s license exam.

 http://www.quia.com/de/njmain.html

If you have any questions about your license do not hestiate to give me a call

Brookdale Community College Non Credit Course Catalog

Posted by: mchazen on August 4, 2009

The brochure for non credit courses at Brookdale Community College  is now available on line at http://brookdalecc.edu

 Register now for fall 2009 courses! View the new non-credit course catalog by clicking this link  and call 732-224-2315 to register Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

All Au Pairs are required to take 6 credits per year. Non credit classes are also acceptable. All classes to meet the requirement must be at an accredited post-secondary school.  The catalog above and Brookdale CC does meet this requirement. For non credit classes 72-90 hours equals 6 credits.  Auditing a class is also acceptable.

Host families are required to give you up to $500.00 to complete this requirement.

If you have a question about any school or class do not hesitate to contact me.