Ways for Teachers to Relax During Winter Break

Ways for Teachers to Relax During Winter Break

by | Educators | 0 comments

It’s no secret that being a teacher makes it harder for you to relax. Your mind is always on the classroom.  Even when you have time to yourself after school or on the weekends you are stuck with grading, lesson planning, extracurriculars, supply shopping, etc. Teaching takes 110% of your energy, 100% of the time.

Even if you love teaching more than anything in the entire world, you will get burnt out fast if you don’t put school aside and take some time for yourself.

This winter break you need to put all thoughts of the classroom aside and make yourself a priority.

Here are some easy ways teachers can relax and reflect this winter break:

 

Find Quiet Time

Whether you have an extra 5 minutes when you get up in the morning or a free hour in the middle of the day, find the time to be alone and just breathe. Mediate, sip coffee, write your thoughts in a journal, read, or just close your eyes and relax.  

 

Stretch

It’s common knowledge that physical activity does wonders for the mind and body, but if weights and cardio aren’t your thing- we don’t blame you- find a simple activity that is, like stretching. Everyone can stretch no matter what age or fitness level. Use a few minutes when you get up in the morning to stretch out your muscles and release the tension, this will help your blood flow and your body will feel ready to take on the day.  

 

Laugh

Watch a movie, see a comedy show, call a friend, etc. Being without your kiddos and your teacher friends for a week or two may make you start to feel a little down in the dumps, but laughter is the best medicine for the winter blues. Find opportunities to laugh each day.  

 

Set Goals

If you are stressed about the rest of the school year and you just can’t seem to get it off your mind, take some time to write down a few goals for yourself and your classroom before the end of the school year. You don’t need to solve every problem this very second, but these goals should be stepping stones to help you solve them.  If you would rather not think about school, then write a few personal goals and where you would like to be in 2020. Once they are written, don’t dwell on them, there is nothing you can do until the beginning of the year. You have a game plan, so let it be until January.

 

Most Importantly: Do Something That Makes You Happy

If there is one thing that you do this winter break, be sure it’s something that makes you happy. Walk your dog, bake Christmas candy, watch Elf 20 times in a row, paint, do yoga, visit friends and family, anything that puts a smile on your face. Be selfish about taking time to do these things, as a teacher your time is never really your own, so use this break to do things that you want to do, even if that means cancelling other plans.

 

Taking care of your self will be beneficial for both you and your students when you all come back in January. If you get the proper rest and relaxation over break, you are guaranteed to come back happier and less stressed, and that will make you a more effective teacher in the classroom.

Now, we just have to get to winter break….. But don’t worry the countdown is on! How many days do you have left in the year?  

 

Related Articles:

5 Ways to Help Students Set Their Own Classroom Goals

Simple Ways Educators Can Ease Back Into School

Making Morning Meetings a Part of Your School Day

8 Easy Classroom Behavior Management Tools and Apps    

 

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.

                       

Porch Pirates – Tips to Prevent Stolen Packages

Porch Pirates – Tips to Prevent Stolen Packages

by | Safety | 0 comments

It’s December and the holiday season is quickly approaching! That means an abundance of packages are going to be arriving at homes across the country from now until Christmas Day. Unfortunately, that also means there is also going to be an abundance of thieves waiting for the perfect moment to snatch those packages up and claim them for their own.

Porch Pirates are the real deal, and if you think you are secure just because you know and trust your neighbors, think again.  Almost 26 million Americans say they have had a package stolen from their home during the holidays. That is about 8% of the population!

It could happen in any neighborhood, in fact, most instances involve strangers following delivery vehicles or driving through neighborhoods, that are not theirs, and stealing packages from porches and doorsteps.

So what can you do to protect the surplus of online gifts that will soon be arriving at your door?

Here are some tips to avoid Porch Pirates.

  1. Schedule deliveries for times you will be home, to your workplace, or an alternative address like a close relative’s home or an Amazon Locker. Some police stations and grocery stores even offer residents the opportunity to send holiday packages to their office for pick up!
  2. Install a security camera, or use a video doorbell, like Ring or Google Nest, so you can monitor your front porch.
  3. Leave the carrier specific instructions on where to drop off your package. Choose an area that is tucked away and cannot be seen from the road, like behind a bush, bench, column, or on a screened-in porch.
  4. Track your shipment closely online.
  5. Require a signature for drop off.
  6. Request a delivery confirmation from the carrier once your package arrives.

Porch Pirates are very sneaky, and often strike in broad daylight. If you witness suspicious activity immediately inform your local police department. If you are a victim, call 9-1-1 and file a claim with your carrier.

Have a happy and safe holiday season, from all of us at CalCas!

 

Related Articles:

10 Must Do’s to Protect Yourself on Cyber Monday

Protect Your Home and Family – Know It. Do it.

Tips to Prevent a Summer Burglary

 

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.

Last-Minute Thanksgiving Dishes

Last-Minute Thanksgiving Dishes

by | News | 0 comments

‘Twas two nights before Thanksgiving…..

The Turkeys are busy unthawing and the smell of pumpkin & pecan pie lingers in the air. To some, it’s a comforting feeling, to have everything all planned and in the process of creation for their Thanksgiving feast, but to others, the mere thought of cooking for Thanksgiving dinner may bring anxiety- we’re looking at you, procrastinators.

If you are like the majority of the working class, you have yet to prepare much for your big dinner. Or, worst-case scenario, maybe some of you haven’t even been to the grocery store yet to buy supplies! Have no fear, we have created a list of simple, easy, last-minute Thanksgiving dishes that you can bring and show off to your family (just don’t tell them how long it took you to cook 😉 ).

Here are 10 Easy Thanksgiving Dishes:

 

1. Crock-Pot Fried Apples

 

thanksgiving dishes

 

2. Easy ~Cheesy~ Scalloped Potatoes

 

thanksgiving dishes

 

3. Slow Cooker Sweet Baby Carrots

thanksgiving recipes

 

4. Personal Pumpkin Pies

 

thanksgiving dishes

 

5. Loaded Southern Green Beans

 

thanksgiving dishes

 

6. Cranberry BBQ Meatballs

 

thanksgiving dishes

 

7. 5-Minute Pumpkin Cheesecake

 

thanksgiving dishes

 

8. Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball

 

thanksgiving dishes

 

9. Winter Fruit Salad

 

thanksgiving dishes

 

10. Meat & Cheese Tray

 

Thanksgiving Dishes

 

Check out our Pinterest board “Last-Minute Thanksgiving Recipes”  for more simple dish ideas! While you’re there, don’t forget to give us a follow at California Casualty to stay up to date on every new Thanksgiving classroom game and activity we discover! Scan our Pincode with your Pinterest camera to follow:

 

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. California Casualty does not own any of the photos in this post, all are sourced to their original owners. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.

 

 

 

California Casualty Delivers for CTA Member Evacuated by Fire

California Casualty Delivers for CTA Member Evacuated by Fire

by | In Your Community | 0 comments

CTA“California Casualty really cares about me and understands me,” said Windsor, California high school teacher Renee DuVander.

Renee wrote a glowing review of California Casualty on Facebook after the Kincade fire forced her to evacuate in October.

“Attention Teachers: California Casualty is amazing insurance…I reached out to my renter’s insurance (calcas.com) and asked about being reimbursed for my evacuation expenses. They covered everything! From fuel and food to socks and underwear (we didn’t pack enough). I started the claim on Wednesday and the money is in the bank today (Friday). The company takes care of teachers and I strongly encourage you to get a quote from them ASAP.”

Renee learned about California Casualty about 10 years ago when one of the company’s Field Marketing Managers made a school visit. At the time, Renee was struggling with the high cost of insuring her car.

“The California Casualty representative said ‘let me work out some numbers and see if it’s worth switching.’ When she was done, she cut my auto insurance in half. Ever since then, I have been California Casualty’s biggest fan. I want to share the great customer service and benefits with as many teachers as I can,” she added.

The claims help and guidance she received from California Casualty during her forced exodus cemented her positive feelings. “The claims representative, Ashley, was so nice and thorough. She talked me through everything and even coached me on how to submit my expenses and receipts. The electronic funds transfer was so fast, just two days, and that really relieved the stress of how was I going to pay for all of my evacuation costs.”

Renee’s message to other educators is that California Casualty is a company that treats each person as an individual, understands educators, and delivers on its promise to protect them.

“I knew California Casualty would take care of me, and they did. I want all of my teacher friends to enjoy the same customer service and benefits that I do, and that’s why I am spreading the word,” she said.

California Casualty has been a partner with CTA since 1951, providing auto and home/renters insurance to educators with special benefits tailored to the teaching profession. Learn more about this valuable CTA member benefit, and what California Casualty might do for you, at www.CTAMemberBenefits.org/calcas, or visit www.calcas.com/CTA.

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.

 

Winter Maintenance for Your Home and Auto

Winter Maintenance for Your Home and Auto

by | Auto Insurance Info, Homeowners Insurance Info | 0 comments

During the winter months, snow, sleet, ice, and freezing temperatures can really take a toll on your home and vehicle. Fortunately, there are some relatively easy things you can do to help protect your car and home from any serious damage from the effects of winter weather.

 

Winter Home Maintenance Tips:

  1. Check Your Pipes

Colder winter temperatures can cause frozen pipes in your home which has the potential to cause major damage. So, it’s important to make sure your home is properly heated and you take the necessary steps to prevent your pipes from bursting.

  1. Clean the Gutters

Remove all leaves and debris that have collected in gutters. This allows water from rain, snow, and ice run off to properly drain away from your home. Not only will this extend the life of the gutters, it also helps protect the foundation of your home.

  1. Seal Windows and Cracks

Drafts from cool air from outside can cause your heating bill to skyrocket.  If the cold air is getting in, that means the warm air is getting out. Heated air escaping your home may create an ice dam on your roof! Make sure you seal all cracks and leaks (especially in the attic), windows, and doors with caulk or weather stripping. And, don’t forget to cover air conditioning units.

  1. Winterize or Cover All Outdoor Items

Disconnect and drain hoses for winter storage and install a faucet cover to protect from freezing. If you have a sprinkler system, make sure it’s properly winterized. Place any lawn equipment or patio furniture in a safe place where they will not be harmed by weather – or critters looking to make a warm home for winter.

  1. Clean the Fireplace

Fireplaces and chimneys should be cleaned and inspected by a professional once a year before use. Blocked or dirty chimneys cause millions of dollars in damages annually. To prevent a house fire, follow these chimney safety tips. Don’t forget to make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

 

Winter Auto Maintenance Tips

  1. Do Routine Maintenance

In cold weather tire pressure decreases. With every 10 degree drop in temperature, tires lose about a pound of pressure. Be sure to monitor and adjust tire pressure regularly. Additionally, batteries lose power and motor-oil thickens up, so it is important to get your car fully serviced and inspected before extended periods of cooler temperatures.

  1. Make Necessary Changes

 You don’t want to get stuck in the snow and ice, so it’s a good idea to check road conditions before getting behind the wheel. Consider switching to snow tires or using tire chains. If you have a new driver at home, be sure to help them get acclimated to the differences in the way the vehicle handles in winter weather conditions.  

  1. Keep Fuels Full

Keep coolant (anti-freeze) and gasoline as full as possible. The more gasoline in your tank, the less water can get in and freeze. This is beneficial, especially if you get stuck. Coolant will help your engine from freezing up and prevent corrosion. It is recommended to use a 50/50-mix of anti-freeze and water.

  1. Invest in a Winter Wiper Fluid

During the winter you need a wiper fluid that will not only keep your windshield clean, but will also help it defrost. A  De-Icer wiper fluid is designed specifically for winter, removes frost and ice quickly, and protects against freezing down to -27 degrees F. Of course, make sure your windshield wipers are in good condition and replace if needed.

  1. Have an Emergency Kit

Even with maintenance and taking every safety precaution, you can’t predict the unpredictable. That is why you should keep an emergency kit full of helpful supplies with you in your car at all times. The kit should include a flashlight, blanket, lighter, food, water, windshield scraper, wireless charger, and other supplies you would need to survive for an extended period of time.

 

Related Articles:

Winter Driving Safety

8 Winter Driving Tips for New Drivers

Getting More Traction: Best Tires for Winter

 

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.